Small modular reactors (SMRs) for producing nuclear energy: international developments

Author(s):  
D.T. Ingersoll
Author(s):  
Andrew Whittaker ◽  
Yin-Nan Huang ◽  
Bozidar Stojadinovic

The next edition of ASCE Standard 4 will include detailed provisions for the seismic isolation of structures, systems and components in safety-related nuclear structures. The provisions are based on those available in North America for buildings, bridges and other infrastructure but address issues particular to nuclear energy construction and take advantage of recent research funded by federal agencies, including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the National Science Foundation. The paper highlights these research products and their incorporation into ASCE Standard 4. Although the focus of the studies and ASCE Standard 4 is analysis of conventional light water reactors of 500+MWe, most of the conclusions are applicable to small modular reactors.


2014 ◽  
Vol 986-987 ◽  
pp. 315-321
Author(s):  
Wen Bin Xiong ◽  
Hou Ming Zhang ◽  
Bo Ping Zhang ◽  
Hu Wei Li ◽  
Gang Wang ◽  
...  

In recent years, advanced small nuclear power reactors, namely small modular reactors (SMRs), gained widespread attention. In areas where energy can’t be provided by large scale reactors and the nuclear power plants with large scale reactors can’t compete with the non-nuclear power plant technology, SMRs, as a versatile distributed integrated energy source, which result in expanding peaceful applications of nuclear energy, have enormous potential. This article describes the characteristics and analyzes prospects and challenges of SMRs.


Author(s):  
Zafar ullah Koreshi

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are economically competitive nuclear power systems aimed to provide sustainable clean safe and reliable nuclear energy free from the risk of fissile material proliferation. They are smaller versions of the present-day large nuclear power reactors with additional design simplifications, improved and reliable passive safety systems incorporating innovative concepts. With the intrinsic advantage of high power density and carbon-free emissions, SMRs and especially their innovative features are the signals for a nuclear comeback, or in Dr Alvin Weinberg’s words “the second nuclear era” in many ways. According to some estimates, there could be up to 96 SMRs by 2030. This paper addresses three vital areas to the understanding of the SMR’s in emerging global environments: (i) design, (ii) production of plutonium during operation, and (iii) their scope of applications. A representative, though very small SMR, Toshiba’s innovative 4S design is used for presenting estimates of plutonium production which are applicable to other SMRs as well. To better understand the viability of SMRs, this work considers the emerging developers, exporters and markets where SMRs can make significant improvements to the overall socio-economic development of societies challenged with formidable barriers.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document