On Jul 31, 8:51 pm, "Peter Dohm" wrote:
wrote in message

ups.com...

On Jul 31, 2:36 pm, "Gig 601XL Builder" wrDOTgiaconaATsuddenlink.net
wrote:
wrote:
On Jul 27, 7:32 pm, "Gig 601XL Builder" wrDOTgiaconaATsuddenlink.net
wrote:
wrote:

...

USN reactor designs are quite different from civilian reactor
designs for a number of reasons. In Particular, the former
use more highly enriched-fuel to minimize their size. That
is unnecessary for a baseline US utility, and also undesirable
from a proliferation perspective.

...

The thought process is that if we used smaller reactors and stop
designing the damn things everytime one get's built they would be
more affordable. I have no problem with guarding the hell out of
them. It would be cheaper than the way we have done it in the pass.

Using a common design for all nuclear power reactors in
the US would require the elimination of competition between
the companies building them. So long as we have quasi-public
utilities, that won't happen. France has a Socialist economy.

As for proliferation issues, US designs are sold overseas,
to countries like South Korea. Egypt and at one time Iran.
The light water moderated low-enriched Uranium design that
is inherently proliferation-resistant is advantageous and not
really much of an impediment from an engineering standpoint,
to economy. Major design differences for the export market
would be a problem.

FF

I didn't say a thing about not having competion in the market. I don't
care
if there are 2 or 200 companies makeing them. I just think it is
wasteful
to have each plant designed on a white sheet of paper.

If they are, it is because the customer wants their next power plant
to be a certain way and the A/E's bid accordingly using as much
commonality with previous designs as possible.

Back when I was in the industry, a couple of utilities were having
more than one plant built to essentially the same design. I'm
pretty sure South Korea has several near-identical plants.

--

FF

I have heard rumors that there are three standard and approved designs.

However, it is not my occupational specialty and it has never been my
industry; so I really don't know.


Here in the United States all commerical nuclear power plants are
either
boiling water reactors (BWR) or pressurized water reactors (PWR).

There is lot more to 'design' than that broad dichotomy. No two
power plants are exactly alike.

--

FF