WWER-1000 reactors containers

The project of BRUS-150 integral type reactor of 500 MW thermal power and 150 MW electric power has been developed. The core, steam generators, pumps and all lead-bismuth loops are located in the reactor vessel, so that leak-proof vessel contains total amount of lead-bismuth. BRUS-150 reactor can be also used for transmutation of minor actinides accumulated in WWER type reactors and for utilization of weapon grade plutonium (for the main characteristics -see Table 2.2)... 

Typical containers for WWER standard surveillance programmes in WWER-440A/-213 reactor. Dimensions in mm. 

Again, the thermal ageing sets contain 30 containers in five floors and are located in the upper part of the reactor in front of head flange ring. Such a design solves the problem of high lead factor (as in WWER-440), but results in several new ones, principally ... 

For plants under construction, a modification of the surveillance programme is considered. Specimen containers will be located in positions representative of vessel wall conditions at Temelin NPP. Based on the fracture mechanics analysis, it was recommended to heat up the accumulator water to 5S°C and to prevent injection of ECCS water with temperatures below 20°C for all the plants. The use of low leakage core loading patterns in WWER-1000 reactors would reduce RPV wall fluence by approximately 30%. It was planned to introduce partial low leakage loading patterns at some plants during 1994 (fuel assemblies with high bumup to be placed at the core periphery). 

FIG. 1. Safety systems of the reactor WWER-640 1 Lower plenum, 2 Reactor core, 3 Upper plenum 4 Reactor cavity, 5,6 Fuel storage pools, 7 Steam and non-condensable gases, 8 Emergency pool, 9 Containment shroud, 10 Heat removal system. 

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