About SMR
Small Modular Reactors
Small modular reactors (SMRs) are nuclear fission reactors that are smaller than conventional reactors. The term “small” in the context of SMRs refers to design power output.
Small modular reactors have a power output of less than 300 MWe. The term “modular” in the context of SMRs refers to its scalability and to the ability to fabricate major components of the nuclear steam supply system (NSSS) in a factory environment and then transported them to the site.
Key characteristics:
Modularity
Improved safety
Easier construction
See also: www.nuclear-power.com
X-energy – Xe-100
The Xe-100 reactor is a small modular nuclear reactor design developed by X-energy, a U.S.-based nuclear energy company. It is an advanced high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) that uses helium gas as a coolant, and graphite as a moderator. The Xe-100 reactor is designed to produce up to 75 MW of electricity and is intended to be used for both electricity generation and other energy applications, such as process heat for industrial applications, hydrogen production, and desalination.
Some of the characteristics of the Xe-100 reactor include:
- Fuel: The Xe-100 reactor uses Tristructural Isotropic (TRISO) fuel, which is a small spherical fuel particle that consists of a fuel kernel, multiple layers of protective coatings, and a graphite matrix. The TRISO fuel is designed to be very robust and can withstand high temperatures, making it suitable for use in high-temperature gas-cooled reactors.
- Safety features: The Xe-100 reactor has several passive safety features, including a graphite moderator that is inherently stable and a passive cooling system that does not require any external power to operate. The reactor is also designed to shut down automatically in the event of an emergency, such as a loss of coolant or a loss of power.
- High efficiency: The Xe-100 reactor is designed to operate at a high thermal efficiency of around 45%, which is significantly higher than most current nuclear reactors. This high efficiency translates to more electricity produced per unit of fuel used.
- Scalable: The Xe-100 reactor has a modular design that allows for flexible and scalable deployment to meet energy demand. The reactor is designed to be built and operated in multiple units, which can be added or removed as needed.
- Future plans: X-energy is currently working to develop and test the Xe-100 reactor design, and the company plans to work with partners to build and demonstrate a prototype Xe-100 reactor in the future. The Xe-100 reactor is expected to provide a reliable and cost-effective source of low-carbon energy to meet the growing demand for electricity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
