Emerging and existing sensing technologies for small modular reactors and advanced reactors - 191

Conference · Thu Jun 15 04:00:00 EDT 2017

OSTI ID:23035319

Hashemian, A. H.; Toll, T. A.; Hashemian, H. M. ^[1]

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1. Analysis and Measurement Services Corporation, 9119 Cross Park Drive Knoxville, TN 3792 (United States)

The development of small modular reactors (SMRs) and Generation-IV advanced reactor designs represents a promising future for nuclear energy. These next-generation reactors can support new applications for nuclear energy like hydrogen production, industrial heat generation, and water desalination in addition to electricity generation. Furthermore, SMRs and advanced reactors enable load-following operations, offer improved passive safety features, support lengthened refueling cycles, and provide spent fuel management capabilities. To date, there are no SMRs operating or under construction in the United States, but commercial operation of the first integral Pressurized Water Reactor (iPWR) SMR is expected by the mid-2020's with Generation-IV advanced reactors to follow a decade or two later. To facilitate the development and deployment of SMRs and advanced reactors, key instrumentation and control (I and C) system challenges must be addressed and existing nuclear grade I and C sensors will need to be adapted or new sensors developed. For example, traditional measurement techniques and maintenance strategies used in the current generation of light water reactors (LWRs) will be challenged by the inherent design characteristics of the iPWR. For Generation-IV reactors, conventional I and C sensors will not withstand prolonged exposure to the harsh environmental conditions of advanced reactors (e.g. elevated temperatures, corrosive coolants, increased radiation). This paper discusses the challenges associated with making primary system process measurements in next-generation reactors and includes a summary of work performed to evaluate existing and emerging sensor technologies for these systems. As importantly, the paper presents the initial test results of a prototype temperature sensor developed by Analysis and Measurement Services Corporation (AMS) for use in SMRs and advanced reactors. (authors)

• Research Organization: American Nuclear Society - ANS, 555 North Kensington Avenue, La Grange Park, IL 60526 (United States)
• OSTI ID: 23035319
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
CONSTRUCTION
COOLANTS
DESALINATION
FUEL MANAGEMENT
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
NUCLEAR ENERGY
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER GENERATION
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR CONTROL SYSTEMS
REACTOR DESIGN
REACTOR INSTRUMENTATION
REACTOR MAINTENANCE
REACTOR OPERATION
REACTOR SAFETY
SENSORS
SMALL MODULAR REACTORS
SPENT FUELS