We also recommend that $2 million be provided to the NRC to provide a basis for adequate licensing review and the issuance of a licensability statement. The modular HTGR and the liquid metal reactor have different roles within the DOE advanced reactor program, and we recommend that development of both concepts be continued. This recommendation to continue current development of both concepts is in agreement with the recommendations made in the April 1986 executive summary of the advanced reactor development subpanel of the Energy Research Advisory Board's Civilian Nuclear Power Panel. We support the testimony of John McDonald of Rockwell International concerning the benefits and advantages of the SAFR modular LMFR concept which now can incorporate the advantages of metal fuel described by Dr. Till of Argonne National Laboratory in his testimony. We recommend that the modular LMR funding level proposed by the House Subcommittee on Energy Research and Production, chaired by Representative Lloyd, be maintained. Mr. Chairman, I thank you for the opportunity to provide comments to this committee. [The prepared statement of Mr. Chernock follows:] STATEMENT SUBMITTED TO SENATE ENERGY AND COMMERCE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE FY 1987 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NUCLEAR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS Warren P. Chernock Vice President, Advanced Nuclear Systems Nuclear Power Systems Combustion Engineering, Inc. May 5, 1986 Mr. Chairman and is Warren P. Chernock. members of the Subcommittee, my name I am Vice President, Advanced Nuclear Systems, at Combustion Engineering, Inc. have this opportunity to comment on some aspects of the nuclear option is to build upon proven Light Water Reactor Technology. The cooperative effort between DOE and the Electric of Power Research Institute (EPRI) in the development detailed requirements for future PWRS and verification of designs incorporating these new requirements is an important facet in restoring the nuclear option. We recommend that the DOE proposed funding level for this remain intact, even in light of our even at the effort for FY 1987 recommended increases recommend the EPRI support in FY 1987 funding for the Modular HTGR. However, we that the direction of the DOE effort in support of LWR program be more heavily focused on additional of the EPRI requirements and DOE design verification efforts expense of application of Government funds to enhance design and development of "so-called" advanced LWRs being designed in conjunction with foreign partners overseas. The Modular High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor has characteristics which are particularly useful in achieving the objectives of the unique advanced reactor program. advanced concepts which can Its high temperature withstand a total loss of coolant. capability makes it uniquely suited for applications in addition to electricity generation. Such applications include process heat, the transportation industry and other high energy consumption industrial sectors. The DOE MHTGR Program year. participants. has gained significant forward momentum during the past A consensus design has been developed by DOE program This design is a 350 MW thermal side-by-side steel vessel reactor with prismatic fuel and an annular It is this design which now forms the basis of a PSID being pursued by DOE. An objective to obtain an initial licensability from the NRC will require adequate core. statement of funding for both DOE and NRC in FY 1987. In particular, MHTGR be we recommend that the budget for FY 1987 for the increased to the $32M level recommended in the Joint Partici attached to Mr. Walker's written pants' Statement which is testimony. We recommend that $2M be provided to the NRC to provide a basis for adequate licensing review and the issuance of a licensability statement. A utility contemplating the purchase of a nuclear plant with a projected lifetime of forty to sixty years will want assurance of an affordable fuel supply over that span of time. The Liquid Metal Reactor (LMR) has been chosen throughout the world as the best way to breed plutonium. The unique Modular LMR concept currently under features of the DOE development, for example the SAFR Design, involve a coolant which is not under pressure So that the primary coolant boundary is not highly stressed. The probability of leaks and loss of coolant accidents are minimized. Natural circulation is readily achievable in liquid sodium and the large coolant mass leads to desirable slow response to upsets. Thus, the Modular LMR is a strong candidate to meet the objectives of the advanced reactor program while providing a "bridge" to the breeder when this is needed to supply fissile fuel. recommend that the funding level proposed by the House Subcommittee on Energy Research and Production, chaired by Ms. Lloyd, be retained to maintain momentum on this important program. We within the DOE Advanced The MHTGR and the Modular LMR have different roles Reactor Program, and we recommend that development of both concepts be continued at the funding levels proposed above. This recommendation to continue current development of both concepts is consistent with the recommendations made in the April 1986 Executive Summary of the Advanced Reactor Development Subpanel of the Energy Research Advisory Board's (ERAB) Panel. DOE/EPRI COOPERATIVE EFFORT ON LWRS Civilian Nuclear Power Combustion Engineering, Inc. agrees with the views expressed by DOE that, in the near term, the best opportunity to restore the nuclear option to the electric utility industry is to build upon proven Light Water Reactor (LWR) technology. こ |