Thermal Power Uprating of CANDU Reactor

Abstract

Power uprating is an effective means for reducing the specific capital cost and hence the unit energy cost of CANDU reactors. It entails increasing the power output without necessarily increasing the size of the reactor core, or the size of pumps and steam generators or the size of the reactor building. Essentially the Nuclear Steam Plant (NSP) would be designed to produce more power with minimal increase in capital cost. Reactor power density is limited by fuel and pressure tube performance during normal operation, by safety considerations and by heat transport from the fuel and fuel channel. Some indication is given on the directions for improvement in all these areas but the paper concentrates on opportunities which exist for improving heat transport. A potential is seen for future ratings 20 to 40% above the level given in a companion paper, which describes a CANDU 600 design producing 17% more power than Pt. Lepreau-1.