Sargent & Lundy nuclear leaders discussed new small modular reactor (SMR) designs and potential ASME Code revisions needed to support this attractive nuclear generation technology at the ASME Small Modular Reactors Symposium April 15-17, 2014, in Washington, D.C. The authors reviewed SMR designs being pursued for sites in the United States as well as non-U.S. designs. The discussion explored key design and material characteristics of SMRs that are most likely to need the expansion and refinement of current ASME Code requirements. Key topics included:

• Testing requirements and frequencies due to longer intervals between refueling
• Inspection requirements for SMR inaccessible plant components and materials
• Development and code acceptance of new materials used to accommodate higher design temperatures resulting from passive design shutdown considerations

Authors:
Dennis Demoss, Stefan J. Janusz, Richard P. Niemer - Sargent & Lundy