Integral PWR-Type Small Modular Reactor Developmental Status, Design Characteristics and Passive Features: A Review

Chireuding Zeliang, Yi Mi, Akira Tokuhiro, Lixuan Lu and Aleksey Rezvoi
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Chireuding Zeliang: Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4, Canada
Yi Mi: Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4, Canada
Akira Tokuhiro: Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4, Canada
Lixuan Lu: Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4, Canada
Aleksey Rezvoi: Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4, Canada

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-22

Abstract: In recent years, the trend in small modular reactor (SMR) technology development has been towards the water-cooled integral pressurized water reactor (iPWR) type. The innovative and unique characteristics of iPWR-type SMRs provide an enhanced safety margin, and thus offer the potential to expand the use of safe, clean, and reliable nuclear energy to a broad range of energy applications. Currently in the world, there are about eleven (11) iPWR-type SMRs concepts and designs that are in various phases of development: under construction, licensed or in the licensing review process, the development phase, and conceptual design phase. Lack of national and/or internatonal comparative framework for safety in SMR design, as well as the proprietary nature of designs introduces non-uniformity and uncertainties in regulatory review. That said, the major primary reactor coolant system components, such as the steam generator (SG), pressurizer (PRZ), and control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) are integrated within the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) to inherently eliminate or minimize potential accident initiators, such as LB-loss of coolant accidents (LOCAs). This paper presents the design status, innovative features and characteristics of iPWR-type SMRs. We delineate the common technology trends, and highlight the key features of each design. These reactor concepts exploit natural physical laws such as gravity to achieve the safety functions with high level of margin and reliability. In fact, many SMR designs employ passive safety systems (PSS) to meet the evolving stringent regulatory requirements, and the extended consideration for severe accidents. A generic classification of PSS is provided. We constrain our discussion to the decay heat removal system, safety injection system, reactor depressurization system, and containment system. A review and comparative assessment of these passive features in each iPWR-type SMR design is considered, and we underline how it maybe more advantageous to employ passive systems in SMRs in contrast to conventional reactor designs.

Keywords: small modular reactors; integrated pressurized water reactors; passive safety systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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