Extra Small Modular Reactors System Architecture and Design Issues

Dr. William A. Good

william.a.good@comcast.net

303-906-1900

Presented at EnergyTech 2015

Cleveland, OH 44115

Ted Talks

• Taylor Wilson

• My radical plan for small nuclear fission reactors

• TED2013 · 12:53

• Filmed Feb 2013

• https://www.ted.com/talks/taylor_wilson_my_radical_plan_for_small_nuclear_fission_reactors?language=en

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Solar System of Systems

• Abstract

• Problem Statement

• Solution Space

• Initial Approach

• Initial Results

• Next Steps

• Backup Material

3

Abstract

• The solar system is a system of systems that includes both energy and transport (motion). Each moon and planet has its own energy and transport systems that may or may not include nuclear power sources. Assuming that energy and transport systems are suboptimal without nuclear power being embedded throughout the system architecture, this paper examines the potential benefits of extra-small nuclear power sources within Earth-based energy and transport systems for the production of benefits to both developed and developing nations. Of specific interest are: – the production of water for arid and semi-arid regions that are

subject to occasional drought; and – more distributed creation of consistent electrical power in order

to increase the reliability and resilience of energy production.

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Solar System of Systems

• Abstract

• Problem Statement

• Solution Space

• Initial Approach

• Initial Results

• Next Steps

• Backup Material

5

xSMR Problem Statement

• SMR = Small Modular Reactor < 300Mwe – xSMR = Extra-Small Manufactured Reactor < 1MWe

• Congress is frustrated by a lack of progress – Congressman Lamar Smith: “Regulatory changes needed”

• Nuclear options needed for true sustainability – http://pandoraspromise.com/ and http://efn-usa.org/

• GWEN = Global Water Energy Nexus – Both water and energy require transport to users

– The combined optimization is a very wicked problem

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Wicked Problem Statement

• Modeling Social Messes with Morphological Analysis – http://www.swemorph.com/wp.html

• Strategy as a Wicked Problem – https://hbr.org/2008/05/strategy-as-a-wicked-problem

• Wicked Problems in Design Thinking – http://web.mit.edu/jrankin/www/engin_as_lib_art/Design_thinking.pdf

• Horst Wittel’s Theory of Wicked Problems – https://www.wickedproblems.com/1_wicked_problems.php

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Solar System of Systems

• Abstract

• Problem Statement

• Solution Space

• Approach

• Results

• Next Steps

• Backup Material

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Solution Space References

• Entire EnergyTech 2015 presentation archive

– http://www.energytech2015.com/submissions/

• NRC publications http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/

• IAEA publications http://www-pub.iaea.org/mtcd/publications/tecdocs.asp

• JSTOR archives http://www.jstor.org/

• NASA publications http://www.sti.nasa.gov/

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Solution Space Applications

• Traditional commercial & residential energy uses

• Critical infrastructure (e.g., hospital, fire, police) – Remote and rural activities (e.g., mines, farms)

– Small communities and small businesses

• Transportation innovations – Electric car service stations @ http://www.afdc.

energy.gov/fuels/electricity_locations.html

– Nuclear UAVs @ http://www.inderscienceonline.com /doi/abs/10.1504/IJNGEE.2014.065930

• Desalination

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Solar System of Systems

• Abstract

• Problem Statement

• Solution Space

• Approach

• Results

• Next Steps

• Backup Material

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xSMR System Architecture

• Nuclear energy shift from IBM to Apple model – Centralized (mainframe) to distributed (PC)

– Ten year minimum refueling cycle required

– No significant nuclear waste issues

– Passive safety design features

– Control of the entire product life cycle including fuel cycle

• Substantially enhanced radiation detection available across all transportation modes – Vehicle Base Threat Detection System

– Patent US 8643507 B2

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xSMR Design Approach

• Differentiate between SMR and xSMR – SMR M = Modular

– xSMR M = Manufactured (Additively)

• Small drone has been manufactured additively – http://www19.iadb.org/intal/icom/en/notas/39-31/

– http://www.forbes.com/sites/gregorymcneal/2015/03/30/in-this-weeks-drone-roundup-the-feds-cant-manage-drones-while-european-regs-get-permissive/

• 1MWe target volume 1m3 and mass 1,000kgs – Precise component replication and assembly processes

– http://www.wired.com/2013/07/tesla-plant-video/

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xSMR Licensing

• Shift from current NRC to FAA approach

– Certify safety and functioning of a specific model

– Manufacturer receives unrestricted authorization

– Airports are certified independently of aircraft

• Congressional mandate to promote xSMR

– US needs a manufacturing renaissance

– Tight control of intellectual property required

– Material properties are proprietary and critical

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xSMR Objectives

• Achieve irreversible US energy independence

• Achieve definitive US energy cost advantage

• Achieve persistent & resilient electrical power

– Military and all other valuable energy uses

• Protect all other nuclear initiatives

– Defend against all conceivable WMD threats including terrorism and high altitude EMP

– Retain undiminished retaliatory capabilities

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xSMR Augmentation

• TEMPEST protection and Faraday cages – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage

– http://www.faradaycages.com/server-rooms

– http://hollandshielding.com/109-mu_copper_faraday_cages

– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmOikI9ganY

• TRACKSAT GPS upgrade for remote operations – Designed in 2015 as capstone project at UCCS

– Master of Engineering in Space Operations

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Solar System of Systems

• Abstract

• Problem Statement

• Solution Space

• Approach

• Results

• Next Steps

• Backup Material

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xSMR Analysis Results

• Commercialize SMR experimental reactors that are fundamentally different from the current fleet and may or may not use thorium as a fuel instead of uranium. – Molten Salt Reactors

• http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Current-and-Future-Generation/Molten-Salt-Reactors/

– High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactors • http://web.mit.edu/pebble-bed/Presentation/HTGR.pdf

– Supercritical CO2 Direct Cycle Gas Fast Reactors • http://prod.sandia.gov/techlib/access-control.cgi/2011/112525.pdf

– Compact Fusion Reactors • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_beta_fusion_reactor

– Aneutronic Fusion Reactors • http://muonray.blogspot.com/2014/12/aneutronic-nuclear-fusion-truly-clean.html

– Metal Oxygen Fusion Reactors with X-Ray Flourescence Cascade Shielding • https://www.quora.com/How-can-we-create-heavy-metals-in-a-fusion-reactor-

assuming-that-we-can-sustain-a-fusion-reaction

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xSMR Results

• Study current Generation IV reactor status and progress along a 2030 deployment timeline – http://www.ne.anl.gov/activ/pdfs/GenIV.pdf

– http://www.ne.anl.gov/research/genIV/

• Use Gen IV cost estimating guidance for xSMR – https://www.gen-4.org/gif/upload/docs/

application/pdf/2013-09/emwg_guidelines.pdf

• Additive manufacturing partners are needed for alternative design prototype comparisons

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xSMR Initial Conclusions

• xSMR approach is as revolutionary for nuclear energy as Apple has been for computing – http://fortune.com/2015/08/05/microsoft-inches-past-

ibm-in-revenue/

• The market potential for energy innovation that unleashes the laws of physics is huge – http://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/A-Closer-Look-At-

The-Worlds-5-Biggest-Oil-Companies.html

– http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/

• xSMR is the most environmentally sustainable option – http://efn-usa.org/

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Solar System of Systems

• Abstract

• Problem Statement

• Solution Space

• Approach

• Results

• Next Steps

• Backup Material

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xSMR Next Steps

• Follow the INCOSE Systems Engineering (SE) Handbook – http://www.incose.org/ProductsPublications/sehandbook

• Use the Guide to the Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge – http://www.incose.org/ProductsPublications/bkcase

• Reference the Graduate Reference Curriculum for SE – Identify a Consortium of Universities that are receptive to xSMR

– http://www.energy.gov/ne/nuclear-reactor-technologies/nuclear-energy-university-program

• Keep in mind that Apple innovated independently – No specified military or government requirements

– No dependence upon government funded university research

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xSMR Next Steps

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xSMR Next Steps

• Engage the INCOSE Transformational SE Caucus – http://www.incose.org/ChaptersGroups/Chapters/ChapterSites/colora

do-front-range/chapter-home/2015/03/21/default-calendar/spring-2015-tutorial---introduction-to-transformational-systems-engineering

• Submit unsolicted proposal to DoE regarding manufacturing – http://www.energy.gov/ne/nuclear-energy-enabling-

technologies/advanced-methods-manufacturing

• Arrange a significant alumni donation so that nuclear matches petroleum engineering at the Colorado School of Mines – http://inside.mines.edu/NSE-home

– http://case.mines.edu/CASE-welcomes-five-new-faculty-in-Fall-2015-College-of-Applied-Science-and-Engineering

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xSMR Next Steps

• Recruit nuclear qualified CSEP and ESEP staff – http://www.incose.org/certification/certforms

– http://www.thecamerongroupinc.com/team.html

• Test/Certify/Deploy Vehicle Based Screening

– Bring all nuclear materials under better control

– http://www.google.com/patents/US8643507

– http://www.thecamerongroupinc.com/vehicle_based_threat_detection_wmd.html

• Lobby Congress for more effective regulation

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xSMR Next Steps

• Pursue profitable solutions to the Global Water Energy Nexus (GWEN) challenge – http://inside.mines.edu/Transformational-Systems-

Engineering-Workshop-The-Application-of-Transformational-Thinking-to-the-Global-Energy-Water-Nexus-GWEN-

– http://www.incose.org/ChaptersGroups/Chapters/ChapterSites/colorado-front-range/chapter-home/2015/09/25/default-calendar/workshop-the-application-of-transformational-thinking-to-the-global-water-energy-nexus-%28gwen%29

– http://climatecolab.org/plans/-/plans/contestId/1302001/planId/1323515

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xSMR System Architecture and Design Issues

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Questions?

Solar System of Systems

• Abstract

• Problem Statement

• Solution Space

• Approach

• Results

• Next Steps

• Backup Material

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xSMR Backup Material

• Walker, J. Samuel and Thomas R. Wellock, “A Short History of Nuclear Regulation, 1946-2009, US NRC, October 2010.

– http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/brochures/br0175/

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xSMR Backup Material

• Krell, “Modular Nuclear Reactors: Different Packaging, Same Problems?” in Roundtree 7, 12 November 2012.

– http://www.roundtree7.com/2012/11/modular-nuclear-reactors-different-packaging-same-problems/

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xSMR Backup Material

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xSMR Backup Material

• Krell, “Modular Nuclear Reactors: Different Packaging, Same Problems?” in Roundtree 7, 12 November 2012.

– http://www.roundtree7.com/2012/11/modular-nuclear-reactors-different-packaging-same-problems/

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