Los reactores modulares pequeños son sistemas de energía de fisión nuclear con una capacidad de producción eléctrica generalmente inferior a 300 MWe por unidad, diseñados desde el principio para la fabricación en fábrica de módulos estandarizados, el transporte por carretera o ferrocarril hasta el emplazamiento y plazos de construcción acelerados; una inversión estructural deliberada de las centrales nucleares a medida de escala de gigavatios, cuyos sobrecostes de capital y plazos de construcción de décadas de duración paralizaron de hecho el despliegue de nuevas centrales nucleares en los mercados occidentales después de la década de 1980.
La física de los reactores y la química de los refrigerantes varían sustancialmente en toda la gama de diseños: reactores avanzados de agua ligera que extienden la tecnología probada de agua a presión a escala reducida, reactores de sales fundidas que disuelven el combustible directamente en refrigerante de fluoruro o cloruro, reactores de alta temperatura refrigerados por gas que utilizan helio y partículas de combustible TRISO, diseños de espectro rápido refrigerados por sodio y por plomo, y microrreactores térmicos destinados a emplazamientos industriales o militares remotos con una potencia inferior a 10 MWe.
Las publicaciones y patentes indexadas a continuación abordan la física de los reactores, la termohidráulica, la seguridad pasiva validación, diseño de conjunto de combustible, calificación de materiales bajo irradiación, fábrica fabricación procesos, metodología de concesión de licencias y evaluaciones tecnoeconómicas en todo este espectro de diseño.
Esta es nuestra última selección de publicaciones y patentes mundiales en inglés sobre reactores modulares pequeños (SMR), entre muchas revistas científicas en línea, clasificadas y centradas en reactor modular pequeño, SMR, microrreactor nuclear, reactor avanzado de agua ligera, sales fundidas, reactor de alta temperatura refrigerado por gas, reactor rápido refrigerado por plomo, reactor rápido refrigerado por sodio, sistema de seguridad pasiva SMR, cogeneración SMR, calefacción urbana SMR, combustible HALEU SMR, diseño de contención SMR y desmantelamiento SMR.
Control rod assembly with enhanced control rod worth using 28 neutron absorber rods
Patent published on the 2026-05-27 in EP under Ref EP4749658 by KEPCO NUCLEAR FUEL CO LTD [KR] (Choi Dae Woon [kr], Ha Dong Geun [kr], Lee Shin Ho [kr], Kim Seong Soo [kr], Ryu Joo Young [kr], Kim Kyounghong [kr], Lee Hak In [kr], Chun Joo Hong [kr], Kim Ba Leum [kr], Yoon Ju Yeob [kr], Cho Beom Hee [kr], Bae Gong Hoon [kr])
Abstract: [0001] Proposed is a control rod assembly with enhanced control rod worth suitable for a small modular reactor (SMR), wherein the control rod assembly includes a plurality of spider vanes provided radially on a plane perpendicular to a spider body and configured to support control rods, wherein the spider vanes includes four first spider vanes (Ixx and Iyy) arranged orthogonally to each other in principal-axis directions, four second spider vanes (Ixy) arranged in on-diagonal directions with res[...]
Our summary: The proposed control rod assembly enhances control rod worth for small modular reactors. It features a configuration of spider vanes supporting 28 neutron absorber rods. The arrangement includes first, second, and third spider vanes positioned in orthogonal and diagonal orientations.
control rod assembly, neutron absorber rods, small modular reactor, spider vanes
Patent
Control rod assembly with enhanced control rod worth
Patent published on the 2026-05-27 in EP under Ref EP4749657 by KEPCO NUCLEAR FUEL CO LTD [KR] (Choi Dae Woon [kr], Ha Dong Geun [kr], Lee Shin Ho [kr], Kim Seong Soo [kr], Ryu Joo Young [kr], Kim Kyounghong [kr], Lee Hak In [kr], Chun Joo Hong [kr], Kim Ba Leum [kr], Yoon Ju Yeob [kr], Song Han Seung [kr], Cho Beom Hee [kr], Yu Ho Sung [kr], Bae Go)
Abstract: [0001] Proposed is a control rod assembly with enhanced control rod worth suitable for a small modular reactor (SMR). The control rod assembly with enhanced control rod worth includes a plurality of spider vanes provided radially on a plane perpendicular to a spider body to support control rods, wherein the control rods consist of 28 shutdown group neutron absorbers in total made of BC comprising B-10 enriched to at least 70%.[...]
Our summary: The proposed control rod assembly is designed for small modular reactors. It features enhanced control rod worth through a configuration of spider vanes. The assembly includes 28 neutron absorbers made of B-10 enriched to at least 70%.
control rod assembly, enhanced control rod worth, small modular reactor, neutron absorbers
Patent
Method for steel production and corresponding installation network
Patent published on the 2026-05-20 in UA under Ref UA130827 by VERESHCHAK VIKTOR IVANOVYCH [UA] (Vereshchak Viktor Ivanovych [ua], Ivashchenko Valerii Petrovych [ua], Petrenko Vitalii Oleksandrovych [ua], Chaika Oleksii Leonidovych [ua], Loboda Petro Ivanovych [ua], Hryshchenko Serhii Heorhiiovych [ua], Vereshchak Denys Viktorovych [ua])
Abstract: Invention relates to ferrous metallurgy, specifically to production of steel from iron ore using iron oxide reduction method via network of installations. Method is proposed for producing steel from iron ore raw materials by reducing iron oxide, in which furnace with shaft chamber for preliminary reduction (A), horizontal chamber for final reduction (B), and liquid metal accumulation chamber (C) are used, all connected by transition channels. Pellets made from raw materials that do not contain c[...]
Our summary: The invention describes a method for steel production using iron oxide reduction with a network of installations. It employs a furnace system with multiple chambers and utilizes low-temperature plasma for heating and reduction. The method aims to lower costs and reduce CO2 emissions while improving environmental conditions.
ferrous metallurgy, steel production, iron oxide reduction, plasma torches
Patent
Fuelling a molten salt reactor
Patent published on the 2026-05-20 in EP under Ref EP4745993 by SALTFOSS ENERGY APS [DK] (Yoon Juhyeon [dk])
Abstract: [0001] The present invention relates to a fuel salt feeding apparatus for a molten salt reactor (MSR), comprising: a fuel container for holding fuel salt units; a feeding pipe connected to the fuel container for transferring fuel salt units from the fuel container to a molten salt container; a valve structure on the feeding pipe, said valve structure comprising: a bucket member (4, 14) having a fuel salt unit compartment for containing one or more fuel salt units, and a bucket member position de[...]
Our summary: The invention describes a fuel salt feeding apparatus for a molten salt reactor. It includes a fuel container, a feeding pipe, and a valve structure with a bucket member and position detectors. The system is designed to transfer fuel salt units efficiently to the molten salt container.
fuel salt, molten salt reactor, feeding apparatus, valve structure
Patent
A process for the preparation of a carbon product
Patent published on the 2026-04-22 in EP under Ref EP4729477 by YERRAWA B V [NL] (O'connor Paul [nl], Daamen Sjoerd [es], Babic Igor [nl])
Abstract: [0001] The invention relates generally to a process for the preparation of a carbon product having a high degree of graphitization in a high yield, comprising the steps of a) contacting a carbon containing starting material, preferably a carbohydrate or hydrocarbon, with a molten salt, b) Carbonising the carbon containing starting material to form a carbon product in mixture with the molten salt at temperatures between 100 and 300°C in an oven or by heating with microwaves, in an atmosphere fre[...]
Our summary: The process involves carbonizing a carbon-containing material with molten salt to achieve high graphitization. It operates at temperatures between 100 and 300°C in an oxygen-free atmosphere. The resulting carbon product has a yield of at least 40 wt% and is suitable for applications in carbon fibers and electronics.
carbonization, graphitization, molten salt, carbon product
Patent
Study on Flow Field Excitation and Rotor Shaft Response of the High-Temperature Molten Salt Circulating Primary Pump
Published on 2026-01-31 by Xiongfa Gao, Xinyi Zhang, Weidong Shi, Daohong Wang, Ruijie Zhao, Zhiyu Zhu @MDPI
Abstract: This study examines the impact of fluid excitation forces on the dynamic response of high-temperature molten salt circulating primary pump rotor systems. Unsteady simulations were conducted in ANSYS CFX to characterize pressure pulsation and radial forces across all impeller stages. Critical speeds and vibration modes were subsequently analyzed using SAMCEF to evaluate transient responses under varying flow rates. Key findings: Numerical performance predictions align with experimental data withi[...]
Our summary: This study analyzes the impact of fluid excitation on the dynamic response of high-temperature molten salt pump rotors. Unsteady simulations in ANSYS CFX characterize pressure pulsations and radial forces, while critical speeds and vibration modes are evaluated using SAMCEF. Key findings indicate that numerical predictions align closely with experimental data, revealing significant variations in radial forces across impeller stages.
Fluid Excitation, Rotor Dynamics, Pressure Pulsation, ANSYS CFX
Publication
Multicriteria Assessment for Technological Readiness
Published on 2026-01-29 by Jorge Omar Gil Posada, Juan Carlos Quintero-Daz, Andrs A. Amell @MDPI
Abstract: In addressing the increasing global energy demand, this manuscript compares four distinct processes for hydrogen production from natural gas (NG): steam methane reforming (SMR), dry methane reforming (DMR), autothermal reforming (ATR), and catalytic methane decomposition (CMD). The comparison emphasizes their respective efficiencies and environmental impacts. Simulations were conducted using the Peng–Robinson model, implemented in the DWSIM 8.8.3 software package, considering comme[...]
Our summary: This manuscript compares four hydrogen production processes from natural gas: SMR, DMR, ATR, and CMD. It evaluates their efficiencies and environmental impacts using the TOPSIS method, identifying ATR as the best option. The study highlights Colombia s potential in the hydrogen economy based on its natural resources.
Hydrogen production, Multicriteria assessment, Environmental impact, TOPSIS method
Publication
Modeling of the Passive State of Construction Materials in Small Modular Reactor Primary Chemistry—Effect of Dissolved Zn
Published on 2026-01-23 by Martin Bojinov, Iva Betova, Vasil Karastoyanov @MDPI
Abstract: The Mixed-Conduction Model for oxide films is used to quantitatively interpret in situ electrochemical and ex situ surface analytical results on the corrosion of AISI 316L (an internal reactor material) and Alloy 690 (a steam generator tube material) in small modular reactor primary coolant with the addition of soluble Zn. The model parameters of alloy oxidation and corrosion release are estimated with the time of exposure up to 168 h and anodic polarization potential (up to −0.25 [...]
Our summary: The study uses a Mixed-Conduction Model to analyze the corrosion of AISI 316L and Alloy 690 in small modular reactor coolant with dissolved Zn. It estimates model parameters through experimental impedance spectra and GDOES data. Conclusions are drawn on Zn s impact on film growth and cation release, with future research directions suggested.
Corrosion, Alloy, Electrochemical, Modeling
Publication
