NuScale Small Modular Reactor Design Certification: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 2023

By United States Office Of Federal Register

### Nuclear Regulatory Commission: NuScale Small Modular Reactor Design Certification **Summary**: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has amended its regulations to certify the NuScale standard design for a small modular reactor (SMR). This design certification allows applicants or licensees to construct and operate a NuScale standard design by referencing this rule. NuScale Power, LLC, is the applicant for this certification. The rule outlines the design's key features, regulatory framework, public participation, and technical issues associated with the NuScale design. **Effective Date**: February 21, 2023 ### Key Aspects: 1. **Background**: - **Legislative Requirement**: The certification process is governed by 10 CFR Part 52, "Licenses, Certifications, and Approvals for Nuclear Power Plants," which sets out the process for obtaining standard design certifications. - **Application**: NuScale Power, LLC submitted the design certification application on December 31, 2016, and the NRC has thoroughly reviewed the application. 2. **Design Features**: - **Small Modular Reactor**: NuScale is based on a small light water reactor developed at Oregon State University, consisting of one or more power modules. - **Power Module**: Each module includes a reactor core, pressurizer, and two helical coil steam generators in a common reactor pressure vessel, housed in a cylindrical steel containment. - **Capacity**: Each module has a thermal output of 160 megawatts (MWt) and an electrical output of 50 megawatts (MWe), with a total capacity of 600 MWe for 12 modules. 3. **Regulatory and Policy Issues**: - **Control Room Staffing**: NuScale proposed staffing requirements that differ from existing regulations, leading to an exemption request. The NRC approved the alternative staffing proposal. - **Containment Leakage Testing**: NuScale requested an exemption from the General Design Criterion (GDC) 52, related to containment leakage rate testing, which the NRC granted based on alternative testing measures. - **Incorporation by Reference**: The rule incorporates specific technical reports and standards by reference, ensuring they are accessible to interested parties. 4. **Technical Issues**: - **Containment Safety**: NuScale's design includes unique safety features such as natural circulation cooling and the absence of safety-related power systems. - **Emergency Core Cooling System**: The design relies on passive safety systems, with specific valves designed to prevent premature opening and maintain core cooling. - **Boron Redistribution**: The NRC reviewed NuScale's approach to managing boron during long-term cooling scenarios to ensure the reactor remains subcritical. 5. **Public Participation**: - **Comments and Responses**: The proposed rule was open for public comment, and the NRC extended the comment period to ensure comprehensive feedback. The final rule incorporates adjustments based on these comments. ### Conclusion: The NRC's certification

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0D7HJBCNG
• ISBN13: 9798328714839
• Release Date: June 2024
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 24 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.0" x 0.1" x 8.5"