SPWR reactor system description and development

The SPWR (System-integrated PWR) employs a new concept which can provide highly passive safety, easy operation/maintenance and economic competitiveness using experience and technology already obtained in the course of the existing LWR development. 

The basic design feature of SPWR is an integrated PWR with poison tanks filled with highly borated water (boric acid water) in place of control rods for reactor shutdown. 

The water-filled containment vessel and the passive engineered safety systems are counted as further distinctive features. 

The SPWR concept could be applied with a wide output range up to 600 MWe. The following descriptions are for a 600 MWe power plant (1,800 MWt). 

The reactor core consists of 199 hexagonal fuel assemblies. Each fuel assembly consists of325 fixel rods with burnable poison similar to that of well established PWRs. The dimensions and composition of the fuel rod are the same as those of the existing PWR. The average power density is designed relatively low, 65 MW/m.  

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