NUCLEAR 2012Peter Líška

Pitesti, Romania, 16 – 18 June 2012

The ALLEGRO project

Prezentácia VUJE a.s. SNETP – Generation IV

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In order to provide a solution for long-term

sustainability of nuclear energy, SNETP gives

a high priority to the development of Fast

Neutron Reactors (FNR), among which are the

Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR) as

a proven concept, and the Lead - or Gas -

cooled Fast Reactor (LFR and GFR) as

alternative longer-term Technologies.

Prezentácia VUJE a.s. FNR Technology

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To achieve commercial availability of FNR Technologies by 2040, it is vital to

continue and accelerate R&D on key topics, primarily:

Primary system design simplification,

Improved materials and innovative fuels,

Improved safety (safety standards at least comparable to Gen III standards),

particularly in terms of neutronics, risks associated with liquid metal,

robustness against severe damage in the core and passive systems,

Innovative heat exchangers and power conversion systems,

Advanced instrumentation and in-service inspection capabilities,

Reduction of the plant costs,

Partitioning and recycling processes. The work in the area of partitioning and

transmutation with innovative fuels and core performance and associated fuel

cycle studies will lay the groundwork for assessment of future sustainable

nuclear fuel cycle strategies.

A first construction of GFR

No GFR has ever been built

It is necessary to start with a small experimental reactor

No electricity generation

Power conversion system is not the core of the technology

ALLEGRO is proposed as a first GFR

To get a first safety reference

To demonstrate the viability of technology

To progressively qualify the GFR ceramic fuel

The GFR is a promising but longer term option than SFR

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GFR studies and development

at CEA

Started in 2000 to evaluate another technology than the SFR one

To obtain a sustainable version of HTR systems

Or a high efficiency FR

Fast neutrons + high temperature

Uranium economy + high efficiency + Industrial heat

applications

GFR specificities were set up:

Active cooling by gas in all situations

Natural circulation as a diversified function where possible

Refractory fuel element (ceramic clad)

Dense fuel (carbide)

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Objective of project Allegro

Alternative to the reactor cooled by molten sodium

Capable to operate as a breeder reactor with breeding factor higher than 1

Reactor characteristics must be suitable for commercial electricity production - a step to

suitable energy reactor

Capability to burn transuranic elements from the spent fuel

As a one of fast reactor would produce heat about 850°C, which will be

able to chemically produce hydrogen, fuel for vehicles.

High temperature heat could be used also for technological purposes.

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Prezentácia VUJE a.s. ALLEGRO reactor – main features

ALLEGRO reactor

two different core:

starting MOX core

o test of GFR operation with well established metalic fuel

o test of ceramic fuel subassemblies

second ceramic fuel core

o test of new fuel design

o overall test of GFR at high temperature

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Prezentácia VUJE a.s.

ALLEGRO MOX Core

Power(MW) 75

Power density (MW/m3) 100

Operating helium pressure (MPa) 7

Core Helium inlet/outlet temperature (°C) 260/530

Fissile Core mass flow rate(kg.s-1) 53.5

Fuel form (U, Pu)O2 pellets

Fissile core height (m) 0.86

Fissile core diameter (m) 1.12

Fissile core coolant fraction(%) 37.5

Pu/U+Pu(%) 25

Global power peaking factor 1.54

Number of fissile S/As 81

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Main characteristics of

ALLEGRO 75 MWth MOX core

Prezentácia VUJE a.s.ALLEGRO flow diagram

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Prezentácia VUJE a.s.Core design

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ALLEGRO Project - State of art

Memorandum of Understanding - cooperation for Preparatory Phase

VUJE - Slovakia

ÚJV Řež - Czech Republic

KFKI EK - Hungary

Potential partners:

National Centre for Nuclear Research - Poland

AMEC - Great Britain

Project of Visegrad countries is the goal

Technical support of CEA - France – Documents transfer

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Prezentácia VUJE a.s.Allegro project (1)

All works necessary for GFR demonstration:

preparatory phase

licensing and construction of ALLEGRO reactor

R&D

operation of ALLEGRO

decommissioning

Preparatory phase

should provide basic documents as basis for decisions as follows:

whether GFR is accepted in Europe as a complementary option of SFR

whether the corresponding governments are ready to host ALLEGRO in

the region

selection of the site of the ALLEGRO reactor

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Prezentácia VUJE a.s. Allegro project (2)

Preparatory phase basic documents:

General specification of the ALLEGRO project

Licensing roadmap

Preliminary design

Preliminary safety analysis

Spent fuel management strategy, analysis of required services

Preliminary analysis of environmental impact

Site studies, criteria of sitting, rules of the site selection process

R&D in the licensing & construction and in the operational phase

Governance, financing analysis, identification of potential partners

On the basis of the Project Steering Committee decision, VUJE is a general designer of Allegro

reactor with the support of NRI-EGP.

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Benefits of the Allegro project for

the hosting countries

. Member states have common responsibility in EU energy and

climate policy:

Sustainable energy production

Contributing to the fight against climate change

Maintaining and extending the competence of nuclear

communities - knowledge of future reactor technologies

Developing high added - value technologies in the region - several

very innovative industrial branches, special materials, …

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System Design Integration

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Integration of the primary circuit in the guard vessel

Helium back-up pressure in case of LOCA ~ 2-3 bar

Higher back-up pressure in case of N2 injection (10 bar or more)

Prezentácia VUJE a.s.Shutdown and reactivity control

system

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Location

of the

control rod

drivers

on the

reactor

vessel

bottom

section

Conceptual

view

of the

mechanical

part

of control rod

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ALLEGRO Primary System

Overview

Technology R&D supporting ALLEGRO

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System Design Integration

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GFR for electricity production

Conslusion

When Fast neutron reactor will be needed?

sources of natural gas, oil,...........

sources of Uranium

economical conditions of mining

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Prezentácia VUJE a.s.

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VUJE, a.s.

Okružná 5, 918 64 Trnava

Slovak Republic

Phone: + 421 33 599 1111

Fax: + 421 33 599 1200

E-mail: vuje@vuje.sk

www.vuje.sk

Thank you for your attention