Generation II reactor
Encyclopedia
A generation II reactor is a design classification for a nuclear reactor
, and refers to the class of commercial reactors built up to the end of the 1990s. Prototypical generation II reactors include the PWR
, CANDU, BWR, AGR
, and VVER
.
These are contrasted to generation I reactors, which refer to the early prototype and power reactors, such as Shippingport, Magnox
, Fermi 1, and Dresden
. The nomenclature for reactor designs, describing four 'generations', was proposed by the US Department of Energy when it introduced the concept of generation IV reactor
s.
The designation generation II+ reactor is sometimes used for modernised generation II designs built post-2000, such as the Chinese CPR-1000
, in competition with more expensive generation III reactor
designs. Typically the modernisation includes improved safety systems and a 60 year design life.
Generation II reactor designs generally had an original design life of 30 or 40 years. However many generation II reactor are being life-extended to 50 or 60 years, and a second life-extension to 80 years may also be economic in many cases.
Nuclear reactor
A nuclear reactor is a device to initiate and control a sustained nuclear chain reaction. Most commonly they are used for generating electricity and for the propulsion of ships. Usually heat from nuclear fission is passed to a working fluid , which runs through turbines that power either ship's...
, and refers to the class of commercial reactors built up to the end of the 1990s. Prototypical generation II reactors include the PWR
Pressurized water reactor
Pressurized water reactors constitute a large majority of all western nuclear power plants and are one of three types of light water reactor , the other types being boiling water reactors and supercritical water reactors...
, CANDU, BWR, AGR
Advanced gas-cooled reactor
An advanced gas-cooled reactor is a type of nuclear reactor. These are the second generation of British gas-cooled reactors, using graphite as the neutron moderator and carbon dioxide as coolant...
, and VVER
VVER
The VVER, or WWER, is a series of pressurised water reactors originally developed by the Soviet Union, and now Russia, by OKB Gidropress. Power output ranges from 440 MWe to 1200 MWe with the latest Russian development of the design...
.
These are contrasted to generation I reactors, which refer to the early prototype and power reactors, such as Shippingport, Magnox
Magnox
Magnox is a now obsolete type of nuclear power reactor which was designed and is still in use in the United Kingdom, and was exported to other countries, both as a power plant, and, when operated accordingly, as a producer of plutonium for nuclear weapons...
, Fermi 1, and Dresden
Dresden Nuclear Power Plant
Dresden Generating Station is the first privately financed nuclear power plant built in the United States. Dresden 1 was activated in 1960 and retired in 1978. Operating since 1970 are Dresden units 2 and 3, two General Electric boiling water reactors...
. The nomenclature for reactor designs, describing four 'generations', was proposed by the US Department of Energy when it introduced the concept of generation IV reactor
Generation IV reactor
Generation IV reactors are a set of theoretical nuclear reactor designs currently being researched. Most of these designs are generally not expected to be available for commercial construction before 2030...
s.
The designation generation II+ reactor is sometimes used for modernised generation II designs built post-2000, such as the Chinese CPR-1000
CPR-1000
The CPR-1000 is a Generation II+ pressurized water reactor, based on the French 900 MWe three cooling loop design imported in the 1990s, improved to have a net power output of 1,000 MWe and a 60 year design life....
, in competition with more expensive generation III reactor
Generation III reactor
A generation III reactor is a development of any of the generation II nuclear reactor designs incorporating evolutionary improvements in design developed during the lifetime of the generation II reactor designs...
designs. Typically the modernisation includes improved safety systems and a 60 year design life.
Generation II reactor designs generally had an original design life of 30 or 40 years. However many generation II reactor are being life-extended to 50 or 60 years, and a second life-extension to 80 years may also be economic in many cases.