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SMRs – overview, international developments, safety features and the GRS simulation chain |
Andreas SCHAFFRATH(), Andreas WIELENBERG, Robert KILGER, Armin SEUBERT |
Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit gGmbH, Boltzmannstrasse 14, 85748 Garching near Munich, Germany |
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Abstract The Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS) gGmbH as the main technical support organization for the German Federal Government in nuclear safety has been dealing with small modular reactors (SMRs) for about one decade since SMRs are one interesting option for new builds in most countries worldwide which continue to use nuclear energy for commercial electricity production. Currently four different SMR designs are in operation, four in construction, one is licensed, and further 12 are in a licensing process. In this paper, definitions, history, and current developments of SMRs are presented. Subsequently, selected trends of SMR development such as factory fabrication and transport, compactness and modularity, core design, improved core cooling, exclusion of accidents, features for preventing and limiting the impact of severe accidents, economic viability, competitiveness and licensing are discussed. Modeling gaps of the GRS simulation chain programs with a view to applications in nuclear licensing procedures are identified and a strategy for closing these gaps is presented. Finally, selected work on the extension and improvement of the simulation chain and first generic test analyses are presented.
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Keywords
small modular reactors (SMRs)
history
recent developments
safety aspects
simulation chain of the Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS)
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Corresponding Author(s):
Andreas SCHAFFRATH
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Online First Date: 13 July 2021
Issue Date: 04 January 2022
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