ANALYSIS OF SEPCTRUM CHOICES FOR SMALL MODULAR REACTORS-PERFORMANCE AND DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The process of comprehensive study about the small nuclear reactors on developing analysis metrics and its method of evaluation was conducted. General methods of analysis of nuclear reactors and techniques and tools required were discussed. The research primarily followed survey of advanced small reactor concepts and compilation of their design parameters and targeted deployment scenarios, simulations for identified designs, concepts and deployment scenarios, and technology gap matrix. The research mainly focused on producing a small modular reactor (Pebble Bed Modular Reactor) design to analyze the fuel depletion and plutonium and minor actinide accumulation with varying power densities. The reactors running at low power densities were found to have used less fuel during the three years running time set within the simulation code. The plutonium-239 accumulation at the low power densities of 20 was found to be about half compared to the high power density of 125. Low power densities are therefore preferred for the operation of nuclear power plants, especially in locations with difficult accessibility and minimal security for longer operation.