Actual Operation and Control of Fast Reactor

Abstract

A fast breeder reactor has several features that make it different from a light water reactor. The fuel is plutonium and uranium-mixed oxide, the reactor core enables breeding mainly by reaction of fast neutrons, and it has high power density and burn-up levels. In addition, sodium is used as the coolant and the operating temperature is far below the boiling point (approximately 880°C at 1 atmospheric pressure). So, the reactor cooling system is designed to operate at low pressure and high temperatures. Sodium is active chemically, and the sodium liquid surface has to be covered with inactive gas.

An erratum to this chapter can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54195-0_12

Chapter 9 Exercises

• 1. Explain why a neutron flux signal is used as an auxiliary signal in a reactor power control system.

• 2. Some input signals are used in a plant control system other than a main steam pressure control system, and all of them are “high sorting values” that use the highest value for later controls. Explain why “high sorting value” is used.

• 3. Explain why a hierarchical system with an output command device at the top is adopted in the configuration of MONJU plant control system.

• 4. Explain features of the fast reactor plant control system. Explain what the MONJU control system is.

• 5. Describe differences in steam conditions for MONJU, BWR, and PWR.

• 6. Describe the steam generator type in MONJU.