ACR-1000

ACR-1000 is a type of Advanced CANDU Reactor (ACR) designed by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL). It is a Generation III reactor based on the CANDU reactor design, a type of pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR). The ACR-1000 is designed to produce approximately 1200 MWe of power, making it a larger and more efficient version of the traditional CANDU reactors.

Design

The ACR-1000 design incorporates several key features of the CANDU reactor design, including the use of heavy water as a neutron moderator, and light water as a coolant. This combination allows the reactor to operate on a once-through fuel cycle, using natural uranium as fuel. However, unlike traditional CANDU reactors, the ACR-1000 is designed to use slightly enriched uranium, which increases the efficiency of the reactor and reduces the amount of waste produced.

The ACR-1000 also incorporates several safety features, including a two-independent and diverse shutdown systems, a containment system designed to withstand severe accidents, and a passive cooling system that can remove heat from the reactor core without the need for active mechanical systems.

Development

The development of the ACR-1000 began in the early 2000s, as part of AECL's efforts to develop a new generation of more efficient and safer nuclear reactors. The design was completed in 2007, and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) began a pre-licensing review of the design in 2008. However, the development of the ACR-1000 was put on hold in 2011, when AECL's reactor division was sold to SNC-Lavalin.

Potential Applications

The ACR-1000 has been proposed for use in several countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and China. In Canada, the ACR-1000 was considered as a potential replacement for the aging fleet of CANDU reactors, but no orders have been placed to date. In the United Kingdom, the ACR-1000 was considered as part of the Generic Design Assessment process, but was withdrawn in 2008. In China, the ACR-1000 was proposed for use in the Qinshan nuclear power plant, but no decision has been made.

See Also

• CANDU reactor
• Pressurized heavy water reactor
• Generation III reactor
• Atomic Energy of Canada Limited