Light-water Reactor Research and Development


Book Description

The Energy Research Advisory Board (ERAB) was requested to under take an examination of safety research and development (R and D) on light water reactors (LWRs) in order to advise the Department of Energy (DOE) on the adequacy of those efforts for making effective use of nuclear power. In carrying out this examination, DOE asked that ERAB: (1) review the adequacy of DOE's LWR safety R and D management plan prepared pursuant to Public Law 96-567, (2) examine the safety-related R and D conducted by the various government and nongovernment groups, and (3) identify R and D that could result in major design improvements to LWRs. To carry out this examination, ERAB appointed an expert panel. This report contains the results of ERAB's examination of the first two of the above subjects. The Board has yet to consider the subject of nonsafety-related long-term LWR R and D, as also requested by DOE. Furthermore, in keeping with the Department's guidance, this report does not include an examination of the R and D on related activities such as reprocessing, waste management, and the breeder.







Roadmap for Nondestructive Evaluation of Reactor Pressure Vessel Research and Development by the Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program


Book Description

The Department of Energy s (DOE) Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Program is a five year effort which works to develop the fundamental scientific basis to understand, predict, and measure changes in materials and systems, structure, and components as they age in environments associated with continued long-term operations of existing commercial nuclear power reactors. This year, the Materials Aging and Degradation (MAaD) Pathway of this program has placed emphasis on emerging Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) methods which support these objectives. DOE funded Research and Development (R & D) on emerging NDE techniques to support commercial nuclear reactor sustainability is expected to begin next year. This summer, the MAaD Pathway invited subject matter experts to participate in a series of workshops which developed the basis for the research plan of these DOE R & D NDE activities. This document presents the results of one of these workshops which are the DOE LWRS NDE R & D Roadmap for Reactor Pressure Vessels (RPV). These workshops made a substantial effort to coordinate the DOE NDE R & D with that already underway or planned by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) through their representation at these workshops.




Advanced Reactor Development Program


Book Description




Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program Power Uprate Research and Development Strategy


Book Description

The economic incentives for low-cost electricity generation will continue to drive more plant owners to identify safe and reliable methods to increase the electrical power output of the current nuclear power plant fleet. A power uprate enables a nuclear power plant to increase its electrical output with low cost. However, power uprates brought new challenges to plant owners and operators. These include equipment damage or degraded performance, and unanticipated responses to plant conditions, etc. These problems have arisen mainly from using dated design and safety analysis tools and insufficient understanding of the full implications of the proposed power uprate or from insufficient attention to detail during the design and implementation phase. It is essential to demonstrate that all required safety margins have been properly retained and the existing safety level has been maintained or even increased, with consideration of all the conditions and parameters that have an influence on plant safety. The impact of the power uprate on plant life management for long term operation is also an important issue. Significant capital investments are required to extend the lifetime of an aging nuclear power plant. Power uprates can help the plant owner to recover the investment costs. However, plant aging issues may be aggravated by the power uprate due to plant conditions. More rigorous analyses, inspections and monitoring systems are required.







Light Water Reactor Sustainability ACCOMPLISHMENTS REPORT.


Book Description

Welcome to the 2014 Light Water Reactor Sus?tainability (LWRS) Program Accomplishments Report, covering research and development highlights from 2014. The LWRS Program is a U.S. Depart?ment of Energy research and development program to inform and support the long-term operation of our nation's commercial nuclear power plants. The research uses the unique facilities and capabilities at the Depart?ment of Energy national laboratories in collaboration with industry, academia, and international partners. Extending the operating lifetimes of current plants is essential to supporting our nation's base load energy infrastructure, as well as reaching the Administration's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by the year 2050. The purpose of the LWRS Program is to provide technical results for plant owners to make informed decisions on long-term operation and subsequent license renewal, reducing the uncertainty, and therefore the risk, associated with those decisions. In January 2013, 104 nuclear power plants operated in 31 states. However, since then, five plants have been shut down (several due to economic reasons), with additional shutdowns under consideration. The LWRS Program aims to minimize the number of plants that are shut down, with R & D that supports long-term opera?tion both directly (via data that is needed for subsequent license renewal), as well indirectly (with models and technology that provide economic benefits). The LWRS Program continues to work closely with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to ensure that the body of information needed to support SLR decisions and actions is available in a timely manner. This report covers selected highlights from the three research pathways in the LWRS Program: Materials Aging and Degradation, Risk-Informed Safety Margin Characteriza?tion, and Advanced Instrumentation, Information, and Control Systems Technologies, as well as a look-ahead at planned activities for 2015. If you have any questions about the information in the report, or about the LWRS Program, please contact me, Richard A. Reister (the Federal Program Manager), or the respective research pathway leader (noted on pages 26 and 27), or visit the LWRS Program website (www.inl.gov/lwrs). The annually updated Integrated Program Plan and Pathway Technical Program Plans are also available for those seeking more detailed technical Information.




New Nukes


Book Description

Energy demand in the United States is expected to continue to grow over the coming decades, and the Department of Energy (DOE) considers nuclear energy to be one way to help meet this increased demand without producing air pollution. However, the current domestic commercial nuclear reactor fleet, consisting of 99 large light water reactors (LWRs) that provide about 20 percent of U.S. electricity is aging, and some reactors have shut down in recent years. LWRs use light, or ordinary, water to cool the reactor. New reactor concepts are under development as alternative energy options. Light water small modular reactors (SMRs) have some similarities, including the coolant used, to the existing large LWRs, and advanced reactors differ more from the large LWRs. Both new reactor concepts differ from the existing large LWRs in potential applications. This book discusses the status of light water SMR and advanced reactor concepts under development; the intended benefits of these new reactor concepts; and the challenges associated with developing and deploying these new types of reactors. Furthermore, the book describes DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy's (NE) approach to advanced nuclear reactor research and development (R&D) and examines how NE plans and prioritises its advanced reactor R&D activities, including deploying an advanced reactor.