Question

Select the incorrect statement about PWR.

(a) High primary circuit pressure requires a strong pressure vessel

(b) Corrosion is less in PWR

(c) During fuel charging in PWR, the reactor has to be shut down at least for a month

(d) PWR results in uneven heating

This question was posed to me during an interview.

Enquiry is from Types of Nuclear Reactor & Nuclear Waste topic in portion Nuclear Power Plant of Energy Engineering

Answer 1

Correct option is (b) Corrosion is less in PWR

Easy explanation: Presence of high temperature and high pressure water, the corrosion is severe. This means use of stainless steel adds to further costing. When γ- radiations pass through the pressure vessel it results in uneven heating which induces thermal stresses on vessels.