PROBLEMS OF ATOMIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Series: Nuclear and Reactor Constants

since 1971

Русский (РФ)

ISSN 2414-1038 (online)

APPLICATION OF BORIC ACID IN WATER-COOLED REACTORS

EDN: JBKUQZ

Authors & Affiliations

Lebezov A.A., Kuzina Yu.A., Morozov A.V.
A.I. Leypunsky Institute for Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk, Russia

Lebezov A.A. – Director General.
Kuzina Yu.A. – Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy, Can. Sci. (Tech.).
Morozov A.V. – Leading Researcher, Dr. Sci. (Tech.). Contacts: 1, pl. Bondarenko, Obninsk, Kaluga region, Russia, 249033. Tel.: +7 (484) 399-81-19; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the use of liquid boron compounds in water-cooled pressurized reactors in our country and abroad. The history of the development of boron control technology is considered on the example of domestic pressurized water reactors, starting with VVER-1. The fundamentals of the use of boric acid in safety systems of various reactor installations are outlined. The evolution of the use of boron compounds in the core flooding systems of PWR and VVER reactors, using both active and passive operating principles, is considered. Problems associated with the cooling of the reactor core with boron compounds, associated with both dilution and crystallization of boric acid, have been identified. Various scenarios associated with non-uniform heterogeneous dilution of boric acid in the core are presented. The main results of the performed computational and experimental works aimed at studying the mass transfer of boric acid in the core are considered. The experience of solving the problem of accumulation and crystallization of boric acid in modern foreign reactors of the PWR type is analyzed. Based on the analysis carried out, recommendations are formulated and the main directions for studying the thermophysical properties and mass transfer of boric acid in relation to promising projects of domestic pressurized water reactors to ensure long-term efficient operation of passive safety systems are outlined.

Keywords
VVER, PWR, boric acid, regulation, core, dilution, crystallization

Article Text (PDF, in Russian)

References

UDC 621.039.58:536.423.4

Problems of Atomic Science and Technology. Series: Nuclear and Reactor Constants, 2023, no. 2, 2:12