Suggestions for rationalization of building parts of WWER-1000 nuclear power plants

Problems associated with the preparation of a new-generation design of WWER type NPPs, and the feasibility of launching this new series in Czechoslovakia are discussed. Some concepts are developed and suggestions are made with respect to novel design features in the building part: use of cooling towers whose capacity would match a 1000 MW unit each, wider application of monolithic concrete, substitution of some of the steel lining with plastics coating of the concrete surface, use of reinforced concrete tubes in the main cooling circuit, and fitting the reactor with double containment. These are preliminary suggestions; three things must be available for a good definition of the necessary innovations in the building part and for a preliminary economic assessment of the contributions, viz., a schedule of construction of new WWER type NPPs in Czechoslovakia, a conception of the new-generation reactor unit in conjunction with a realistic estimate of its launching in that country, and information concerning expected innovations at Czechoslovak NPPs under construction prior to the launching of the new-generation units. (Z.S.)