Severe Accident Phenomena: A Comparison Among the NuScale SMR, Other Advanced LWR Designs, and Operating LWRs
During a severe accident in a nuclear reactor, there are a number of phenomenological events which can present a challenge to containment integrity. These include the generation and combustion of hydrogen, energetic fuel-coolant interactions, thermal attack of fission product barriers, core-concrete interactions, direct containment heating, and gradual overpressurization. The advanced design of the NuScale small modular reactor has resulted in the reduced likelihood and severity of severe accident challenges to containment. This paper discusses the features of the NuScale design that reduce the likelihood of occurrence of these severe accident phenomena, and discusses the ability of containment to survive in the unlikely event that they do occur. Here, the impact of severe accident phenomena for the NuScale design is compared and contrasted against other advanced light water reactors, such as AP1000 and ESBWR, as well as the existing fleet, using information from publicly available documents.
- Research Organization:
- NuScale Power LLC, Corvallis, OR (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- NE0008928
- OSTI ID:
- 1647042
- Journal Information:
- Nuclear Technology, Journal Name: Nuclear Technology Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 206; ISSN 0029-5450
- Publisher:
- Taylor & Francis - formerly American Nuclear Society (ANS)Copyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
LWR severe accident research accomplishments and future plans
AP1000{sup R} severe accident features and post-Fukushima considerations