Design Study of Nuclear Steelmaking System

The conceptual designing of a pilot plant for an integrated nuclear steelmaking system has shown that the plant is feasible from the standpoints of process configuration, plant operation and control, plant safety, and other considerations. The systems approach adopted in the conceptual designing is outlined; its effectiveness was verified in the course of design. Introduction of the concept of utility complex, a concept which should be generally applicable to the various energy sectors in the future application of process heat from nuclear energy, was both necessary and advantageous. The standardization of the secondary helium loop, or the loop module concept, which was needed to materialize the utility complex, is discussed. Finally, the results of conceptual designing of the pilot plant and the prototype plant, based on the loop module concept, were presented. Recommendations made on the basis of the prototype plant design are that the capacity of one reactor unit should be 500 MW, and that the plant should operate on the multi-reactor system to ensure stable production of secondary energy. It is emphasized that the utility complex concept and the loop module concept would be highly effectively utilized in developing systems for applying nuclear heat in the future. 9 ref.--AA