Instrumentation and Control Design for Small Modular Reactors

Small Modular Reactors are one of the most compelling options for meeting the growing clean energy demands of the U.S. While safer and costing less to build and operate than their conventional counterparts, there are fundamental design differences between traditional commercial nuclear power plants and small modular reactors that require the development of new and innovative sensors and measurement techniques to control and monitor the safety of the plants. This is a proposal for development of new sensors capable of meeting small modular reactor measurement needs, adaptation of existing and emerging sensing technologies capable of being used in small modular reactors, and development of commercially viable maintenance practices to enable safe and efficient operation of small modular reactors. In Phase I, the proposing firm investigated the challenges and measurement needs of leading small modular reactor designs and demonstrated the feasibility of new sensor technologies. In the Phase II project, prototype sensors and sensor testing technologies were developed and demonstrated in process conditions representative of small modular reactors. The Phase IIB project will build up on the results of the Phase I and Phase 2 projects to develop technologies that will provide small modular reactors vendors with 1) guidance on selection, testing, qualification, installation, and maintenance of sensors and cables, 2) laboratory and field testing services to small modular reactor vendors like NuScale as they progress towards design certification and commercial deployment, 3) maintenance procedures for in-situ testing of sensor and cable performance and 4) guidelines for sensor and cable aging management and potential replacement schedules. COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS AND OTHER BENEFITS: The Phase IIB project will enable the proposing firm to develop commercial equipment and techniques that are needed to test sensors for process measurements in small modular reactors. The equipment and methodologies proposed in this project will enable small modular reactor manufacturers to practically and economically verify the performance of their critical sensors and cables. These efforts will pave the way for successful deployment of small modular reactors in the United States and other countries.