PERSPECTIVE CHANNEL-TYPE REACTOR WITH ENHANCED SAFETY

Following the search for new design solutions to develop within the fr amework of channel trends the reactor with enhanced safety the Researc h and Development Institute of Power Engineering has developed the des ign of the multiloop boiling water reactor (MKER). The MKER enhanced s afety is attained when involving the inherent safety features, passive safety systems as well as the accident consequences confinement devic es. The design realizes several advantages which are typical of the ch annel-type reactors, namely: the design desintegration simplifying the manufacture, control, equipment delivery and decreasing, versus the p ressure vessel reactors, the accident effect if it proceeds in an expl osive manner; small operating reactivity margin and fuel burnup increa sed due to continuous refuelling; fuel cycle flexibility allowing comp aratively easily to adopt the reactor to the conjuncture of the countr y fuel balance; multiloop circuit of the main coolant which reduces th e degree and effect of the accidents connected with the equipment and pipings rupture; monitoring of the channels and fuel assemblies leak-t ightness.