浅谈铅基快堆的冷却剂

Lead-cooledfast reactor is one of the sixGIF definedgeneration IV reactor types. Use of liquid lead or liquid lead bismuth alloy as coolant in a lead-based fast reactor poses significant advantages. The physical properties of liquid lead strongly influence almost all key design elements of the reactor, including reactor physics, thermal-hydraulics, safety, materials, structure, system equipment, and operation maintenance, etc. In this paper, lead and lead bismuth eutectic alloys, the two main lead-based coolants, are discussed from six different aspects:melting point, solid-liquid conversion characteristics, corrosion of materials, impact of ²¹⁰Po, containing capacity of radioactive substances, and coolant cost effectiveness. The differences in physical properties and their impact on the reactors are analyzed. Compared to lead cooled fast reactors, lead bismuth fast reactors have advantages such as wider operation temperature range, more flexible and convenient operation and maintenance, simpler system, better safety and economy, and broader application prospects. Lead bismuth fast reactor is a reasonable choice for China whose current goal is to develop into a major power in the world arena of nuclear energy.