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 nonpressurized 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 m3/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.

The DPR reactor has a high-level safety feature of a non-pressurized reactor located under ground, and this is expected to improve public acceptance for nuclear energy. For the first nuclear desalination demonstration project, steam temperature of 70°C supplied by the DPR is a preferable option since it is relatively simple and easy for the design and construction of a reactor; the low-temperature desalination process also has good experience. The preliminary economic analysis for the nuclear desalination system showed that this solution is economically attractive for large-scale freshwater supply without contributing to increasing traffic and environmental pollution (i.e., from coal) on the coastal area. These characteristics determine the significant viability of a commercial nuclear desalination program as the ultimate solution for freshwater shortages in water-short regions.