Consideration on follow-up development of pressurized water reactor technology

Abstract

In response to the follow-up development of pressurized water reactors (PWR), this study analyzes the challenges of PWR technology in the aspects of safety, environmental friendliness, economy, and operational flexibility and summarizes the feasible development directions in the future based on literature research and engineering practice experience, including advanced nuclear fuel, load follow without boron, and optimization of active and passive safety systems. In terms of long-term development, the research focus can be shifted from the optimization of safety systems to the elimination or reduction of the possibility of accidents and the improvement of modularization, intelligent operation, and maintenance levels. Thus, more research on the design theories and development of innovative technologies is necessary.