Supercritical Water Problem Review on SCWR Reactor Type

The SCWR (Supercritical Water Cooled Reactor) has been reviewed to use for the next generation power reactor in the world. This type of power reactor utilizes supercritical water as a coolant and a heat transfer removal. Supercritical water is water which operated in high temperature and pressure, the pressure is above 22.1 MPa, and the temperature is above 374 °C. By using this supercritical water the thermal efficiency is higher than Light Water Reactor in general. The thermal efficiency of SCWR is 40% comparing to LWR that only 30%. The properties of water is rapidly changing due to the supercritical point, this condition affects to chemistry and corrosion on the material its surrounding. The parameter should be reviewed on supercritical water are water radiolysis, material integrity, high temperature corrosion, heat transfer and thermal hydraulics phenomenon, fuel characteristic etc. In this paper will discuss the water properties changes on the supercritical point of temperature and pressure and its effect to the material integrity. Advanced assessment about material related the corrosion problem is required. (author)