Testing of Ultrafiltration Membranes for Application in Generation IV - Super Critical Water Reactor

Abstract

The conceptual Supercritical Water Reactor (SCWR) uses supercritical water as the working fluid. SCWRs are designed for operating at high pressures and temperatures in order to achieve a higher thermal efficiency of about 45% vs. about 33% for Light Water Reactors (LWRs). It is expected that methods for purifying the corrosion products from SCW are required, including ultrafiltration of corrosion products particulates. We have now undertaken some experiments to test the stability of several filter membranes at high pressures and temperatures for application in the potential GEN-IV plant. A SCW flow set-up has been built. Initial microscopic analysis of the membranes has been performed and the results of this work are presented here.