Assessment and Management of Ageing of Major Nuclear Power Plant Components Important to Safety: BWR Pressure Vessel Internals

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Assessment and Management of Ageing of Major Nuclear Power Plant Components Important to Safety: BWR Pressure Vessel Internals IAEA-TECDOC-1471 Assessment and management of ageing of major nuclear power plant components important to safety: BWR pressure vessel internals October 2005 IAEA SAFETY RELATED PUBLICATIONS IAEA SAFETY STANDARDS Under the terms of Article III of its Statute, the IAEA is authorized to establish or adopt standards of safety for protection of health and minimization of danger to life and property, and to provide for the application of these standards. The publications by means of which the IAEA establishes standards are issued in the IAEA Safety Standards Series. This series covers nuclear safety, radiation safety, transport safety and waste safety, and also general safety (i.e. all these areas of safety). The publication categories in the series are Safety Fundamentals, Safety Requirements and Safety Guides. Safety standards are coded according to their coverage: nuclear safety (NS), radiation safety (RS), transport safety (TS), waste safety (WS) and general safety (GS). Information on the IAEA’s safety standards programme is available at the IAEA Internet site http://www-ns.iaea.org/standards/ The site provides the texts in English of published and draft safety standards. The texts of safety standards issued in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish, the IAEA Safety Glossary and a status report for safety standards under development are also available. For further information, please contact the IAEA at P.O. Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria. All users of IAEA safety standards are invited to inform the IAEA of experience in their use (e.g. as a basis for national regulations, for safety reviews and for training courses) for the purpose of ensuring that they continue to meet users’ needs. Information may be provided via the IAEA Internet site or by post, as above, or by e-mail to [email protected]. OTHER SAFETY RELATED PUBLICATIONS The IAEA provides for the application of the standards and, under the terms of Articles III and VIII.C of its Statute, makes available and fosters the exchange of information relating to peaceful nuclear activities and serves as an intermediary among its Member States for this purpose. Reports on safety and protection in nuclear activities are issued in other publications series, in particular the Safety Reports Series. Safety Reports provide practical examples and detailed methods that can be used in support of the safety standards. Other IAEA series of safety related publications are the Provision for the Application of Safety Standards Series, the Radiological Assessment Reports Series and the International Nuclear Safety Group’s INSAG Series. The IAEA also issues reports on radiological accidents and other special publications. Safety related publications are also issued in the Technical Reports Series, the IAEA-TECDOC Series, the Training Course Series and the IAEA Services Series, and as Practical Radiation Safety Manuals and Practical Radiation Technical Manuals. Security related publications are issued in the IAEA Nuclear Security Series. IAEA-TECDOC-1471 Assessment and management of ageing of major nuclear power plant components important to safety: BWR pressure vessel internals October 2005 The originating Section of this publication in the IAEA was: Engineering Safety Section International Atomic Energy Agency Wagramer Strasse 5 P.O. Box 100 A-1400 Vienna, Austria ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF AGEING OF MAJOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANT COMPONENTS IMPORTANT TO SAFETY: BWR PRESSURE VESSEL INTERNALS IAEA, VIENNA, 2005 IAEA-TECDOC-1471 ISBN 92–0–109205–9 ISSN 1011–4289 © IAEA, 2005 Printed by the IAEA in Austria October 2005 FOREWORD At present, there are over four hundred operational nuclear power plants (NPPs) in IAEA Member States. Operating experience has shown that ineffective control of the ageing degradation of the major NPP components (caused for instance by unanticipated phenomena and by operating maintenance or manufacturing errors) can jeopardize plant safety and also plant life. Ageing in these NPPs must be therefore effectively managed to ensure the availability of design functions throughout the plant service life. From the safety perspective, this means controlling, within acceptable limits, the ageing degradation and wareout of components important to safety so that adequate safety margins remain, i.e. integrity and functional capability in excess of normal operating requirements. This TECDOC is one in a series of guidance reports on the assessment and management of ageing of the major NPP components important to safety. The reports are based on experience and practices of NPP operators, regulators, designers, manufacturers, and technical support organizations and a widely accepted Methodology for the Management of Ageing of NPP Components Important to Safety, which was issued by the IAEA in 1992. Since the reports are written from a safety perspective, they do not address life or life cycle management of plant components, which involves economic considerations. The current practices for the assessment of safety margins (fitness for service) and the inspection, monitoring and mitigation of ageing degradation of selected components of heavy water moderated reactors (HWRs), boiling water reactors (BWRs), pressurized water reactors (PWRs), and water moderated, water cooled energy reactors (WWERs) are documented in the reports. These practices are intended to help all involved directly and indirectly in ensuring the safe operation of NPPs, and also to provide a common technical basis for dialogue between plant operators and regulators when dealing with age related licensing issues. The guidance reports are directed at technical experts from NPPs and from regulatory, plant design, manufacturing and technical support organizations dealing with specific plant components addressed in the reports. The report addresses the reactor pressure vessel internals in BWRs. Maintaining the structural integrity of these reactor pressure vessel internals throughout NPP service life, in spite of several ageing mechanisms, is essential for plant safety. The work of all contributors to the drafting and review of this publication, identified at the end, is greatly appreciated. In particular, the IAEA would like to acknowledge the contributions of J.P. Higgins, M. Erve, J. Pachner, J. Hakala, B. Kastner, C. Dillmann, T. Mulford and Y. Motora. The IAEA officer responsible for this report was T. Inagaki of the Division of Nuclear Installation Safety. EDITORIAL NOTE The use of particular designations of countries or territories does not imply any judgement by the publisher, the IAEA, as to the legal status of such countries or territories, of their authorities and institutions or of the delimitation of their boundaries. The mention of names of specific companies or products (whether or not indicated as registered) does not imply any intention to infringe proprietary rights, nor should it be construed as an endorsement or recommendation on the part of the IAEA. CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Background ........................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Objective ............................................................................................................... 2 1.3. Scope ..................................................................................................................... 3 1.4. Structure ................................................................................................................ 3 References to Section 1................................................................................................... 4 2. DESCRIPTION OF RPVIS ........................................................................................... 5 2.1. Description ............................................................................................................ 6 2.1.1. Core plate................................................................................................ 6 2.1.2. Core plate ∆P/standby liquid control (SLC) line .................................... 6 2.1.3. Core spray piping .................................................................................... 6 2.1.4. Core spray sparger................................................................................... 7 2.1.5. Reactor water cleanup (RWCU) return sparger ...................................... 7 2.1.6. Control rod guide tube ............................................................................ 7 2.1.7. CRD Housing.......................................................................................... 7 2.1.8. Feedwater sparger ................................................................................... 8 2.1.9. In-core housing........................................................................................ 8 2.1.10. Internal recirculation pump ..................................................................... 8 2.1.11. Jet pump.................................................................................................. 9 2.1.12. LPCI coupling ....................................................................................... 10 2.1.13. Neutron source holders ......................................................................... 10 2.1.14. Orificed fuel support ............................................................................. 10 2.1.15. Core shroud..........................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Light Water Reactor System Designed to Minimize Environmental Burden of Radioactive Waste
    Hitachi Review Vol. 63 (2014), No. 9 602 Featured Articles Light Water Reactor System Designed to Minimize Environmental Burden of Radioactive Waste Tetsushi Hino, Dr. Sci. OVERVIEW: One of the problems with nuclear power generation is the Masaya Ohtsuka, Dr. Eng. accumulation in radioactive waste of the long-lived TRUs generated as Kumiaki Moriya byproducts of the fission of uranium fuel. Hitachi is developing a nuclear reactor that can burn TRU fuel and is based on a BWR design that is Masayoshi Matsuura already in use in commercial reactors. Achieving the efficient fission of TRUs requires that the spectrum of neutron energies in the nuclear reactor be modified to promote nuclear reactions by these elements. By taking advantage of one of the features of BWRs, namely that their neutron energy spectrum is more easily controlled than that of other reactor types, the new reactor combines effective use of resources with a reduction in the load on the environment by using TRUs as fuel that can be repeatedly recycled to burn these elements up. This article describes the concept behind the INTRODUCTION RBWR along with the progress of its development, NUCLEAR power generation has an important role to as well as its specifications and features. play in both energy security and reducing emissions of carbon dioxide. One of its problems, however, is the accumulation in radioactive waste from the long- RBWR CONCEPT lived transuranium elements (TRUs) generated as Plutonium Breeding Reactor byproducts of the fission of uranium fuel. The TRUs The original concept on which the RBWR is based include many different isotopes with half-lives ranging was the plutonium generation boiling water reactor from hundreds to tens of thousands of years or more.
    [Show full text]
  • Possibility of Deuteron Disintegration in Condensed Matter, a Review
    POSSIBILITY OF DEUTERON DISINTEGRATION IN CONDENSED MATTER, A REVIEW © M. Ragheb 1/16/2021 “Discovery consists of seeing what everyone has seen, and thinking what no one has thought.” Albert Szent-Gyorgi, 1937 Nobel Laureate in Physio;ogy/ Medicine “If we all worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true is really true, There would be little hope of advance.” Orville Wright "I may disagree with what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it." Voltaire, French writer, philosopher and historian “La vérité est en marche, et rien ne l’arrêtera.” Emile Zola “Rien ne peut arrêter une idée don’t l’heure est venue.” Victor Hugo “We wish to pursue the truth, no matter where it leads. But to find the truth, we need imagination and skepticism, both. We will not be afraid to speculate, but we will be careful to distinguish speculation from fact.” “Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” Carl Sagan, Astronomer, ‘Cosmos’ “The miracle is not how well the bear waltzes, but that it can waltz at all.” PT Barnum “There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” Aristotle. Greek philosopher “I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty six times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Michael Jordan, USA Basketball Champion “It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble.
    [Show full text]
  • Doe Nuclear Physics Reactor Theory Handbook
    DOE-HDBK-1019/2-93 JANUARY 1993 DOE FUNDAMENTALS HANDBOOK NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND REACTOR THEORY Volume 2 of 2 U.S. Department of Energy FSC-6910 Washington, D.C. 20585 Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. This document has been reproduced directly from the best available copy. Available to DOE and DOE contractors from the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, P.O. Box 62, Oak Ridge, TN 37831. Available to the public from the National Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal., Springfield, VA 22161. Order No. DE93012223 DOE-HDBK-1019/1-93 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND REACTOR THEORY ABSTRACT The Nuclear Physics and Reactor Theory Handbook was developed to assist nuclear facility operating contractors in providing operators, maintenance personnel, and the technical staff with the necessary fundamentals training to ensure a basic understanding of nuclear physics and reactor theory. The handbook includes information on atomic and nuclear physics; neutron characteristics; reactor theory and nuclear parameters; and the theory of reactor operation. This information will provide personnel with a foundation for understanding the scientific principles that are associated with various DOE nuclear facility operations and maintenance. Key Words: Training Material, Atomic Physics, The Chart of the Nuclides, Radioactivity, Radioactive Decay, Neutron Interaction, Fission, Reactor Theory, Neutron Characteristics, Neutron Life Cycle, Reactor Kinetics Rev. 0 NP DOE-HDBK-1019/1-93 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND REACTOR THEORY FOREWORD The Department of Energy (DOE) Fundamentals Handbooks consist of ten academic subjects, which include Mathematics; Classical Physics; Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Fluid Flow; Instrumentation and Control; Electrical Science; Material Science; Mechanical Science; Chemistry; Engineering Symbology, Prints, and Drawings; and Nuclear Physics and Reactor Theory.
    [Show full text]
  • Responds to NRC 840504 Ltr Re Violations Noted in IE
    - , . , . Georgia Institute of Technology SCHOOL OF NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND HEALTH PHYSICS R ATLANTA. GEORGIA 30332 ' & " ' NEELY NUCLEAR RESEAACH e (404)094-3800 CENTER May 25, 1984 Mr. David M. Verrelli, Chief Reactor Projects Branch U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Region II 101 Marietta Street, N.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Subject: Inspection Report No. 50-276/84-02 | Dear Mr. Verrelli: | This letter is my response to the referenced inspection of the Georgia Tech AGN-201 reactor on April 11-12, 1984. 1 Enclosed is a copy of the Dismantling and Disposal Plan for I the AGN-201 which I sent to Mr. Cecil 0. Thomas of NRC for ! approval. This plan was reviewed and approved by the I.uclear Safeguards Committee of Georgia Tech (see appended letter). Immediately following approval of this plan by NRC, Georgia Tech will proceed to dismantle and dispose of the AGN-201. Item: The proposed emergency plan has not been appro- priately revised to reflect changes in the onsite emergency response organization for the AGN-201. The revised emergency procedures for the AGN-201 are appended. The telephone numbers of the emetgency director and all support organizations ..ce now available in the Nuclear Engineering Program Office. Item: No radiological exercise has been conducted since September 9, 1980 when Grady Meuorial llospital participated with the licensee in a drill involving a simulated personnel contamination problem. An emergency drill involving personnel contamination problem 1lospital.is being planned for the summer of 1984 in conjunction with Grady Item: Update agreement with Grady llospital and provide l'n emergency plan for biennial review and periodic update.
    [Show full text]
  • Consolidated Safety Analysis Report for IF-300 Shipping Cask
    REVISION CONTROL SHEET TITLE: Consolidated Safety DOCUMENT NO.: NEDO-10084 Analysis Report for IF-300 Shipping Cask AFFECTED | DOC. REMARKS PAGE(S) I REV. I __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .I.I by General Electric Company. 1-i 3 Last revision prepared Incorporates all C of C 9001, Revision 29 references 1-1 & 1-2 2-i & 2-ii From 2/8/84 through 5/10/85. A vertical line on the right hand margin indicates a 2-1 - 2-15 Revision. "N" denotes new information while "E" 3-i & 3-ii Denotes an editorial change. 3-1 - 3-16 4-i - 4-ii 4-1 - 4-21 5-i - 5-vi 5-1 - 5-311 6-i - 6-iv U 6-1 - 6-82 7-i - 7-ii 7-1 - 7-22 8-i & 8-ii 8-1 - 8-22 n 9-i & 9-ii 9-1 - 9-6 10-i & 10-ii 10-1 - 10-15 A-i & A-ii V1-i - V1-iv V1-1 - V1-52 V1-A-i/ii V1-A-1 - V1 -A- 3 Vl-B-i/ii V1-B-1 & V1-B-2 Vi-C-i/ii V1-C-1 - 1 of 4 V1-C-8 PAGE J. I 9906220178 990608 PDR ADOCK 07109001 iii-1 B PDR REVISION CONTROL SHEET TITLE: Consolidated Safety DOCUMENT NO.: NEDO-10084 Analysis Report for IF-300 Shipping Cask AFFECTED DOC. REMARKS PAGE(S) REV. Vl-D-i - 3 Vl-D-vi Vl-D-1 - Vl-D-132 Vl-E-i & Vl-E-ii V1-E-l - V1-E-34 U V2-i - V2-iv V2-1 - V2-64 V3-i - V3-iv V3-1 - V3-32 VI-i & VI-ii VI-1 - VI-6 i - viii First revision prepared by VECTRA Technologies, Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • Fuel Burnup Simulation and Analysis of the Missouri S&T Reactor
    Scholars' Mine Masters Theses Student Theses and Dissertations Spring 2018 Fuel burnup simulation and analysis of the Missouri S&T Reactor Joshua Hinkle Rhodes Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses Part of the Nuclear Engineering Commons Department: Recommended Citation Rhodes, Joshua Hinkle, "Fuel burnup simulation and analysis of the Missouri S&T Reactor" (2018). Masters Theses. 7780. https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/7780 This thesis is brought to you by Scholars' Mine, a service of the Missouri S&T Library and Learning Resources. This work is protected by U. S. Copyright Law. Unauthorized use including reproduction for redistribution requires the permission of the copyright holder. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FUEL BURNUP SIMULATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE MISSOURI S&T REACTOR by JOSHUA HINKLE RHODES A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the MISSOURI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NUCLEAR ENGINEERING 2018 Approved by Ayodeji B. Alajo, Advisor Gary E. Mueller Joseph Graham ii iii ABSTRACT The purpose of this work is to simulate the fuel burnup of the Missouri S&T Reactor. This work was accomplished using the Monte Carlo software MCNP. The primary core configurations of MSTR were modeled and the power history was used to determine the input parameters for the burnup simulation. These simulations were run to determine the burnup for each fuel element used in the core of MSTR. With these simulations, the new predicted isotopic compositions were added into the model.
    [Show full text]
  • Fundamentals of Boiling Water Reactor (Bwr)
    FUNDAMENTALS OF BOILING In this light a general description of BWR is presented, with emphasis on the reactor physics aspects (first lecture), and a survey of methods applied in fuel WATER REACTOR (BWR) and core design and operation is presented in order to indicate the main features of the calculation^ tools (second lecture). The third and fourth lectures are devoted to a review of BWR design bases, S. BOZZOLA reactivity requirements, reactivity and power control, fuel loading patternc. Moreover, operating 'innts are reviewed, as the actual limits during power AMN Ansaldo Impianti, operation and constraints for reactor physics analyses (design and operation). Genoa, The basic elements of core management are also presented. The constraints on control rod movements during the achieving of criticality Italy and low power operation are illustrated in the fifth lecture. The banked position withdrawal sequence mode of operation is indeed an example of safety and design/operation combined approach. Some considerations on plant transient analyses are also presented in the fifth lecture, in order to show the impact Abstract between core and fuel performance and plant/system performance. The last (sixth) lecture is devoted to the open vessel testing during the These lectures on fundamentals of BWR reactor physics are a synthesis startup of a commercial BWR. A control .od calibration is also illustrated. of known and established concepts. These lecture are intended to be a comprehensive (even though descriptive in nature) presentation, which would give the basis for a fair understanding of power operation, fuel cycle and safety aspects of the boiling water reactor. The fundamentals of BWR reactor physics are oriented to design and operation.
    [Show full text]
  • F. SILENE Reactor: Results of Selected Typical
    Table 8. Characteristicsof the First Pulse of the Experiments inthe 300-m-dim Cylinder. Time to Solution Rateof Minimum Peak of Height at Volume at Reactivity Doubling Inverse Specific Energy Experiment Pulsea Peak Power Peak Power Addition Time Period in Pulse Number set cm (liter) (dollars/set) set see-' (10'" fissions/cm3) CRAC 01 232 329 226 o.oo341 2.9 0.24 1.2 CRAC02 72 255 173 -- 0.18 3*9 1.0 CRAC03 427 274 186 o.oo141 0.138 0.93 CRAC04 197 331 225 0.00391 3':; 0.216 1.0 CRAC05 21.6 82.2 56.0 0.0667 0.060 11.6 l-1 CRACOG 22.8 82.4 56.2 0.0740 0.050 13*9 1.2 CRAC07 3.9 29-7 20.5 0.786 0.00157 442 .2.0 cruw 08 29.3 20.3 0.746 0.00069 1004 4.0 CRAC09 24' 47.1 32-3 0.247 0.015 46 1.4 CRAC 10 6.6 44 .o 30.2 0.0772 0.0176 39.4 1.4 CRAC il -a -- -- mm CRAC 12 ii; iii.3 ;;.8 0.0156 o-275 2.52 1.2 CRAC13 7*5 53.3 36.5 0.157 0.012 T-7 1.4 CRAC14 12.0 4 5.4 31*1 0.0992 0.049 14.1 l-3 CRAC15 4.0 43.6 29-9 o-253 0.033 20.8 1.2 CRAC 16 11.2 44.1 3o*3 0.0755 0.242 2.86 l-2 CRAC17 11-7 44.3 30.4 0.0820 0.177 3.92 1.2 CRAC18 43.8 43.8 30*1 0.0168 0.2 l-33 1.2 cw 19 16.2 44.9 30.8 0.0870 0.036 19.2 1.1 $g CRAC20.1 2.2 28.4 19-i 0.674 0.0061 114 1.0 $ CRACCRAC!20.320.2 2.2 28.4 19.7 0.684 0.0063 ll0 1.1 2.4 28.6 19.8 0.691 0.0066 lo5 1.0 CRAC20.4 3*4 29.2 20.2 0.685 0.00118 587 2.9 CRAC 20.5 2-5 28.5 19.7 0.616 0.00~ I20 1.1 CRAC!21 17.0 45.4 31* 1 o.o833 0.032 21.6 1.0 CRAC 22 4.6 28.9 20.0 0.501 0.00147 471 2.1 CRAC 23 4.6 39.6 27.2 0.310 o.oog.3 I20 1.6 cwic 24 -- -- me es -- CRAC25 ii.0 22.2 0.871 0.00153 4;; l-7 CRAC 26 78.: 33.6 23.1 0.638 0.0027 252 l-7 CRAC27 I+:7 41.3 28.4 o-315 0.032 56 1.2 CRAC28 8.8 42.3 29.1 0.226 0.011 63 l-3 CRAC 29 44.
    [Show full text]
  • Tracg Analysis of Boiling Water Reactor Control Rod Drop Accident to Optimize Analysis Methodology
    TRACG ANALYSIS OF BOILING WATER REACTOR CONTROL ROD DROP ACCIDENT TO OPTIMIZE ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY D. Miranda*, C. McElroy, D. G. Vreeland, J. Yang, J. Banfield, and J. Vedovi GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy 3901 Castle Hayne Road, Wilmington, NC 28402, USA [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] ABSTRACT During transient events, it is important to confirm that the plant maintains compliance to regulatory standards that provide safety criteria to prevent the release of fission products. The design basis Reactivity Insertion Accident (RIA) considered for Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) is the Control Rod Drop Accident (CRDA). During this postulated scenario, a control blade becomes decoupled from the control rod drive mechanism as the drive is withdrawn and remains lodged in place. At a later time, the blade falls out to the position of the drive causing a reactivity insertion into the core. This leads to a power excursion and terminates due to the Doppler Effect or upon completion of the SCRAM. Many BWR plants adopt a Banked Position Withdrawal Sequence (BPWS) methodology that was developed to minimize the control rod worth and mitigate the consequences of the CRDA event. The BPWS methodology places restrictions on control rod movement to ensure that no CRDA could exceed the applicable event limits by reducing the incremental control rod reactivity worth to acceptable values. In this paper, the best estimate model code TRACG, the GE Hitachi (GEH) Nuclear Energy proprietary version of the Transient Reactor Analysis Code, TRAC, is used to model CRDA event to ensure that the plant is compliant with the new more restrictive regulatory standards.
    [Show full text]
  • Occupational Exposure at Nuclear Power Plants in Tarragona Spain in April 2000
    INFORMATION SYSTEM ON OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE Ninth Annual Report OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES AT NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS 1999 ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT Pursuant to Article 1 of the Convention signed in Paris on 14th December 1960, and which came into force on 30th September 1961, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shall promote policies designed: - to achieve the highest sustainable economic growth and employment and a rising standard of living in Member countries, while maintaining financial stability, and thus to contribute to the development of the world economy; - to contribute to sound economic expansion in Member as well as non-member countries in the process of economic development; and - to contribute to the expansion of world trade on a multilateral, non-discriminatory basis in accordance with international obligations. The original Member countries of the OECD are Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. The following countries became Members subsequently through accession at the dates indicated hereafter: Japan (28th April 1964), Finland (28th January 1969), Australia (7th June 1971), New Zealand (29th May 1973), Mexico (18th May 1994), the Czech Republic (21st December 1995), Hungary (7th May 1996), Poland (22nd November 1996) and the Republic of Korea (12th December 1996). The Commission of the European Communities takes part in the work of the OECD (Article 13 of the OECD Convention). NUCLEAR ENERGY AGENCY The OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) was established on 1st February 1958 under the name of the OEEC European Nuclear Energy Agency.
    [Show full text]
  • BWRX-300 (GE Hitachi and Hitachi GE Nuclear Energy) USA DATE (2019/9/30)
    Status Report – BWRX-300 (GE Hitachi and Hitachi GE Nuclear Energy) USA DATE (2019/9/30) The BWR-300 is the 10th generation Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) crated by GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH). It is a SMR evolution of the ESBWR which is licensed by the US NRC and utilizes many of the components for the operational ABWR. The first BWRX-300s are expected to start construction in in 2024 and 2025 and enter commercial operation in 2027 and 2028. INTRODUCTION Indicate which booklet(s): [ ] Large WCR [√] SMR [ ] FR GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s (GEH’s) BWRX-300 is a designed-to-cost, 300 MWe water- cooled, natural circulation Small Modular Reactor (SMR) utilizing simple, natural phenomena driven safety systems. It is the tenth generation of the Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) and represents the simplest, yet most innovative BWR design since GE, GEH’s predecessor in the nuclear business, began developing nuclear reactors in 1955. The BWRX-300 is an evolution of the U.S. NRC-licensed, 1,520 MWe ESBWR. It is designed to provide clean, flexible energy generation that is cost competitive with natural gas fired plants. Target applications include base load electricity generation, load following electrical generation within a range of 50 to 100% power and district heating. GEH, a world-leading provider of advanced reactor technology and nuclear services, is a global alliance created by the General Electric Company (GE) and Hitachi, Ltd. to serve the global nuclear industry. Development Milestones 2014 ESBWR DCD Issued 2017 BWRX-300 Evolution from ESBWR
    [Show full text]
  • Phenomenological Modelling of Molten Salt Reactors with Coupled Point Nuclear Reactor Kinetics and Thermal Hydraulic Feedback Models
    Phenomenological Modelling of Molten Salt Reactors with Coupled Point Nuclear Reactor Kinetics and Thermal Hydraulic Feedback Models Industrial Supervisors: Academic Supervisors: Prof. Alan Copestake Dr Matthew Eaton (principal) Mr. Chris Jackson Prof. Berend van Wachem (co-supervisor) Dr. Vittorio Badalassi (former) Author: Gareth Owen Morgan Department of Mechanical Engineering A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and the Diploma of Imperial College London September 2018 2 Abstract The Molten Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) was a small circulating fuel reactor operated at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) between 1965 and 1969. To do date it remains the only molten salt reactor (MSR) that has been operated for extended periods, on diverse nuclear fuels. Reactor physics in MSRs differs from conventional solid-fuelled reactors due to the circulation of hot fuel and delayed neutron precursors (DNPs) in the primary circuit. This alters the steady state and time-dependent behaviours of the system. A coupled point kinetic-thermal hydraulic feedback model of an MSRE-like system was con- structed in order to investigate the effect of uncertainties in the values of key physical parameters on the model's response to step and ramp reactivity insertions. This information was used to de- termine the parameters that affected the steady state condition and transient behaviours. The model was also used to investigate features identified in the frequency response, in particular a feature corresponding to fuel recirculation. Greater than expected mixing in the primary circuit has been previously proposed as an explanation for the lack of observation of this feature.
    [Show full text]