A conceptual design of an inherently safe reactor (ISR) has been developed by Nuclear Engineering Faculty and Students at the Ohio State University (OSU). The design, which won critical acclaims of many experts in the field of nuclear reactor safety, makes extensive use of conventional light water reactor (LWR) technology, but also incorporates several innovative passive features. The ultimate goal of the research outlined in this proposal is twofold: to develop and document a methodology for quantifying the benefits of passive reactor safety features, and to determine the safety gains in incorporating into a 340-MWe boiling water reactor (BWR) (a) natural circulation and (b) a passive steam-driven emergency core cooling system (ECCS) contained within a prestressed concrete reactor vessel. The method as applied to the OSU-ISR will include verification of full power, shutdown and accident natural circulation modes, identification of system reliability based on natural circulation parameters and finally, comparison of results with current LWR systems. The proposed research program in essence will develop a methodology and apply to the OSU-ISR concept to determine the relative safety and reliability of the modified BWR system as compared to current light water reactor technology.
