A review of advanced Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) through a developed PIRT methodology

Nowadays, a very particular type of nuclear reactors has become fascinating not only for most nuclear communities but also for the prominent energy suppliers to fix the global warming effects worldwide. They are Small Modular Reactors called SMRs. Usually, SMRs can are classified according to the seven different categories. They include PWRs (especially iPWRs), BWRs, PHWRs, GCR, LMFBR, MSR, and MMRs. Although many different plans have been proposed worldwide, only a few well-established or successive developing action plans are among many innovative conceptual designs. This paper briefly presents a comparison study reviewing the last advances and challenges. The proposed roadmap is strongly correlated and depends on the technology readiness and documentation, technology availability, safety and reliability, design, and construction feasibility for different countries. A new graded approach Phenomenological Identification Ranking Table (PIRT) has been developed and proposed to choose the most profitable and compatible action plan dependent on the situation. Finally, the best feasible designs are compared and proposed against the lack of First-of-A-Kind (FOAK). Furthermore, different options are proposed for different priorities and preferences based on the available nuclear infrastructures. Studies are very profitable to save money and time and develop a strategic action plan for newcomers and developing countries. On the other hand, some exceptional designs have extraordinary advantages for industrial countries and even more for the future of nuclear energy worldwide. Therefore, the proposed roadmap covers short-term, mid-term, and long-term strategies for developing countries and newcomers in the nuclear reactor industry.

کلیدواژه ها:

SMR ، iPWR ، BWR ، GCR ، LMFR ، MSR ، MMR