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Testing the feasibility of multi-modular design in an HTR-PM nuclear plant

Author

Listed:
  • Zhe Dong

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Zuoyi Zhang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Yujie Dong

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Lei Shi

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Xiaojin Huang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Yunlong Zhu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Di Jiang

    (Tsinghua University)

Abstract

Small modular reactors are the nuclear fission reactors with electric power output less than 300 MWe. To apply the enhanced safety of small modular reactors to build large-scale nuclear plants with any desired power ratings, the multi-modular scheme is recommended to be adopted, where multiple reactor modules are utilized to drive the common load equipment for power generation or cogeneration. The feasibility of multi-modular scheme is not verified until several plant-wide tests were carried out recently on the high temperature gas-cooled reactor pebble-bed module (HTR-PM) nuclear plant. The HTR-PM plant consists of two inherently safe nuclear reactors of 200 MWt, adopts the scheme of two reactor modules driving a common steam turbine, and operates commercially since December 6, 2023. In this paper, the responses of key process variables of HTR-PM plant in the tests of power ramping, turbine trip and reactor trip are provided, and the related multi-modular coordinated control method is also proposed. This result manifests the feasibility of multi-modular scheme practically, and shows the promising future of building large-scale nuclear plants with a system of small modular reactors.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhe Dong & Zuoyi Zhang & Yujie Dong & Lei Shi & Xiaojin Huang & Yunlong Zhu & Di Jiang, 2025. "Testing the feasibility of multi-modular design in an HTR-PM nuclear plant," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58194-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58194-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dong, Zhe & Pan, Yifei & Zhang, Zuoyi & Dong, Yujie & Huang, Xiaojin, 2018. "Dynamical modeling and simulation of the six-modular high temperature gas-cooled reactor plant HTR-PM600," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 971-991.
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    3. Max Vanatta & William R. Stewart & Michael T. Craig, 2025. "The role of policy and module manufacturing learning in industrial decarbonization by small modular reactors," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 77-89, January.
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