GE BWR

• BWR Type 1 (BWR-1, BWR/1): In 1955 GE developed their original VBWR design into the 197 MW Dresden 1 (6×6, 7×7) reactor, embodying the first iteration of GE's BWR/1 design. Dresden 1 used forced circulation (via external recirculation pumps) and a unique dual cycle (direct+indirect) heat transfer design that proved to be uneconomical. GE further developed the BWR-1 design with the 70 MW Big Rock Point (9×9, 11×11, 12×12) reactor, which (like all GE BWR models following Dresden 1) used the more economical direct cycle method of heat transfer, but disposed with the external recirculation pumps in favor of natural circulation (an unusual strategy that only the 55 MW Dodewaard reactor adopted, although this technique has been resurrected for the newest Gen III+ ESBWR). The 65 MW Humboldt Bay (6×6, 7×7) reactor followed Big Rock Point, returning to the more efficient forced circulation method (via external recirculation pumps). These experimental designs (all of which shared the BWR-1 classification despite their divergent designs) used fuel rod bundles in 6×6, 7×7, 8×8, 9×9, 11×11, and 12×12 configurations, but GE's 9×9 bundle later used in BWR/2–6 reactors is different from the one used in the BWR/1 era.[1] The BWR/1 was the first BWR design with internal steam separation. It also had an isolation condenser, and pressure suppression containment.[2]

• BWR Type 2 (BWR-2, BWR/2): Introduced in 1963, >500 MW, typically around 650 MW gross (Oyster Creek, Nine Mile Point 1).[3][4] Included a large direct cycle. 5 recirculation loops, variable speed external recirculation pumps (one pump per loop, each pump's flow rate could be varied from 6,400 to 32,000 US gallons per minute (0.40 to 2.02 m³/s)). This design, as well as the BWR/3–6, would all later be classified as Generation II reactors for their increased scale, improved safety features, commercial viability, profitability, and long lifetime.[2]

• BWR Type 3 (BWR-3, BWR/3): Introduced in 1965, 800 MW (Dresden 2–3).[4] First use of internal jet pumps (single nozzle, 10 per loop, 20 total). 2 recirculation loops, variable speed recirculation pumps (one pump per loop, each pump had a rated flow of 45,200 US gallons per minute (2.85 m³/s)). Improved ECCS spray and flood, improved feedwater spargers. Monticello and Pilgrim 1 had significantly lower power ratings despite also being classified as BWR/3 models.

Browns Ferry Unit 1 drywell and wetwell under construction, within a Mark I containment

• BWR Type 4 (BWR-4, BWR/4): Introduced in 1966, 1100 MW (Browns Ferry 1–3). Largely similar to the BWR/3 in design with an identical recirculation system, but power density was increased by 20%.[4] Available with either Mark I or Mark II containment.

• BWR Type 5 (BWR-5, BWR/5): Introduced in 1969, 1100 MW (LaSalle 1–2). Same number of loops (2) & jet pumps (20), but the jet pumps were upgraded to a five nozzle design. Variable speed pumps were replaced with two-speed pumps (each rated at 35,400 US gallons per minute (2.23 m³/s) for a discharge pressure head of 865 feet (264 m)), and a flow control valve (adjustable from 22% open to 100% open with a linear flow response) was added to each loop for use in regulating recirculation flow (capable of regulating recirculation flow between 35% and 100% with the pumps in the fast speed setting, or between 30% and 40% with the pumps in the slow speed setting). Improved ECCS valve flow control. Only available with Mark II containment.

• BWR Type 6 (BWR-6, BWR/6): Introduced in 1972, available in configurations ranging from 600–1400 MW. Transitioned from 7×7 to 8×8 fuel bundle with longer and thinner fuel rods that fit within the same external footprint as the previous 7×7 fuel bundle, reduced fuel duty (to 13.4 kW/ft (44 kW/m)), improved compact jet pumps with higher circulation capacity (available with 16–24 total jet pumps depending on the configuration), increased capacity of the steam separators and dryers, increased fuel capacity, increased output (20% increase vs. BWR/5 when using the same size pressure vessels), improved ECCS, introduced an option for a compact control room, and introduced a solid-state nuclear system protection system option (only Clinton took this). First and only model available with Mark III containment.

• ABWR: Higher safety margins, no external recirculation loops, reactor internal pumps. It also has fine motion control rod drives.

• ESBWR: Passive safety, natural circulation (no loops or pumps), 1600 MW. It has a gravity flooder, isolation condenser, and passive containment cooling.[2]

• 7x7 fuel bundle.[1]

• Improved 7x7 fuel bundle with 49 fuel rods, one of which is segmented.[1]

• 8x8 fuel bundle with 63 fuel rods and 1 water rod.[1]

• Retrofit 8x8 fuel bundle Prepressurized and Barrier fuel bundles containing 62 and two water rods.[1]

• Prepressurized at 3ATM with helium with a Barrier

• 8x8 fuel bundle with 58 to 62 fuel rods and 2-6 water rods.[1] Prepressurized at 5ATM with helium.

A drywell containment building which resembles an inverted lightbulb above the wetwell which is a steel torus containing water.

Described as an "over-under" configuration with the drywell forming a truncated cone on a concrete slab. Below is a cylindrical suppression chamber made of concrete rather than just sheet metal.

The GE Mark III Containment-system is a single barrier pressure containment and multi-barrier fission containment system, consisting of the containment vessel plus associated dry- and wetwell (pressure and fission barriers), the external shield building of it, the auxiliary building and the fuel building, all of which are normally kept at negative pressure which prevents the egress of fission products.

Features of the containment :

• Improved seismic response
• Lower pressure containment design, but significant larger volume than Mark I and II
• Improved pipe whip design
• Combines the dry containment (PWR-type) with the typical BWR-pressure suppression type containment