A Superheated Boiling Water Reactor with Annular Fuel Elements

摘要

Nuclear superheat is an attractive approach to appreciably increase thermal efficiency of BWRs, lower the cost of generating electricity, improve fuel utilization and reduce spent fuel production.rnAn innovative design of a superheated BWR is introduced. The proposed design employs annular fuel rods which can be cooled internally by steam and externally by water coolant. This feature avoids the insulation and moderation problems, which are the most challenging parts for the older superheat reactor concepts.rnThe improved water chemistry, stronger computational capability, better understanding in the neutronic and thermal-hydraulic principles will all help to develop an optimal design. The proposed innovative A-SBWR concept appears promising for further studies and optimization.