Development of Small Modular Reactor iPWR Dynamics Simulator

Abstract

Abstract In the energy transition era, nuclear power serves as a significant source of electricity with low emissions, contributing to approximately 10% of the world’s total electricity production. The advanced and distinct features of iPWR-type SMR in the field of nuclear power generation contribute to a greater safety margin. This opens up possibilities for extending the utilization of secure, environmentally friendly, and dependable nuclear energy across various energy sectors. Moreover, the public need to understand the technical performance of the iPWR. To improve understanding of iPWR’s technical performance, a simulator is developed. The simulator is developed to provide a comprehensive study of nuclear reactor transient behavior, to serve as an educational tool for students, and to demonstrate the safety features during accident scenarios. This article introduces a simulator that combines modules of neutronics, reactor thermal-hydraulics, and the NSSS. The simulator uses the design parameters of iPWR with a power capacity of 160 MWt that relies on natural convection. The proposed simulator was developed using LabVIEW software to perform the reactor dynamics calculations. Furthermore, hardware devices for controlling the simulator can be integrated to simulate the control room of an NPP. The calculation was based on the standard lumped parameter point kinetics and thermal-hydraulic equations. To simplify the process and reduce computational cost, several assumptions are incorporated into the equations, including one-group thermal neutron and constant gain thermal power. The simulator development yields preliminary data for reactor calculations, the graphical user interface (GUI) of the simulator, and the Virtual Instruments (VIs) comprising the reactor model. The reactor model comprises multiple components, each represented as a subVI within the LabVIEW environment. This simulator serves as an effective educational and dissemination tool for increasing public acceptance of NPP by providing insights into the behavior of the reactor and facilitating a better understanding of its operation, safety features, and potential benefits.