Core design of a high temperature reactor cooled and moderated by supercritical light water

An SCLWR-H equilibrium core is designed by three-dimensional core calculations. A new square fuel assembly is designed for a reduced local power peaking factor. The fuel assembly burnup calculations and core burnup calculations are carried out in the similar way adopted in BWR core designs. 24 cycles of core burnup calculations are carried out to design an equilibrium core. A fuel load pattern and a control rod pattern scheme are designed so that the reactivity and power distributions are controlled throughout the cycle. In order to maximize the average coolant core outlet temperature, it is important to keep the radial power distribution as flat as possible. The radial power peaking factor of the designed core is 1.27. The coolant core flow rate distribution is adjusted to the radial power distribution by the inlet orifices. The coolant flow rate for the fuel channels enclosed by the orifice is determined by the maximum cladding surface temperature criterion. The average coolant core outlet temperature is 528degC when the coolant flow rate is adjusted to every quarter of the fuel assembly. (author)