The westinghouse lead fast reactor program

P. Ferroni, C. Stansbury, J. Liao, D. Utley, A. Levinsky, R. Wright, E. Gustavsson, H. Perry, J. Gorgemans, S. J. Lee, M. Ickes, G. Banyay, F. Franceschini, A. Harkness, J. Willis, J. Chrzanowski, B. Friedman, E. Tatli, G. Grasso, M. TarantinoM. Frignani

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

The Westinghouse Lead Fast Reactor is a competitive, medium-size, scalable, passively safe, modular reactor being developed with the primary goal of reducing front-end capital cost and generating flexible and cost-competitive electricity even in the most challenging global markets. All while satisfying the highest standards in terms of safety and sustainability. The plant operates with a fast neutron spectrum core in a pool configuration reactor, which is interfaced with a Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Power Conversion System (PCS) that uses air as the ultimate heat sink. In turn, the PCS is connected to an energy storage system that provides non-reactor based load leveling, thus enhancing the plant's attractiveness in future and diverse energy markets. The plant is envisioned to be developed through a staged approach that commences with a lower-power (~300 MWe), nearer-term deployment Prototype LFR (PLFR). This plant operates with reduced duty conditions in order to maximize use of higher-readiness materials and accelerate development. The PLFR is intended to demonstrate LFR technology's overall safety and performance characteristics, and ability to produce electricity at a cost that is economically competitive in many markets. Following a demonstration phase of a few years, the PLFR plant is envisioned to be enhanced and uprated to obtain the First of a Kind (FOAK) unit of a higher-power (~465 MWe), higher-temperature commercial fleet. The FOAK plant will maintain the overall configuration and key features of the PLFR, but will incorporate higher-performance structural and fuel system materials with the goal of enhancing economics, sustainability and overall performance. This paper provides a high-level overview of the plant design and of collaborative efforts currently being pursued by Westinghouse.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages603-611
Number of pages9
StatePublished - 2020
Event14th International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conference, GLOBAL 2019 and Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference, TOP FUEL 2019 - Seattle, United States
Duration: Sep 22 2019Sep 27 2019

Conference

Conference14th International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conference, GLOBAL 2019 and Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference, TOP FUEL 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySeattle
Period9/22/199/27/19

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Fuel Technology
  • Nuclear Energy and Engineering

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