Maximum licensable core power rating

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SUMMARY

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has evolved its stance on licensing core power ratings, now considering designs exceeding previous limits of 3800-4000 MWth. Current evolutionary Light Water Reactors (LWRs) include the Hitachi ABWR-II rated at 4960 MWt and 1700 MWe, along with several other advanced designs such as the Mitsubishi US-APWR at 4451 MWt and AREVA EPR at 4590 MWt. This shift indicates a significant advancement in reactor technology and design capabilities, allowing for higher efficiency and output in nuclear power generation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of nuclear reactor design principles
  • Familiarity with Light Water Reactor (LWR) technology
  • Knowledge of thermal and electrical power ratings in nuclear reactors
  • Awareness of regulatory frameworks governing nuclear power in the U.S.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the specifications and operational principles of the Hitachi ABWR-II
  • Explore the design features of the Mitsubishi US-APWR and its efficiency metrics
  • Investigate the regulatory changes by the NRC regarding core power ratings
  • Study the impact of advanced reactor designs on nuclear safety and efficiency
USEFUL FOR

Nuclear engineers, regulatory professionals, and anyone involved in the design, operation, or regulation of advanced nuclear reactors will benefit from this discussion.

gmax137
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Back in the 1970's and 1980's I was told that the NRC wouldn't license a design over 3800 or 4000 MWth. The new designs must be considerably higher (another post mentions the Hitachi at 1700 MWe, seems like that must be approaching 5000 MWth core power). Was I given bad info way back when, or has the NRC/ACRS had a change of opinion that let's them consider such core designs? I can (almost) remember seeing the upper limit in print somewhere (SRPs??) but I can't find it now.
 
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From IAEA the evolutionary LWRs are:

Evolutionary LWRs
  • 1380 MWe ABWR (Toshiba); 1360 or 1500 MWe ABWR (GE-Hitachi);
  • 1700 MWe ABWR-II (Japanese utilities; GE-Hitachi or Toshiba);
  • 1540 MWe APWR & 1700 MWe APWR+ (Mitsubishi)
  • 600 MWe AP-600; 1100 MWe AP-1000; and 335 MWe IRIS (Westinghouse)
  • 1550 MWe ESBWR (GE-Hitachi)
  • 1545 MWe EPR and 1250 MWe SWR-1000 (Areva)
  • 1100 MWe ATMEA1 (Areva & Mitsubishi)
  • 1000 MWe OPR and 1400 MWe APR (KHNP and Korean Industry)
  • 1000 MWe CPR (CGNPC); 650 MWe CNP (CNNC) and 600 MWe AC-600 (NPIC)
  • 1000 MWe WWER-1000 /1200 (V-392); WWER-1500; and WWER-640 (V-407) (AtomEnergoProm)

As far as I know, Hitachi offers BWRs, e.g., ABWR. The ABWR-II is a 4960 MWt / 1700 MWe NPP. It uses a larger (wider) assembly and larger (wider) water gap than current BWRs.
Ref paper from ICONE1999: http://www.jsme.or.jp/monograph/pes/1999/ICONE7/PAPERS/TRACK06/FP7426.PDF

AREVA/EdF N4 plants are rated 4270 MWt with 205 17x17 assemblies/core and 14-ft active fuel height.

Mitsubishi - US-APWR is rated 4451 MWt with 257 17x17 assemblies/core and 13.8-ft active core height.

AREVA EPR is rated 4590 MWt with 241 17x17 assemblies/core and 13.8-ft active core height.
 
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