BWRX-300

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The BWRX-300 is a design for a small modular nuclear reactor proposed by GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH). This reactor would be cooled by the natural circulation of water, making it distinct from most nuclear plants which require active cooling with electrical pumps. The BWRX-300 would feature passive safety, in that neither external power nor operator action would be required to maintain a safe state, even in extreme circumstances.

Technology[]

The BWRX-300 is an evolution of an earlier GE Hitachi reactor design, the Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor, but individually smaller. Boiling water reactors are tried and tested nuclear technology that use ordinary light water as a nuclear reactor coolant. Like most boiling water reactors, the BWRX-300 will use low pressure water to remove heat from the core. A distinct feature of this reactor design is that water is circulated within the core by natural circulation. This is in contrast to most nuclear reactors which require electrical pumps to provide active cooling of the fuel. This system has advantages in terms of both simplicity and economics.

Decay heat removal[]

Immediately after a nuclear reactor shuts down, almost 7% of its previous operating power continues to be generated, from the decay of short half-life fission products. In conventional reactors, removing this decay heat passively is challenging because of their low temperatures.

New Build Proposals[]

On December 1, 2021 Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has selected the BWRX-300 SMR for use at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. OPG has stated that the reactors could be completed as early as 2028.^[1]

On December 16, 2021 Synthos Green Energy, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and BWXT Canada announced their intention to deploy at least 10 BWRX-300 reactors in Poland in the early 2030s.^[2]

External links[]

• [1], THE BWRX-300 SMALL MODULAR REACTOR

References[]

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