Study on a 1200 MWe Simplified LWR Design

Abstract

In 1988, the Japan Atomic Power Company (JAPC) and the Japanese Utilities started two series of studies to modify AP600 and SBWR and accommodate them to the Japanese requirements. We call these plants Simplified Light Water Reactors. In a joint effort to keep nuclear power as an attractive energy option for the future, JAPC has studied to confirm the feasibility of a large sized Simplified Pressurized Water Reactor (SPWR) and Simplified Boiling Water Reactor (JSBWR) in cooperation with the Japanese Utilities and the vendors. Both concepts appear to be feasible though the design and development of some major components are required. The summary results of 1000 MWe Simplified LWRs were reported at the last PBNC meeting in Japan. Since then, the feasibility study of power uprating and alternative system design were proceeded to improve economics. In this paper, the feasibility of 1200 MWe plant, safety features in comparison with the current plant, reduced manpower required at an annual outage, and reduction of plant capital cost are discussed, including: Rationalization of main components such as PCCS pool size reduction by SIPOWER application, elimination of DPVs by adopting accumulators, and reduction of reactor building volume; Scoping safety analyses including small break LOCA, non-small break LOCA and containment analyses to determine feasibility of the uprated design; Nuclear island building layout, equipment general arrangement and associated seismic evaluation; Comparison of plant capital cost, safety and required manpower for operation and maintenance with those of current ones. The overall conclusion are that 1200MWe passive plants, both SPWR and JSBWR, compare favorably to conventional plants.