The construction of Small Modular Reactors (SMR) has taken a qualitative leap forward thanks to the British company Sheffield Forgemasterswhich has succeeded in welding a full-size nuclear reactor vessel in less than 24 hours, a process that would normally take up to 12 months. This technological breakthrough promises to have a significant impact on the sector.
Modular reactors could transform the nuclear power industry, turning nuclear power plants from large civil engineering projects into mass-manufactured products. Unlike conventional reactors, which are virtually unique, modular reactors have a standardized design, can be mass-produced, installed according to local needs and do not require the costly infrastructure needed for traditional reactors.
Nuclear reactor vessel welded in hours
[post_relacionado]However, reactor construction, regardless of size, faces significant challenges. One of them is the welding of the vessels containing the reactor core, isolating it from the outside environment. Using conventional techniques, this process could extend over a year, but Sheffield Forgemasters has managed to reduce this to less than a day by applying Localized Electron Beam Welding (LEBW), completing four nuclear-thickness welds.
LEBW is a revolutionary method that joins two pieces of metal by a high-energy density fusion process centered on a high-powered electron gun operating in a local vacuum. This process melts and fuses the components together, allowing 95% efficiency, deep penetration and a high depth-to-width ratio.
As a result, Sheffield Forgemasters has managed to complete a three-meter diameter vessel with 200 mm thick walls, claiming to have achieved zero defects and at a lower cost. In addition, the welding machine can handle innovative techniques for starting and finishing welding.
This demonstration, the first in the world, represents a significant milestone for the UK nuclear sector, which has been stagnant for decades, with progress limited to reactors for nuclear submarines, a couple of flagship power plants and nuclear fuel processing. Now, the UK government is contemplating a nuclear renaissance, with plans for new plants, including 15 modular reactors to be built by Rolls-Royce.
“The implication of this technology for the nuclear industry is monumental, potentially eliminating costly welding processes,” said Michael Blackmore, Senior Development Engineer and project leader. “Not only does this reduce the need for solder inspections, as the solder joint replicates the original material, but it could also significantly accelerate the deployment of SMR reactors in the UK and beyond. How disruptive is LEBW’s progress?“
This breakthrough in welding technology for nuclear reactors not only speeds up production and reduces costs, but also opens the door to a new era in the construction of energy infrastructure. By improving the efficiency and safety of these critical processes, it facilitates the adoption of nuclear power as a viable and sustainable solution to meet the world’s growing demand for energy, ushering in a nuclear power revolution.
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Source and photo: newatlas.com