The Pebble Bed Modular Reactor: An Attractive Future Option

Transcription

1 The Pebble Bed Modular Reactor: An Attractive Future Option Como, ITALY Dr Dave Wimpey June 2008

2 The Technology The PBMR is a small-scale, helium-cooled, directcycle, graphite-moderated, high-temperature reactor (HTR). Although it is not the only gas-cooled HTR currently being developed in the world, the South African project is internationally regarded as the leader in the power generation field.

3 The Project PBMR (Pty) Ltd intends to: Build a demonstration module at Koeberg near Cape Town Build an associated fuel plant at Pelindaba near Pretoria Commercialize and market 165 MWe modules in single or multi-module configuration for the local and export markets Transform PBMR (Pty) Ltd into a world-class company

4 Current Investors South African Government (DPE) Eskom the South African national utility Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) a national development financial institution Westinghouse Negotiating with other potential investors

5 Eskom Power Stations 2001 BOTSWANA C MOZAMBIQUE NAMIBIA Pretoria Johannesburg C C C C C C C C C C C P SWAZILAND Maputo Bloemfontein LESOTHO H H Durban Cape Town N G P G Port Elizabeth East London

6 Growth in SA Electricity Demand Compound annual demand growth of 3.4% per year since 1992 (2004 peak 34,210MW compared to 22,640 in 1992) National Energy Regulator s Integrated Resource Plan shows: Projected growth of ~2.8%/annum to 2022 New build capacity of over 20,000MW required by 2022 Growth at 4% would require ~40,000MW Eskom predicts growth in demand of 1200 MW p/a over next 20 years

7 Diversity of Energy Sources The expansion of generating capacity in South Africa should include a diversity of energy sources, including coal, hydro, nuclear, wind, solar, wave, tidal etc. To meet energy development challenges, South Africa needs to optimally use all energy sources available and vigorously pursue energy efficient programmes

8 World Electricity Market World capacity in January 2002 was 3,465GW (~100 x Eskom) World average growth of 3% per annum since 1980 (equates to 600 PBMRs per year) MIT forecasts world demand to triple by 2050 Current world spending is about $100bn per year on new power stations Fossil fuel costs have risen dramatically Environmental pressure is increasing

9 Resurgence of Nuclear Energy Thirty nuclear plants are being built today in 12 countries around the world Green guru James Lovelock and Greenpeace co-founder Patrick Moore calls for massive expansion of nuclear to combat global warming (May 2004) George Bush signs energy bill and describes nuclear as one of the nation s most important sources of energy (Aug 2005) US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman predicts nuclear will thrive as a future emission-free energy source (April 2005) Tony Blair proposes new generation of nuclear plants to combat climate change (July 2004)

10 Resurgence of Nuclear Energy China plans to build 27x1000MW nuclear reactors over the next 15 years India plans a ten-fold nuclear power increase France to replace its 58 nuclear reactors with EPR units from 2020, at the rate of about one 1600 MWe unit per year. IAEA predicts at least 60 new reactors will become operational within 15 years

11 Views on Nuclear "How are we going to satisfy the extraordinary need for energy in really rapidly developing countries? I don't think solar and wind are going to do it. We are going to have to find a way to harness all energy supplies that includes civilian nuclear power." Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State, Sept 2005

12 Views on PBMR The long-term future of power reactors belongs to very high temperature reactors such as the PBMR. Nils Diaz, Chairman of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, July 2004 I feel we made a mistake in halting the HTR programme. Klaus Töpfer, Germany s former Minister of Nuclear Power and Environment. Davos, January 2003 The PBMR technology could revolutionize how atomic energy is generated over the next several decades. It is one of he nearterm technologies that could change the energy market. Prof. Andrew Kadak, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, January 2002 Little old South Africa is kicking our butt with its development of the PBMR. This should be a wake-up call for the US. Syd Ball, senior researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 11 June 2004.

13 PBMR could be the first successful commercial Generation IV reactor

14 Salient Features Can be placed near point of demand Small safety zone On-line refuelling Load-following characteristics Process heat applications Well suited for desalination purposes Synergy with hydrogen economy

15 PBMR Uniquely Positioned Non-CO 2 emitting option in climate change debate Inherent safety reducing regulation burden Small unit flexibility with short construction time Accepted as very low nuclear proliferation risk Close enough to commercial deployment to achieve first to market dominance Eskom build program of at least MW over the next 15 years In line with NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa Development) initiatives

16 Advantages to South Africa Ability to site on coast, away from coal fields RSA based turnkey supplier allows localisation of manufacture Locally controlled technology limiting foreign exchange exposure About local jobs created during full commercial phase

17 Capabilities of South Africa Completed a large number of FOAKE projects (eg SASOL, ESKOM, deep level mining..) Has industrial infrastructure to support sophisticated projects Eskom has operated Koeberg nuclear power plant successfully for 20 years and created ancillary infrastructure SA has a well established nuclear regulator

18 Why is PBMR safe and environmentally friendly

19 Safety Features Simple design base Passive safety achieved through inherent design characteristics The energy transfer medium (helium) is chemically and neutronically inert Coated particle provides excellent containment for the fission product activity No need for safety grade backup systems No need for off-site emergency plans License application for small safety zone Inherent safety proven during public tests

20 Core may never melt or be overheated to unallowable temperature Four Principles of Stability for Reactors with Enhanced Safety Characteristics Incorporated into the PBMR Design Thermal stability Nuclear transients may never lead to unallowable power output excursions or cause unallowable fuel element overheating Fuel elements may never be allowed to corrode excessively Nuclear stability Chemical stability Reactor cannot melt, practically no release of fission products, catastrophe-free nuclear energy Core may never be allowed to deform or change composition Mechanical stability

21 Reactor Design: PBMR (Click to go to full slide) Reserve Shutdown System (RSS) Reactivity Control System (RCS) Core Structures (CS) Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) Core Unloading Device (CUD)

22 PBMR Passive Decay Heat Centre Reflector Pebble Bed Side Reflector Core Barrel RPV RCCS Citadel Conduction Radiation Conduction Conduction Convection Removal Radiation Convection Conduction Conduction Radiation Radiation Convection Convection Conduction Convection Radiation Temperature (C) Time (hrs) Maximum Fuel Temp Average Fuel Temp

23 Fuel Handling and Proliferation Resistance (1) Passive cooling system chimneys Burn-up & activity measurement system Fresh fuel charge lock isolation block PBMR-400: Plutonium build-up Spent fuel storage tanks Pu Mass (g/pebble) PU PU PU PU Fresh fuel storage & loading device Charged 1st Pass 2nd Pass 3rd Pass 4th Pass 5th Pass 6th Pass (FF) Fresh Fuel (FF) IAEA Instrument Room FM A E FM F G B FM (CF) Sample Taking for PIE Core Fuel (CF) Core Unloading Device FM C FM (SF) G Tube for SF NDA and temperature measurement D Waste Tube for Waste NDA and temperature measurement HLW Storage Legend: Spent Fuel (SF) Symbol Description IAEA Surveillance Cameras. IAEA Sealing Dust filter Core unloading devices Scrap fuel storage tank H Spent Fuel Storage and removal system. IAEA FUEL VERIFICATION SYSTEM No: MZ FM IAEA Sealed measuring access tube. Fuel Flow Monitor IAEA Authentication Interface

24 Fuel Handling and Proliferation Resistance PBMR-400: Plutonium build-up (FF) Fresh Fuel (FF) IAEA Instrument Room FM A E FM F Pu Mass (g/pebble) PU PU PU PU FM Sample Taking for PIE FM G B (CF) Core Fuel (CF) Core Unloading Device C FM Charged 1st Pass 2nd Pass 3rd Pass 4th Pass 5th Pass 6th Pass Plutonium produced during 6 passes indicate unacceptably high PU-240 content for a reliable explosive fuel spheres to be diverted to collect sufficient material (SF) G Spent Fuel (SF) H Spent Fuel Storage and removal system. Tube for SF NDA and temperature measurement D Waste IAEA FUEL VERIFICATION SYSTEM No: MZ HLW Storage Legend: Symbol FM Tube for Waste NDA and temperature measurement Description IAEA Surveillance Cameras. IAEA Sealing IAEA Sealed measuring access tube. Fuel Flow Monitor IAEA Authentication Interface Nuclear material safeguards plan agreed with IAEA and Containment and surveillance systems will typically conform to the schematic above

25 Demonstration Plant Building Reactor Building Generator House Auxilliary Building

26 PBMR Fuel Plant Capacity of fuel elements per annum Will produce fuel of the same design and quality as the German reference fuel (AVR 21-2) Hosted by NECSA at Pelindaba NECSA has applied to the nuclear regulator for licence to operate Plant in detail design phase Uhde SA, subsidiary of ThyssenKrupp GmbH is the EPCM contractor NUKEM GmbH (responsible for design & manufacture of AVR fuel) assisting PBMR with the design Plant will be ready for cold commissioning in 2011, and will deliver fuel for the reactor in 2014

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28 Helium Test Facility The 43 m high Helium Test Facility at Pelindaba will test the helium blower, valves, heaters, coolers, recuperator and other components at pressures up to 95 bar and 1200 degrees C.

29 Helium Test Facility

30 High Pressure Test Unit of HTTF

31 High Temperature Test Unit of HTTF

32 Thank You

33 End

34 Reactor Unit Reactivity Control System (RCS) Reserve Shutdown System (RSS) Core Structures (CS) Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) Core Unloading Device (CUD) BACK

35 MPS Process Flow Diagram BACK

36 Fuel element design for PBMR BACK

37 Main Power System BACK