Study on plant concept for Gas Cooled Fast Reactor

Moribe, Takeshi; Kubo, Shigenobu ; Saigusa, Toshiie; Konomura, Mamoru

In "Feasibility Study on Commercialized Fast Reactor Cycle System", technological options including various coolant (sodium, heavy metal, gas, water, etc.), fuel type (MOX, metal, nitride) and output power are considered and classified, and commercialized FBR that have economical cost equal to LWR are pursued. In FY2003, in order to define the prospect for technical feasibility of the helium gas cooled FR using coated particle fuel (He GFR), which has been selected as a prospective concept in FY2001, the preliminary conceptual designs of the core and plant are conducted, and a concept of gas cooled plant is established and data required for the interim evaluation of Phase 2 are prepared. This report summarizes the results of the plant design study and the preparation of data for "Multi-Criteria Evaluation" in FY2003. The result of study: (1)The plant specifications and main equipment concept design were studied for preliminary plant design. In this study, effectiveness of the thermal insulators in the reactor structure, seismic evaluation of the gas turbines and integrity of structure in the core catcher were studied. The plant layout was reviewed based on the results of plant designs. (2)The result of study for the preparation of data for "Multi-Criteria Evaluation" : ISI procedure (draft) for the primary system equipment of He GFR was set up, and the inspection processes were reviewed, according to the ISI standard for LWR. The amount of wastes produced in decommissioning and operation was roughly estimated.Major R&D items concerning the He GFR plant design were proposed including the required methods and schedules. (3)The data required for construction cost evaluation was prepared, and the construction cost of He GCR was 10% above the target cost.