Year
2007
Abstract
Prospects for a sustained increase on energy demand worldwide are strengthening by the adverse effects of the traditional fuels (fossil) to the global environment, mainly because of the discharge of enormous amounts of greenhouse gases (GHG) and others contaminants to the atmosphere. Nuclear (in addition to hydro that is limited to certain regions) depicts the only option technically mature available capable to satisfy this growing demand free from GHG emissions. In the other hand the widespread concerns about nuclear safety and proliferation of nuclear weapons by diverting fissile materials from a commercial reactor are the uppermost challenges towards achieving massive acceptance of Nuclear Energy. Both conditions are highly significant for developing countries, most of them thirsty for incorporating small and medium size power plants according to their grid capacity. Presented on March 1984 in an international conference for the first time, CAREM Concept (developed by CNEA and INVAP), put the focus on these features aimed for engineering solutions that precludes or minimizes these adverse effects by design and lightens the requirements to safety and safeguards systems being they simpler, highly reliable and cost effective. The overall idea has been widely adopted by worldwide designers, originating a new category of small a medium size nuclear power plants frequently know as “integrated reactor” and/or “Advanced-passive safety-reactor”. The basic engineering of CAREM 25 (demonstration facility for CAREM 300) was developed in recent years while innovative engineering solutions were endorsed by a substantial experimental work. On August 24th 2006, the Argentine government gave a green light to the detail engineering and construction of the demonstration unit. This paper describes the main design features, progress and prospects of the CAREM project as well as proliferation resistant conditions applicable to the design.