The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has stated a need for innovative designs of small nuclear power reactors for use in developing countries and in special applications. The desired reactor should ideally incorporate such features as small size (compact and from 50 to 300 MWe output); a fuel core with a long operating life; proliferation-resistant reactor and fuel technology; passive, built-in safety systems; and ease of transport to and deployment on site. An innovative small modular boiling water reactor design, SMART, is proposed which is expected to meet the DOE requirements. The ultimate objective of this project is to further develop and optimize the concept, and to demonstrate, through engineering analysis, that the proposed innovative concept is feasible, safe, economical, and licensable in the United States. In addition, the design basis accident envelope will be expanded to include severe accidents. This should help achieve a reactor design that includes walk-away safety features. Phase I of the project will concentrate on concept development, refinement of the design, and demonstration of the design feasibility through the use of basic engineering design calculations and more detailed analysis of a limited number of transient and accident scenarios. Among the design aspects to be examined are the core and fuel design (neutronic aspects), thermal-hydraulics behavior under steady state and during anticipated transients, response of containment and various safety systems under design basis and severe accident conditions, reactor materials, licensability, and economics. Additional analyses will be performed to demonstrate scalability over the contemplated power range of 50 to 300 MWe.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: A nuclear power reactor which is small, modular, safe, and uses, to a large extent, available and proven technology could potentially be successfully marketed to developing countries, and its proliferation resistant features would be attractive to the international community, which is concerned about proliferation of fissile material. In addition, the success of the small and modular design could serve to provide operational experience and a safety record valuable in reviving commercial interest in developing larger advanced light water reactors employing similar safety features.
