Department of Energy FY 2012 Congressional ... - The FIRE Place

FY 2010
Actual
Approp
(dollars in thousands)
FY 2011
Request
FY 2012
Request
• Design reactor vessels, closure heads, closure studs, and core baskets for the OHIO-class
Replacement submarine reactor design.
• Develop independent models and use independent analysis techniques to validate the CDM
and reactor heavy equipment designs for the A1B, OHIO-class Replacement submarine
reactor designs.
• Design the CDM and reactor heavy equipment for the OHIO-class Replacement submarine
reactor for extended operational lifetimes.
• Design reactor and equipment for new applications with co-development between reactor
designers, component manufacturers and shipbuilders to take advantage of the special
capability and expertise of each in the early stages of design.
Reactor Physics: This work focuses on performing physics testing and analysis to confirm
expected fuel system and core performance and develop improved analysis methods for
predicting core performance that reduce design approximations, uncertainties, and associated
conservatism. Funding has been identified in the estimated amount of $22,000,000 to support
this work in FY 2012, including the following:
• Develop and qualify design procedures and computer programs for analyzing advanced
Pressurized Water Reactor cores.
• Develop technologies and methods to support advanced PWR and advanced concept designs.
• Maintain integrated, state-of-the-art software systems for reactor core performance analysis.
• Continue analysis support for physics testing of the A1B core.
• Develop test predictions and related analysis for Next Generation Reactor new construction
testing.
• Perform nuclear analysis required to develop more accurate power distribution to use to
improve core thermal performance.
• Perform nuclear analysis required to develop advanced core designs and performance
characteristics for future application.
• Identify and perform experimental programs required to improve neutron-cross section data.
• Develop and implement integrated and automated tools for developing model input for core
geometry and materials, job execution and post processing.
• Qualify advanced nuclear design methods and software against experimental data from
operating cores and critical mockups to confirm the accuracy of the calculations and establish
appropriate uncertainties to apply to nuclear design.
• Improve computer code computational algorithms to be able to do three-dimensional core
calculations.
Safety Analysis and Shielding: This work focuses on conducting reactor safety and shielding
analysis for nuclear reactor plants to ensure containment of radiation and proper protection of
Naval Reactors/
Operations and Maintenance
Page 449
FY 2012 Congressional Budget