Large Light Water Breeder Reactor Vessel design study: AWBA development program

The purpose of this study is to determine the maximum sized Light Water Breeder Reactor Vessel (LWBR) that is technically feasible and can be designed, shop manufactured, inspected and shipped from a reactor vessel manufacturers plant to a reactor site accessible by navigable waterways. The results of this study indicate that a 279-inch inside diameter reactor vessel with the closure is considered technically feasible. The major factor limiting the size is the shop crane capacity of 1000 tons although the size is also approaching limits in other areas. This report defines the reactor vessel that was developed, discusses the assessments that were made of the manufacturing facility, equipment, fabrication processes, and material supplies capabilities and summarizes the conclusions that were reached as a result of the in-depth feasibility study