Conceptual Design of a Light Water Cooled PHWR

Abstract

A design concept of a new reactor core is proposed as a deuterium moderated pressure tube type light-water cooled reactor (DeMoPTL). Based on the proven technology, reactor coolant system and control system would be the same as those of CANDU except for changes in fuel, coolant and calandria tubes. Slightly enriched UO₂ fuel poisoned with IFBA and light water coolant would give the benefits of reduced spent fuel production, lower tritium buildup and negative temperature feedback. Safety would be enhanced by installing an additional tube outside the calandria tube to add structural reinforcement. Heavy water inside these would work as moderator and an air annulus outside would provide a large channel for emergency shutdown and cooling. Fuel discharge burnup was shown to be doubled with 2.4 w/o enriched uranium fuel and all temperature coefficient were negative. Reactor module calculations done by HELIOS showed a feasibility in nuclear design.