New challenges for the steam-power cycle in power plants based on lead-cooled reactors

Abstract

The current development of lead-cooled reactor plants places the main focus of R&D on the primary circuit of the power plant. However, the high melting point of lead significantly affects the design of the secondary circuit, in particular, necessitating the creation of a special system for heating feedwater at the inlet to steam generators to a temperature that exceeds the melting point of the reactor coolant. The present article substantiates the need for the functional allocation of this system and formulates its main requirements.