AP600
Encyclopedia
The AP600 is a model of relatively small, 600 MWe nuclear power plant
designed by Westinghouse Electric Company
. The AP600 has passive safety features characteristic of the Generation III reactor
concept. The projected core damage frequency
is nearly 1000 times less than today's NRC
requirements, on par with plants currently being considered for construction. The design has been scaled up and improved with the AP1000.
Certification testing and analysis of the AP600 and AP1000 reactor designs for Westinghouse were conducted at the APEX facility at Oregon State University
. The one-quarter scale reduced pressure integral system certified the passively safe systems that cool the reactor core using gravity and natural circulation.
The NRC
's final design certification was received in 1999 but no orders were ever placed. A large reason Westinghouse
entered development of the AP1000 was to improve the economies of scale that come with larger MWe plants.
The more powerful AP1000 was designed to have a similar footprint but a taller containment and a power output of 1000 MWe or greater.
Nuclear power plant
A nuclear power plant is a thermal power station in which the heat source is one or more nuclear reactors. As in a conventional thermal power station the heat is used to generate steam which drives a steam turbine connected to a generator which produces electricity.Nuclear power plants are usually...
designed by Westinghouse Electric Company
Westinghouse Electric Company
Westinghouse Electric Company LLC is a nuclear power company, offering a wide range of nuclear products and services to utilities throughout the world, including nuclear fuel, service and maintenance, instrumentation and control and advanced nuclear plant designs...
. The AP600 has passive safety features characteristic of the 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...
concept. The projected core damage frequency
Core damage frequency
Core damage frequency is a term used in probabilistic risk assessment that indicates the likelihood of an accident that would cause damage to a nuclear reactor core. Core damage accidents are considered serious because damage to the core may prevent control of the nuclear reaction, which can lead...
is nearly 1000 times less than today's NRC
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is an independent agency of the United States government that was established by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 from the United States Atomic Energy Commission, and was first opened January 19, 1975...
requirements, on par with plants currently being considered for construction. The design has been scaled up and improved with the AP1000.
Certification testing and analysis of the AP600 and AP1000 reactor designs for Westinghouse were conducted at the APEX facility at Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
. The one-quarter scale reduced pressure integral system certified the passively safe systems that cool the reactor core using gravity and natural circulation.
The NRC
NRC
NRC may refer to:Research centres and other establishments* National Research Centre, Egypt* National Research Council * Nokia Research Center* United States National Research CouncilOther educational* National Resource Center, U.S...
's final design certification was received in 1999 but no orders were ever placed. A large reason Westinghouse
Westinghouse Electric Company
Westinghouse Electric Company LLC is a nuclear power company, offering a wide range of nuclear products and services to utilities throughout the world, including nuclear fuel, service and maintenance, instrumentation and control and advanced nuclear plant designs...
entered development of the AP1000 was to improve the economies of scale that come with larger MWe plants.
The more powerful AP1000 was designed to have a similar footprint but a taller containment and a power output of 1000 MWe or greater.