Design concept of a supercritical-water-cooled fast breeder reactor

The design concept of a direct-cycle supercritical-water-cooled fast breeder reactor is presented. The supercritical water does not exhibit a change of phase. The recirculation system, steam separator and dryer of a BWR are unnecessary. Roughly speaking the reactor pressure vessel and control rods are similar to those of a PWR, the containment and ECCS to a BWR and the balance of plant to a supercritical-pressure fossil-fired power plant. The reactor power is 1245MWe, but the number of coolant enthalpy. Containment volume is much reduced. The thermal efficiency is improved 24% over a BWR. The compound system doubling time is 25 years. The coolant void reactivity is negative by placing thin zirconium-hydride layers between seeds and blankets. The power cost would be much reduced compared with those of an LWR and an LMFBR. The concept based on the huge experience of a water coolant technology of an LWR and supercritical-fossil-fired power plant (FPP). The oxidation of stainless steel cladding can be avoided by adopting the much lower coolant temperature than that of a FPP. The reactor would be the direction of future LWR development