NuScale small modular reactor

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The NuScale small modular reactor is a smaller version of a standard Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR). This article will address the issues raised in the parent article Nuclear power reconsidered. Information is from the company website,^[1] factsheet,^[2] and 2020 Status Report to the IAEA.^[3]

Diagram and specifications for the reactor.

The NuScale Power Module (NPM) is a 250 megawatts thermal (MWt) integral pressurized water reactor (IPWR) that employs gravity-driven natural circulation of the primary coolant for both normal operation and shutdown mode. The NPM, including containment, is fully factory-built and shipped to the plant site by truck, rail, or barge.

Safety[edit]

Accidental overheating.
• In a station blackout condition, the NPM safely shuts down and self-cools indefinitely—with no operator action, AC/DC power, or additional water needed.
• The feedwater and steam exit valves will close in the event of an emergency situation, and a secondary set of valves will open to depressurize steam from the reactor core into the containment vessel surrounding the reactor.^[4]
• Natural circulation for normal operation eliminates the need for large primary piping and reactor coolant pumps.
• Each NPM houses approximately 5 percent of the nuclear fuel of a conventional 1,000 MWe nuclear reactor.

Sabotage
• NPMs are submerged in a below-grade pool of water housed in a Seismic Category 1, aircraft impact resistant building that serves as the ultimate heat sink for core cooling.

Waste Management[edit]

Same as existing Pressurized Water Reactors.

Weapons Proliferation[edit]

Same as existing Pressurized Water Reactors.

Cost[edit]

Specs for a 500MWe plant:
Plant cost per KW (including building but not land, permits or licensing):^[5]
Operating cost per KWh (including fuel and maintenance):
Initial fuel load:
Fuel consumption per day:

Notes and References[edit]