This is the second in our three part series about talking with open-minded skeptics about nuclear power. You can download the slide deck from here. You will need to log in, go to the downloads page, and select Slides for Talking Nuclear: Stage 2. In
Aside regarding Double Ended Guillotine Break (DEGB): The requirements associated with that absurd scenario are what drove mPower, NuScale, GE, Westinghouse, and Holtec to come up with novel and surprisingly expensive light water reactor designs that use integral pressure vessels that allow them to virtually eliminate primary piping.
It's a lot easier and cheaper to manufacture smaller, separate pressure vessels for the reactor, pressurizer and steam generators and connect them up with pipes, valves and pumps than to try to cram everything into a very tall vessel. O&M is also easier (aka cheaper).
Source: 3 yrs worth of engineering discussions at B&W mPower
Very impressive and useful research.
Aside regarding Double Ended Guillotine Break (DEGB): The requirements associated with that absurd scenario are what drove mPower, NuScale, GE, Westinghouse, and Holtec to come up with novel and surprisingly expensive light water reactor designs that use integral pressure vessels that allow them to virtually eliminate primary piping.
It's a lot easier and cheaper to manufacture smaller, separate pressure vessels for the reactor, pressurizer and steam generators and connect them up with pipes, valves and pumps than to try to cram everything into a very tall vessel. O&M is also easier (aka cheaper).
Source: 3 yrs worth of engineering discussions at B&W mPower