04-05 Mar, 2025
11:00am EST
2001 Sherwood Dr, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
On March 4, 2024 you are invited to join us at the SMR Canada Summit for a breakout session focused on advanced technologies in nuclear development.
About the Event
The SMR Canada Summit focuses on the advancements and innovations in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). This event brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss the critical role of SMRs in achieving global net-zero goals.
Don’t Miss Michael Schmidt’s Presentation
Presentation: Innovation in NuScale’s Refuelling to Aid in Global Deployment of SMRs
When: March 4, 11:10 am – 11:30 am
The global deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) necessitates innovative installation methods for key reactor components and remote maintenance operations, to ensure consistent deployment across different geographies and reduce reliance on the proficiency of skilled trades within those areas. By adopting new techniques, the industry can better manage the challenges associated with international SMR fleet deployment, ensuring more predictable and efficient outcomes and ongoing maintenance to reduce downtime.
The NuScale Module Assembly Equipment Bolting (MAEB) system is instrumental for the disassembly and reassembly of the NuScale Power Module (NPM) fleets during a key operation – reactor refueling. During plant commissioning of the NPM, the system is responsible for the initial installation and tensioning of the reactor’s pressure vessel and containment vessel studs. During operation, it is responsible for the detensioning, removal, installation and tensioning of the reactor’s studs of the reactor pressure vessel and containment vessel of the NPM during refuelling. Comprised of 12 fully automated Manipulator Field Replaceable Unit tools, the MAEB platform will efficiently conduct the assembly tasks, minimize outage time and maximize power production.
However, new first of a kind solutions to aid SMR deployment are not without their own challenges and proof of concept testing is a proven approach in de-risking and validating new solutions before full-scale implementation. As such, ATS designed and built a 1:1 scale proof of concept assembly to verify the MAEB’s critical functionalities. The lessons learned during the tooling design, fabrication and testing phases of MAEB prototype are discussed in this presentation.
Leveraging over 25 years’ experience in the nuclear space with the global leadership in automation, ATS continues to apply their unique knowledge in factory automation to advance Small Modular Reactor technologies. Our recent partnership with NuScale Power exemplifies this commitment and highlights our dedication to evolving alongside the industry by delivering innovative automation solutions.