SMR design performance tests at SIET

A full-scale, first-of-a-kind helical coil steam generator (HCSG) for use in NuScale Power's small modular reactor (SMR) design is set to undergo performance tests at SIET.

The component designed by Nuscale, was constructed by selected qualified suppliers in a fabrication shop in Italy under the overall SIET oversight. It has since been transported by truck to SIET SpA's facilities in Piacenza, Italy, where it has been installed using a crane.

Testing of the full-length HCSG over the next several months will be conducted at prototypic fluid temperatures, pressures and flow rates to measure the steam generator's thermal performance. The data gained from these tests will be used to validate computer codes and help optimize the performance of steam turbines for use with a NuScale reactor.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are nuclear power plants that smaller in size (300 MWe or less) than current generation base load plants (1,000 MWe or higher). These smaller, compact designs are factory-fabricated reactors that can be transported by truck or rail to a nuclear power site.