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Overview
Introduction
The OPEN100 Nuclear Power Plant is based on the standard nuclear pressurized water reactor (PWR) which uses water as both the moderator and the coolant for the reactor core. The nominal rating of 100 MWe is approximately 1/10 the size of a modern PWR plant. The smaller size has the feature of allowing for a proven and established design concept while increasing access to equipment through an expanded vendor supply chain.
Nominal Rating: 100 MWe
Reactor Type: Pressurized Water Reactor
Fuel Type: Enriched Uranium Dioxide
Power Cycle: Rankine Steam Cycle
Introduction
Pressurized Water Reactor
Like larger PWRs in operation today, the OPEN100 operates with a primary loop to generate hot water and a secondary loop to create and transfer steam through a turbine. Thermal energy is transformed to mechanical and then electrical power through a turbine generator set before returning the condensate back to the steam generator as part of a continuous cycle. Unlike large nuclear plants, but otherwise common throughout industry, the OPEN100 will employ an ACC which eliminates the need for high water requirements, that limit siting to large bodies of water.
Primary Loop Pressure: 2100 - 2250 psia
Primary Loop Temperature: 570-620F
Secondary Loop Pressure: 400 psia
Secondary Loop Temperature: 600F
Pressurized Water Reactor
Nuclear Island
Nuclear Island
The main components of any Nuclear Steam Supply System (NSSS) consist of the Reactor and the Reactor Coolant System (RCS). The RCS on the OPEN100, like any PWR, is comprised of several pumps to circulate the coolant, a pressurizer to maintain the constant pressure on the system, a steam generator, and the piping to transport the water back and forth between the reactor and the steam generator.
Heat Generated: 350 MWt
Primary Loop Flow: Pressurized Water Reactor
Primary Loop Pressure: 2250 psia
Hot Leg Temperature: 620F
Cold Leg Temperature: 450F
Balance of Plant
Balance of Plant
The balance of plant (BOP) for the OPEN100 design consists of a steam generator, piping to transport the steam to the turbine, an air-cooled condenser (ACC) to return the exhaust back into condensate, and pumps and auxiliary components to condition the water prior to returning it to the steam generator. This is simpler than the equivalent system in the modern PWR plant due to the reduction of several stages of steam extraction and reheating.
Turbine Net Generated Power: 100 MWe
Steam Flow: 1,425,000 pph
Steam Type: Superheated
Main Steam Pressure: 400 psia
Main Steam Temperature: 600F
Overall Site
Overall Site
The OPEN100 design includes three main structures. The containment bldg. includes the primary NSSS equipment; and then two additional buildings which support its operation and include the control room, BOP equipment, and auxiliary equipment for operations. External to these three structures are the Air Cooled Condensers, located outdoors, connected to the turbine building via large ductwork. This results in a simple and aesthetically pleasing layout which can be replicated in an identical configuration irrespective of site conditions.
Site Acreage: 8.25
Total Building Square Footage: 106,000
Containment Building Square Footage: 10,000
Turbine Building Square Footage: 48,000
Auxiliary Building Square Footage: 48,000
Environment Impact Assessmet
Environmental Considerations
Important to infrastructure development of any kind is minimizing its effects on the natural environment. While varying local site conditions often lead to expensive site specific engineering, the OPEN100 base design includes standard site agnostic features to reduce land disturbance and factors in full lifecycle considerations as well. Specifically the OPEN100 plant minimizes demands for water, land area, and external infrastructure additions.
Land Location: Semi-rural, near load center
Soil Type: Type B
Construction Area: 10 acre
Construction Erosion Boundary: Sediment barrier
Water Consumption: <60 gpm
Waste Heat Removal: Air
Environmental Contaminants: None
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