Operator-Free Super-Safe Small Reactor "RAPID-L using Self Actuated Reactivity Control Systems

Abstract

The 200 kWe uranium-nitride fueled lithium cooled operator-free reactor RAPID-L has been established. The reactor has no control rod, but involves the following innovative reactivity control systems : Lithium Expansion Modules (LEM) for inherent reactivity feedback, Lithium Injection Modules (LIM) for inherent ultimate shutdown, and Lithium Release Modules (LRM) for automated reactor startup. All these systems adopt lithium-6 as a liquid poison instead of B_4C rods. In combination with LEMs, LIMs and LRMs, RAPID-L can be operated without operator. Transient characteristics by plant dynamics analyses are demonstrated in this paper.