ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the basic characteristics of power reactors. These characteristics, along with more detailed thermal hydraulic parameters presented in further chapters, enable the student to apply the specialized techniques presented in the remainder of the text to a range of reactor types. Water-, gas-, and sodium-cooled reactor types, identified in Table 1.1, encompass the principal nuclear power reactor designs that have been employed in the world. The thermal hydraulic characteristics of these reactors are presented in Sections 1.2 through 1.5 as part of the description of the power cycle, primary coolant system, core, and fuel assembly design of these reactor types. Three classes of advanced reactors are also presented in subsequent sections, the Generation III, III+, and IV designs. The Generation III designs are advanced water reactors that have already been brought into operation (ABWR) or are under construction (EPR). The Generation III+ designs are advanced water-and gas-cooled reactors, several of which are being licensed and brought into service in the 2010 decade [12]. These Generation III and III+ designs are discussed in Section 1.6. The Generation IV reactors described in Section 1.7 were selected by an international roadmapping process and are being pursued through an internationally coordinated research and development activity for deployment in the period 2020-2040 [13]. Figure 1.1 presents the evolution and categorization by the generation of the world’s reactor types. Tables in Chapters 1 and 2 and Appendix K provide detailed information on reactor characteristics useful for application to specific illustrative examples and homework problems in the text.
