Design Concept of Advanced Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor and Related R&D in Korea

Korea imports about 97% of its energy resources due to a lack of available energy resources. In this status, the role of nuclear power in electricity generation is expected to become more important in future years. In particular, a fast reactor system is one of the most promising reactor types for electricity generation, because it can utilize efficiently uranium resources and reduce radioactive waste. Acknowledging the importance of a fast reactor in a future energy policy, the long-term advanced SFR development plan was authorized by KAEC in 2008 and updated in 2011 which will be carried out toward the construction of an advanced SFR prototype plant by 2028. Based upon the experiences gained during the development of the conceptual designs for KALIMER, KAERI recently developed advanced sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) design concepts of TRU burner that can better meet the generation IV technology goals. The current status of nuclear power and SFR design technology development program in Korea will be discussed. The developments of design concepts including core, fuel, fluid system, mechanical structure, and safety evaluation have been performed. In addition, the advanced SFR technologies necessary for its commercialization and the basic key technologies have been developed including a large-scale sodium thermal-hydraulic test facility, super-critical Brayton cycle system, under-sodium viewing techniques, metal fuel development, and developments of codes, and validations are described as R&D activities. 1. Introduction In Korea, electricity demand has increased by about eleven times since 1980 with an average annual growth rate of 8.7% mainly due to economic growth. The anticipated average annual growth rate is estimated to be 2.2% during the period of 2010 to 2024, as shown in Figure 1 [1]. However, the available energy resources are extremely limited in Korea: no domestic crude oil, little natural gas, and limited sites for hydro power. Consequently, about 97% of energy resources come from abroad. Nuclear power plants currently generate about 40% of the total electricity, and the role of nuclear power plants in electricity generation in Korea is expected to become more important in the years to come due to Korea’s lack of natural resources. The significance of nuclear power will become even greater, considering its practical potential in coping with the emission control of green-house gases. This heavy dependence on nuclear power eventually raise the issues of an efficient utilization of uranium resources, which Korea presently imports from abroad,