Design and prospects of small multifunctional pool research reactor

[Background]Pool-type research reactors are the key reactor types among the current multi-purpose research reactors in the world. They have attracted much attention due to their outstanding performance in safety characteristics, versatility, operation and maintenance. Among pool-type reactors, the design of small research reactors with a thermal power of 1-10MW is the most mature and has the widest application scenarios. [Purpose]In order to explore the development direction of the core design and application scenarios of pool-type research reactors in the future. [Methods]Firstly, a comparative study was conducted on the core scheme of small pool-type research reactors that have carried out RERTR (Reduced Enrichment Research and Test Reactor) de-enrichment projects and core redesigns around the world, and the fuel types and component structures that can be used in the core of future small pool-type research reactors and the current application of small pool-type research reactors around the world were analyzed. [Results]The development status of small pool-type research reactors in terms of fuel type and core structure was summarized, and the technical indicators of various neutron application scenarios of research reactors were summarized. [Conclusions]Finally, through horizontal comparative exploration and analysis, it was concluded that the future small pool-type research reactor will adopt a compact core design, high-density low-enriched uranium as fuel, based on a compact and movable small core, and with neutron source application facilities in large pools as the main development direction.