Safety analysis of pool‐type double containment of system‐integrated modular advanced reactor: A case study for Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Summary In March 2015, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed an agreement with South Korea to build the system‐integrated modular advanced reactor (SMART) originally developed by the Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute. The SMART is a structurally contained safe dual‐purpose power plant reactor that produces both electricity and desalination. This study aims to design a double‐containment structure with a pool‐type concept to enhance the SMART safety and develop a robust design for future modular reactors. For that purpose, a theoretical model is developed herein, which leads to the modeling of a double‐containment structural design of a water pool. The model calculates various parameters (ie, temperature, pressure, phasic velocities, and condensable gases) and is used to develop a simulation program for use in a computational assessment. Moreover, two best‐estimate thermal hydraulic engineering programs, namely THEATRe and RELAP5, are used to simulate the original SMART with the double‐containment water pool structure. The differences in the modeling strategies of the two simulation techniques are discussed to accurately measure various technical parameters. Accordingly, a nodalization diagram of the reactor and the pool‐type concept are developed and simulated. The results obtained from the computational models yield the error of >2%, depicting accuracy. A small‐break loss of coolant accident is also simulated to mitigate the transient conditions. The result verifies the adoptability of this reactor concept in any other small modular reactor.

Techno-Economic Assessment of Fuel Cycle Facility of System Integrated Modular Advanced Reactor (SMART)

“…Korean Atomic Energy Institute (KAIST) developed a dual-purpose nuclear reactor system called SMART (System integrated modular advanced reactor) in 1997 with an electricity production of 100 Mwe and a water production that corresponds to 40,000 m 3 /day [21]. The reactor consists of many active and safety features to achieve higher safety and reduce construction time.…”

Economics of reusing spent nuclear fuel by Teplator for district heating applications

“…23 The concept of a SMR has seen a growing interest worldwide due to its advantages such as low capital cost, flexible power generation for a wide range of applications, and modularity which leads to shorter construction time. 24 There are at least 70 SMR designs under development for different applications, mainly for electricity or cogeneration applications, of a wide range of technologies and capacities from 450 MW e (fast neutron Westinghouse LFR) to 3 MW e (high-temperature gas-cooled reactor, RDE). Teplator, DHR400, HAPPY200, RUTA 70, are the heat-only technologies under development.…”

Determining the appropriate location for renewable hydrogen development using multi‐criteria decision‐making approaches

“…The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is a country with rapidly growing energy demand because of population growth and economic and industrial development. 20 At present, electricity generated in KSA mainly comes from the burning of diesel and natural gas. 21 The country's overreliance on fossil fuels for energy generation has been criticized given how it contributes to global warming and local and global environmental damage.…”