Review of Thermal-Hydraulic Issues and Studies of Lead-based fast reactors

The lead-based reactor is one of the fourth-generation nuclear energy systems with excellent development prospects. It has attracted much attention because of its unique advantages in fuel transmutation and breeding, passive safety, and economic efficiency. In this study, the main features of typical lead-based fast reactors (LFRs) worldwide are reviewed and current challenges in their development are pointed out. Moreover, the research progress in four main thermal-hydraulic aspects is overviewed and discussed, including the flow and heat transfer characteristics of the coolant, thermal-hydraulic analysis of the reactor core, lead pool and reactor system. These aspects are further divided into specific issues according to the developing needs of LFR. For each issue, up-to-date research findings, existing difficulties, and future trends are presented. This study can serve as a reference for the design and thermal-hydraulic analysis of LFRs.