A Designers View of Nuclear Energy - Department of Materials ...

Light Water Reactors are DominantPressurised Water & Boiling Water ReactorsPWR• Derived from submarine propulsionreactors & widely installed around theworld ~ half of world capacity;• Low thermal efficiency ~33%;• Major problem was Three Mile Island in1981 where minor fault led to confusingsignals & operators damaged reactor;• Initial materials problems led to lowreliability - since rectified• Now preferred in EU, Russia & China,sharing market in US with BWRBWR• Simpler plant with integrated core coolingand power cycle, high radiation dose fromoperation;• Core and steam separation integrated inone vessel;• Activated Nitrogen 16 can limits access toturbine during operation;• Some doubts about safety containment;• More complex coolant chemistry;• Popular in US, Sweden and Japan.6