Concept of a High Pressure Boiling Water Reactor, HP-BWR

Some four hundred Boiling Water Reactors (BWR) and Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) have been in operation for several decades. The presented concept, the High Pressure Boiling Water Reactor (HP-BWR) makes use of the operating experiences. HP-BWR combines the advantages and leaves out the disadvantages of the traditional BWRs and PWRs by taking in consideration the experiences gained during their operation. The best parts of the two traditional reactor types are used and the troublesome components are left out. HP-BWR major benefits: 1. Safety is improved; -Gravity operated control rods -Large space for the cross formed control rods between fuel boxes -Bottom of the reactor vessel without numerous control rod penetrations -All the pipe connections to the reactor vessel are well above the top of the reactor core -Core spray is not needed -Internal circulation pumps are used. 2. Environment friendly; -Improved thermal efficiency, feeding the turbine with ∼340°C (15 MPa) steam instead of ∼285°C (7MPa) -Less warm water release to the recipient and less uranium consumption per produced kWh and consequently less waste is produced. 3. Cost effective, simple; -Direct cycle, no need for complicated steam generators -Steam separators inside the reactor vessel, and steam dryers together with additional separators can be installed inside or outside the containment -Simple dry containment.