Development of predictable technology for thermal/hydraulic performance of reduced-moderation water reactors, 1; Master plan

Onuki, Akira; Takase, Kazuyuki; Kureta, Masatoshi; Yoshida, Hiroyuki; Tamai, Hidesada; Liu, W.; Akimoto, Hajime

Nihon Kikai Gakkai 2003-Nendo Nenji Taikai Koen Rombunshu, Vol.3, p.247 - 248, 2003/08

We start R&D project to develop the predictable technology for thermal-hydraulic performance of Reduced-Moderation Water Reactor (RMWR) in collaboration with power company/reactor vendor/university since 2002. The RMWR can attain the favorable characteristics such as effective utilization of uranium resources, multiple recycling of plutonium, high burn-up and long operation cycle, based on matured BWR technologies. MOX fuel assemblies with tight lattice arrangement are used to increase the conversion ratio by reducing the moderation of neutron energy. Increasing the in-core void fraction also contributes to the reduction of neutron moderation. The confirmation of thermal-hydraulic feasibility is one of the most important R&D items for the RMWR because of the tight lattice configuration. This series presentation focuses on the feasibility study and shows the R&D plan using large-scale test facility and advanced numerical simulation technology.