Pressure Tubes: The Pressure Vessels in the CANDU Nuclear Power Reactor

Abstract

One of the main engineering characteristics of the CANDU nuclear power reactor is the use of pressure tubes rather than one large pressure vessel to contain the fuel and coolant. The power reactor basically consists of a calandria, which is a vessel containing the low pressure heavy water moderator, end shields, and an array of identical pressure tube assemblies which project through the end shields and calandria. This paper briefly describes the CANDU reactor, some of the design and development done in support of the pressure tube concept, and the Canadian experience with pressure tubes.