LMFBR IHX and steam generator operating experience and impact on PFBR design

Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), the next fast reactor of the Department of Atomic Energy is a 500 MWe pool type liquid metal cooled fast breeder reactor (LMFBR). It is designed to operate 2 loops in parallel across the reactor. The main function of the intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) is to extract reactor heat through secondary sodium system. This heat converts the feed water into superheated steam in the tubes of steam generator (SG). Operating experience on IHX has been satisfactory except in one reactor because of design inadequacy and minor incident in other reactor. However, the operating experience of steam generators (SGs) indicate that tube leakage is a serious problem and still remains a matter of concern for capacity factor of the plant. This paper highlights the operating experience of IHXs and SGs and how the lessons learnt from the operating experience have been incorporated in the design of these two components for PFBR. 7 refs., 8 figs