Reactor Physics Studies for a Pressure Tube Supercritical Water Reactor (PT-SCWR)

Abstract

Preliminary lattice physics and full core neutronic analysis have been performed for the pressure-tube supercritical water reactor (PT-SCWR). Current CANDU reactor physics codes (WIMS-AECL and RFSP) were used for modeling this reactor. A key challenge in the physics design of this reactor is the optimization of lattice parameters to achieve the appropriate balance between coolant void reactivity (CVR) and fuel utilization. A vertically-oriented, batch-fuelled reactor is considered, with an insulated pressure tube to accommodate the high coolant temperatures and pressures. The analysis shows the reactor physics conceptual feasibility of the design, although further optimization is required.