Safety Characteristics of the Integral Fast Reactor Concept

Safety Characteristics of the Integral Fast Reactor Concept
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 1985
Genre:
ISBN:

The Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) concept is an innovative approach to liquid metal reactor design which is being studied by Argonne National Laboratory. Two of the key features of the IFR design are a metal fuel core design, based on the fuel technology developed at EBR-II, and an integral fuel cycle with a colocated fuel cycle facility based on the compact and simplified process steps made possible by the use of metal fuel. The paper presents the safety characteristics of the IFR concept which derive from the use of metal fuel. Liquid metal reactors, because of the low pressure coolant operating far below its boiling point, the natural circulation capability, and high system heat capacities, possess a high degree of inherent safety. The use of metallic fuel allows the reactor designer to further enhance the system capability for passive accommodation of postulated accidents.

Integral Fast Reactor Concept Inherent Safety Features

Integral Fast Reactor Concept Inherent Safety Features
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 1986
Genre:
ISBN:

The Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) is an innovative liquid-metal-cooled reactor concept being developed at Argonne National Laboratory. The two major goals of the IFR development effort are improved economics and enhanced safety. The design features that together fulfill these goals are: (1) a liquid metal (sodium) coolant, (2) a pool-type reactor primary system configuration, (3) an advanced ternary alloy metallic fuel, and (4) an integral fuel cycle. This paper reviews the design features that contribute to the safety margins inherent to the IFR concept. Special emphasis is placed on the ability of the IFR design to accommodate anticipated transients without scram (ATWS).

Integral Fast Reactor Safety Features

Integral Fast Reactor Safety Features
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 1988
Genre:
ISBN:

The Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) is an advanced liquid-metal-cooled reactor concept being developed at Argonne National Laboratory. The two major goals of the IFR development effort are improved economics and enhanced safety. In addition to liquid metal cooling, the principal design features that distinguish the IFR are: (1) a pool-type primary system, (2) an advanced ternary alloy metallic fuel, and (3) an integral fuel cycle with on-site fuel reprocessing and fabrication. This paper focuses on the technical aspects of the improved safety margins available in the IFR concept. This increased level of safety is made possible by (1) the liquid metal (sodium) coolant and pool-type primary system layout, which together facilitate passive decay heat removal, and (2) a sodium-bonded metallic fuel pin design with thermal and neutronic properties that provide passive core responses which control and mitigate the consequences of reactor accidents.

Preliminary Safety Assessment of the Integral Fast Reactor Concept

Preliminary Safety Assessment of the Integral Fast Reactor Concept
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 54
Release: 1985
Genre:
ISBN:

The results of a preliminary assessment of the safety characteristics of the integral fast reactor concept are presented. The response of metal fueled cores to a variety of transients are examined. The range of events that were assessed include transient overpower (TOP) without scram, loss-of-flow (LOF) without scram, local fuel failure events, and core melt accidents. The results show that by taking advantage of the inherent characteristics of a pool plant and metallic cores, a plant design can be developed that does not require the action of active safety systems to prevent significant damage to the core for any single off-normal occurrence. Further, even in the case of multiple failures, significant times are available for corrective action.

Fast Reactor Safety

Fast Reactor Safety
Author: John Graham
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 390
Release: 2012-12-02
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0323152651

Fast Reactor Safety deals with safety design criteria and methodology for fast reactors. Topics covered include safety evaluation methods, system disturbances, containment, and licensing. The characteristics of fast reactors, including heat ratings and coolants, are also discussed. Comprised of six chapters, this book opens with an overview of methods used to evaluate nuclear safety, along with neutron kinetics, thermal and feedback effects, and fault tree analysis. The reader is then introduced to possible system disturbances in relation to three distinct fast reactor systems: liquid-metal-cooled fast breeder reactors, gas-cooled fast breeder reactors, and steam-cooled fast breeder reactors. The next chapter looks at safety criteria that are set to define the design of a safe plant, together with the safety features that might be included. The remaining chapters focus on the particular problems of a sodium-cooled design; containment building and primary circuit and vessel containment; and licensing of the plant. This monograph is intended for graduates and undergraduates in nuclear engineering who are attending courses in reactor safety.

Integral Fast Reactor Concept. [Pool Type ; Metal Fuel ; Integral Fuel Cycle].

Integral Fast Reactor Concept. [Pool Type ; Metal Fuel ; Integral Fuel Cycle].
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 1984
Genre:
ISBN:

Key features of the IFR consist of a pool-type plant arrangement, a metal fuel-based core design, and an integral fuel cycle with colocated fuel cycle facility. Both the basic concept and the technology base have been demonstrated through actual integral cycle operation in EBR-II. This paper discusses the inherent safety characteristics of the IFR concept. (DLC).

The Integral Fast Reactor

The Integral Fast Reactor
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 1988
Genre:
ISBN:

The Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) is an innovative liquid metal reactor concept being developed at Argonne National Laboratory. It seeks to specifically exploit the inherent properties of liquid metal cooling and metallic fuel in a way that leads to substantial improvements in the characteristics of the complete reactor system. This paper describes the key features and potential advantages of the IFR concept, with emphasis on its safety characteristics. 3 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.

Integral Fast Reactor

Integral Fast Reactor
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 5
Release: 1993
Genre:
ISBN:

Argonne National Laboratory is developing a reactor concept that would be an important part of the worlds energy future. This report discusses the Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) concept which provides significant improvements over current generation reactors in reactor safety, plant complexity, nuclear proliferation, and waste generation. Two major facilities, a reactor and a fuel cycle facility, make up the IFR concept. The reactor uses fast neutrons and metal fuel in a sodium coolant at atmospheric pressure that relies on laws of physics to keep it safe. The fuel cycle facility is a hot cell using remote handling techniques for fabricating reactor fuel. The fuel feed stock includes spent fuel from the reactor, and potentially, spent light water reactor fuel and plutonium from weapons. This paper discusses the unique features of the IFR concept and the differences the quality assurance program has from current commercial practices. The IFR concept provides an opportunity to design a quality assurance program that makes use of the best contemporary ideas on management and quality.

Improving Fuel Cycle Design and Safety Characteristics of a Gas Cooled Fast Reactor

Improving Fuel Cycle Design and Safety Characteristics of a Gas Cooled Fast Reactor
Author: Willem Frederik Geert van Rooijen
Publisher: IOS Press
Total Pages: 160
Release: 2006
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9781586036966

The Generation IV Forum is an international nuclear energy research initiative aimed at developing the fourth generation of nuclear reactors, envisaged to enter service halfway the 21st century. One of the Generation IV reactor systems is the Gas Cooled Fast Reactor (GCFR), the subject of study in this thesis. The Generation IV reactor concepts should improve all aspects of nuclear power generation. Within Generation IV, the GCFR concept specifically targets sustainability of nuclear power generation. The Gas Cooled Fast Reactor core power density is high in comparison to other gas cooled reactor concepts. Like all nuclear reactors, the GCFR produces decay heat after shut down, which has to be transported out of the reactor under all circumstances. The layout of the primary system therefore focuses on using natural convection Decay Heat Removal (DHR) where possible, with a large coolant fraction in the core to reduce friction losses.

Plentiful Energy

Plentiful Energy
Author: Charles E. Till
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2011
Genre: Breeder reactors
ISBN: 9781466384606

The Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) is a fast reactor system developed at Argonne National Laboratory in the decade 1984 to 1994. The IFR project developed the technology for a complete system; the reactor, the entire fuel cycle and the waste management technologies were all included in the development program. The reactor concept had important features and characteristics that were completely new and fuel cycle and waste management technologies that were entirely new developments. The reactor is a "fast" reactor - that is, the chain reaction is maintained by "fast" neutrons with high energy - which produces its own fuel. The IFR reactor and associated fuel cycle is a closed system. Electrical power is generated, new fissile fuel is produced to replace the fuel burned, its used fuel is processed for recycling by pyroprocessing - a new development - and waste is put in final form for disposal. All this is done on one self-sufficient site.The scale and duration of the project and its funding made it the largest nuclear energy R and D program of its day. Its purpose was the development of a long term massive new energy source, capable of meeting the nation's electrical energy needs in any amount, and for as long as it is needed, forever, if necessary. Safety, non-proliferation and waste toxicity properties were improved as well, these three the characteristics most commonly cited in opposition to nuclear power.Development proceeded from success to success. Most of the development had been done when the program was abruptly cancelled by the newly elected Clinton Administration. In his 1994 State of the Union address the president stated that "unnecessary programs in advanced reactor development will be terminated." The IFR was that program.This book gives the real story of the IFR, written by the two nuclear scientists who were most deeply involved in its conception, the development of its R and D program, and its management.Between the scientific and engineering papers and reports, and books on the IFR, and the non-technical and often impassioned dialogue that continues to this day on fast reactor technology, we felt there is room for a volume that, while accurate technically, is written in a manner accessible to the non-specialist and even to the non-technical reader who simply wants to know what this technology is.