LAUSR

Abstract In this work, the development and technologies of micro heat pipe cooled reactor are overviewed. The micro heat pipe cooled reactor, mainly consists of a reactor core, energy conversion system, shielding and heat removal system, is a new type reactor using heat pipes to cool the core. It is a potential candidate for the electricity supplying in decentralized electricity market. With the adoption of heat pipe, monolithic core and high efficient energy conversion system, this reactor is greatly simplified by omitting the main pipeline, circulating pump and auxiliary equipments, which results in a low cost and compact system. The monolithic reactor design is highly evolved in neutronics and thermal hydraulics. Compared with the commercial nuclear power plant, these micro reactors are factory manufacturable and transportable, thus the launch or transportation accident safety should be guaranteed. Until now, this kind of reactor design of kilowatt level is more mature than that of megawatt level. The difficulties and challenges need to be overcome in the future are summarized, including heat pipe cascading failure, fuel enrichment, structure integrity, machining, monolithic thermal stress, inspection and qualification, etc.