TECHNOLOGY

Generation III

APWR reactor

APWR reactor designed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industry with power capacity of 1538 MWe is advanced pressurized water reactor for Japan market. In researches and development over new reactor type, MIH was supporting by four other companies (also by Westinghouse Co.). APWR is planned for Tsuruga nuclear power plant and it is supposed to start operating in 2016. Reactor is 4 loop design with neutron reflector to improve neutron balance in the core and combined passive and active safety systems. Active part contains quadruple cooling loops to ensures safety in case of one pipelines break, while next one is during service's operations. Philosophy of passive part is to put reactor in the shaft and pour completely water on in case of serious accident including core melt accident.

In 2008, design of US-APWR was submitted for US certification. The certification is expected in 2012. At European market MHI will be cooperating with Iberdrola Engineering & Construction and design of EU-APWR was applied for EUR certification in the same year. Both US and EU types will be 1700 MWe units, with efficiency of 37%. Parameters are higher than Japanese version.

Original APWR has fuel burn-up up to 62 GWd/t and is not fully MOX fuel capable until next version APWR+, which is planned in the future. [35],[36],[37]

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