Fast Reactor System Design

herausgegeben von: Naoto Kasahara

Verlag: Springer Singapore

Buchreihe : An Advanced Course in Nuclear Engineering

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik"

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Über dieses Buch

This book describes the fast reactor (FR), a type of new reactor for nuclear plants, currently under research and development. The book targets young researchers and engineers who will be charged with commercializing this new type of reactor to lead to the development of new components and systems for improved plant reliability and economy. This volume also helps readers to understand the methods of integrating the power plant in its entirety, from the reactor core to all of the various systems and components, and teaches the way of thinking that forms the background of these methods. This background includes the various organizational and management issues that are encountered as projects move forward and will be explored in great detail based on actual design and construction experience with Japan’s prototype FR, Monju.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Designing a New Reactor

Abstract

This chapter describes a thinking process that is effective in creating a new reactor system while filling in gaps in knowledge and data between it and commercial reactors. This process analyzes the functional requirements by the system and then hierarchically develops methods to realize these functions from the mechanism level to the structure level. These structures are then integrated into a plant system. This description, however, is simply a logical way to systematically understand the process. The actual design procedure becomes a more complex process of trial and error. This chapter summarizes the process of designing a new type of reactor, and it provides a logical framework for the subsequent chapters.

Naoto Kasahara

Chapter 2. Purpose and History of Fast Reactors

Abstract

This chapter describes the purpose of the FR and gives the history of research and development. It provides the reader with an understanding of how the requirements during the long period of research and development expanded from release from the uranium resource constraint to the reduction of environmental burden caused by high-level radioactive waste. This chapter also presents a general overview of the experience various nations have gained and how their circumstances have changed. This knowledge forms the premise for the determination of the plans and required functions that provide the starting points for system design.

Tsutomu Yanagisawa

Chapter 3. Plant Concepts and Mechanisms

Abstract

This chapter introduces the required functions of the FR, namely, to breed fuel and reduce the toxicity of high-level radioactive waste. It also describes the mechanism of how this is achieved using plutonium and fast neutrons. The use of fast neutrons requires the use of liquid metal sodium as the core coolant. Sodium is also used to transport heat from the reactor core to the steam turbine which results in a unique design condition under which the entire plant becomes a elevated-temperature, low-pressure system.

Masakazu Ichimiya

Chapter 4. Policy of Safety Assurance (Design Constraints and Additional Functional Requirements)

Abstract

This chapter discusses the assurance of safety, which is particularly important for nuclear power plants. This becomes a design constraint and requires additional functions. This chapter first presents an overview of the basics of safety assurance for all nuclear reactors and then discusses the characteristics of the FR and the basic policies for assuring safety. It specifically describes the handling of core fuel possessing nuclear characteristics differing from that used in light-water reactors, safety measures for plants using sodium, and severe accident measures.

Yoshio Kani

Chapter 5. Mind-Set Required to Ensure Structural Integrity (Design Constraints)

Abstract

The assurance of structural integrity, as discussed in this chapter, is a prerequisite for ensuring safety, and it forms the primary constraint for achieving reliability and economy. This chapter first introduces the mind-set for ensuring the structural integrity of nuclear reactors in general and then discusses the load characteristics under the design conditions unique to FRs, such as high temperature and low pressure, and their related damage/failure modes. It also discusses thermal load and seismic design as measures for maintaining the structural integrity against the damage/failure modes.

Naoto Kasahara, Hiroyuki Ohshima

Chapter 6. System Conceptual Design (From Function to Mechanism)

Abstract

This chapter discusses the method of forming the plant concept. It explains the method employed in designing mechanisms to meet the required functions described in Chap. 3 within the constraints listed in Chaps. 4 and 5 and integrates the mechanisms into a system. At this stage, the outlines and major parameters of each plant subsystem, such as the core, the reactor structure, cooling system, and the fuel handling system, are specified as primary mechanisms. From this, the type of plant that characterizes the big picture formed by the integration of each system will be determined.

Kiyohiko Maeda

Chapter 7. Core and Fuel Design (From Mechanism to Structure)

Abstract

This chapter introduces the procedure and basic concept of nuclear design, thermal hydraulic design, and plant dynamics analysis. The outline of reactor physics and thermal hydraulic engineering are also introduced in the first half of this chapter, and fuel design follows. Fuel irradiation behavior, trend of fuel design, and fuel technical standards are introduced as parts of fuel design. The development of cladding for the improvement of fuel burnup and reliability, fuel physical property measurement, and fuel irradiation testing are introduced as fuel development topics in the second half of this chapter.

Nobuo Nakae, Toshikazu Takeda, Hiroyuki Ohshima

Chapter 8. Plant Component Design (from Mechanism to Structure)

Abstract

Chapter 8 develops each of the mechanisms (systems) discussed in Chap. 6 that form the plant and explains the thinking behind and method of building the specifications and layout of the structures (components) that comprise each subsystem within the constraints discussed in Chaps. 4 and 5. Design samples of the different subsystems introduced in Chap. 6, such as the reactor structure and cooling system, are also discussed together with their background and rationale.

Kiyohiko Maeda, Naoto Kasahara

Chapter 9. Maintenance

Abstract

Maintenance, as discussed in this chapter, is important to ensure the structural integrity and reliability of the plant over its life span by compensating for any uncertainties that require attention when a new reactor is designed. Maintenance is also important for the implementation of improvements to the plant design through operational experience. This chapter first introduces the general thinking behind the maintenance of nuclear power plants (NPPs) and then explains the maintenance typical of fast reactors (FRs) that is characterized by high-temperature low-pressure conditions due to the use of sodium and its respective reactions with air and water. Finally, this chapter discusses the specifics of FR maintenance, operation, inspection, and repair.

Satoru Nakai

Chapter 10. Actual Monju Design

Abstract

This chapter specifically discusses the design experience of Japan’s prototype FR, Monju, as an example of the FR system design discussed in previous chapters. Any actual project will be subject to a number of nontechnological constraints by people and society. Consequently, the project will often not proceed as described in the previous chapters, and this will necessitate a certain amount of trial and error and judgment. The goal of this chapter is to convey actual experience to the next generation of engineers.

Tadao Takahashi

Titel: Fast Reactor System Design
herausgegeben von: Naoto Kasahara
Verlag: Springer Singapore
Electronic ISBN: 978-981-10-2821-2
Print ISBN: 978-981-10-2820-5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2821-2