Insights from the design development process of the Circulating Cooling Water System for a Small Modular Reactor

Abstract

Ontario Power Generation is constructing a GE Hitachi BWRX 300 Small Modular Reactor at the Darlington site, within the Municipality of Clarington, Ontario, Canada. This new nuclear plant employs a Once Through Cooling (OTC) system for its Circulating Cooling Water (CCW) infrastructure, encompassing forebay, outfall shaft, intake structure and tunnels. This study focuses on the constructability and value engineering aspects that were implemented for the CCW System. Several engineering evaluation sessions involving Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and project partners were conducted. Key considerations for the review and analysis included Lake Ontario water levels, marine and wave climate, geotechnical site characterization, schedule optimization, cost reduction, and environmental requirements. This paper presents insights into optimizing the design and operation of the CCW System, crucial for the efficiency and reliability of the nuclear plant’s cooling system.