Supercritical Water Reactor: Density & Temperature Impact

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In summary, the conversation discusses the density variation of supercritical water, specifically in relation to the temperature and pressure at which it is used as a coolant and moderator in the MCNPX design for the Supercritical Light Water Reactor. The critical point for water occurs at 647.096 K and 22.064 megapascals, and it is recommended to obtain the original source and latest version from IAPWS for accurate information.
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Aly_19f
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TL;DR Summary
Density variation of supercritical water.
Hi, I'm working on an MCNPX design for the Supercritical Light Water Reactor, and I want to know how does the density of the water -which plays the role of the coolant and moderator- change with temperature?
I think the pressure is fixed at 25MPa, but the temperature of the water may vary, Does and How does this variation affect on its density?
 
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Aly_19f said:
Summary:: Density variation of supercritical water.

I think the pressure is fixed at 25MPa, but the temperature of the water may vary, Does and How does this variation affect on its density?
Yes, temperature and pressure affect density.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/555/1/012036/pdf

https://www.nuclear-power.com/nucle...ical-water/properties-of-supercritical-water/
https://www.nuclear-power.com/nucle.../properties-of-water/critical-point-of-water/

In water, the critical point occurs at 647.096 K (373.946 °C; 705.103 °F) and 22.064 megapascals (3,200.1 psi; 217.75 atm)
From Wikipedia article Ref 2, Wagner, W.; Pruß, A. (June 2002). "The IAPWS Formulation 1995 for the Thermodynamic Properties of Ordinary Water Substance for General and Scientific Use". Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data. 31 (2): 398. doi:10.1063/1.1461829

I would recommend obtaining the original source, and preferably the latest version of IAPWS.
http://www.iapws.org/
http://www.iapws.org/relguide/IF97-Rev.html
 
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I'm very thankful for your answer, these links will help me a lot.
Thank you.
 

1. What is a Supercritical Water Reactor (SCWR)?

A Supercritical Water Reactor (SCWR) is a type of nuclear reactor that uses supercritical water as its coolant and moderator. This means that the water is heated to a temperature and pressure above its critical point, where it exhibits properties of both a liquid and a gas.

2. How does the density of supercritical water impact the performance of a SCWR?

The density of supercritical water is significantly lower than that of subcritical water, which is commonly used in traditional nuclear reactors. This lower density allows for better heat transfer and higher efficiency in the SCWR, resulting in a more compact and cost-effective design.

3. What is the temperature range of supercritical water in a SCWR?

The temperature of supercritical water in a SCWR typically ranges from 500°C to 625°C. This high temperature allows for increased energy production and improved thermal efficiency compared to traditional nuclear reactors.

4. How does the temperature of supercritical water affect the materials used in a SCWR?

The high temperature of supercritical water can pose challenges for the materials used in a SCWR. The extreme conditions can cause corrosion and degradation of certain materials, so careful selection and testing of materials is necessary to ensure the safety and longevity of the reactor.

5. What are the potential benefits of using a SCWR compared to traditional nuclear reactors?

Some potential benefits of using a SCWR include higher thermal efficiency, lower capital and operating costs, and reduced environmental impact due to the use of supercritical water as a coolant. Additionally, SCWRs have the potential to use a wider range of fuel types, including nuclear waste, which could help to address the issue of nuclear waste disposal.

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