Pre-feasibility study of a deep-pool reactor for seawater desalination

The deep-pool reactor (DPR) is a heating reactor working under atmospheric pressure and moderate temperature for the requirements of seawater desalination. This reactor is distinctive from other nuclear power reactors, with key features including simplicity of structure, proven technology, small power size and inherent safety of the non-pressurized system. In addition, by putting this reactor pool underground and adding a thick concrete shield over the pool as a barrier, it not only prevents loss of pool water but also improves the safety of the reactor. An engineering project pre-feasibility study of a 200 MW DPR for seawater desalination in the coastal area of Tianjin, China, has been completed recently. The nuclear plant coupled with a low-temperature, multi-effect distillation (MED) plant was designed to produce drinking water with a capacity of 80,000 m(3)/d. The economic evaluation of the nuclear desalination project was carried out using the DEEP program provided by the IAEA. Technical specifications and economic aspects of the project are briefly presented in this paper.