Small Modular Reactors - Information memo

With the information available to IRSN, SMRs should be able to meet more demanding safety objectives than high power reactors in terms of radioactive release in normal and accident situations, including severe accidents, and for core melt frequency. About seventy SMR designs are being developed around the world, but the majority of them remain at the stage of a preliminary detailed project, few nuclear operators having expressed their intention to acquire these types of reactor. A smaller quantity of radioactive material, the possible use of a wider choice of design options, the possible simplification of the design to meet the safety requirements in force and the enhancement of inherent safety characteristics are all features that can be used by designers. However, the implementation of innovative systems is an aspect not to be neglected, and the expectations of the safety authorities in terms of demonstration will require the use of experimental platforms. The factory production of all or part of the reactor modules should make it possible to ensure an increased quality of manufacturing, compared to a more traditional method of construction. Nevertheless, the characteristics of the designs will have to be examined in detail in order to be able to position oneself further on the actual level of safety that can be achieved by these types of reactor