Facilities with MKER-800 (800 MW multiloop boiling-water power reactor) as a reactor system having improved safety

Negative post-Chernobyl attitude toward nuclear power had concerned for the most part water-graphite channel-type reactors. Drawbacks of the RBMK power units--first of all positive reactivity effect and absence of the containment--had been attributed to all reactors of this type. However, the channel-type design, being unbiased, have a number of advantages as compared to vessel-type reactors both in terms of safety and in terms of economy. The indicated advantages of the water-graphite channel-type reactors are totally implemented in MKER-800 design. The MKER-800 is a multiloop reactor. Each circulation loop consists of a steam separator, two downcomers, water and steam-water lines, fuel channels. Natural circulation of the coolant is intensified with aid of water jet pumps mounted in all downcomers is connected to 50 fuel channels each. Coolant is heated and partially evaporated when it passes through the channels. Separated steam is conducted at 7 MPa via steam removal lines--which are provided with cut-off devices and main safety valves--to the main steam lines feeding steam to the turbogenerator. Besides, provision is made for steam removing from the steam lines to the passive cooling system. MKER-800 design meets the Russian and international requirements set for the reactors of enhanced safety. To attain thesemore » qualities, the reactor plant (RP) has adopted technical solutions described in this paper.« less