[ Power Generation ] existing RPVs to extend their service lifetimes ’. The authors later indicate that RPVs are typically clad with an austenitic stainless steel for enhanced corrosion resistance .
[ Power Generation ] existing RPVs to extend their service lifetimes ’. The authors later indicate that RPVs are typically clad with an austenitic stainless steel for enhanced corrosion resistance .
SMRs and the steel industry Working in an energy-intensive industry , many companies in the steel sector have expressed considerable interest in nuclear power – and especially SMRs . The rationale was neatly explained by Rafat Hirmiz ( currently a metals research engineer at Linde ) in a 2023 article ( 5 ) . Noting the move in the iron and steel industry to decarbonize its processes , he indicates that nuclear technology is well positioned to be a part of the solution . He also identifies SMRs as an enabling technology , with advantages in terms of reliability , flexibility of location , and scalability . ‘… it can be envisioned that SMRs will be built near integrated steel mills , operating independently , and interconnected to the steel mill to provide electricity and steam while also supplying the local grid . SMRs provide reliable and constant power and steam that is difficult to achieve through solar and wind plants without a significant investment in energy storage ’.
For supporting evidence of the potential of SMRs in steel , look no further than a press release earlier this year from Outokumpu . The company announced the successful completion of its feasibility study to build an SMR near the company ’ s largest stainless steel plant in Tornio , Finland , and was seeking external investors . Meanwhile in India , Tata Steel is also said to be considering the deployment of multiple SMRs to power its own steelmaking processes and to promote advances in green steel . Speaking of India , in a communication dated December 2024 the Government
References of India confirmed plans to upgrade the proven standard 220 MW pressurised heavy water reactor . The aim is to reduce the land requirement and facilitate deployment as a captive power plant close to industries such as steel , aluminium , metals , etc . In India , such small reactors are termed Bharat Small Reactors ( BSRs ). In addition , note that the Indian Bhabha Atomic Research Centre ( BARC ) is developing an SMR for the repurposing of retiring coal based power plants and catering to power requirements at remote locations in the country .
1 . https :// www . sciencedirect . com / science / article / pii / S223878542302896X 2 . https :// www . sciencedirect . com / science / article / abs / pii / S0010938X25001313 3 . https :// www . frontiersin . org / journals / nuclear-engineering / articles / 10.3389 / fnuen . 2023.1253974 / full 4 . https :// www . sciencedirect . com / science / article / pii / S0264127524005082 5 . https :// www . hatch . com / About-Us / Publications / Blogs / 2023 / 03 / Powering-tomorrows-steel-millswith-nuclear-energy 6 . https :// www-pub . iaea . org / MTCD / Publications / PDF / p15790-PUB9062 _ web . pdf 7 . https :// aris . iaea . org / publications / smr-book _ 2018 . pdf 8 . https :// world-nuclear . org / information-library / nuclear-fuel-cycle / nuclear-power-reactors / smallnuclear-power-reactors