Low-carbon or even carbon-free industrial power generation is on the rise — about 40% of global energy production in 2024 came from low-carbon, renewable sources. This move to low-carbon energy sources is in part a response to the massive increase in the number of data centers and the energy required to run these centers. It’s projected that power demand from data centers will increase by 50% by the end of 2027.
One of these carbon-free methods of industrial energy production is small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), which use nuclear fission to produce heat and steam that drive turbines to create electricity.
The small, controlled nuclear reaction used in SMRs makes it easy to standardize and modularize the technology necessary to produce energy for a range of industrial applications. Plus, the modular nature of these reactors means they can be shipped and assembled on-site in applications where a larger carbon-free energy production method is simply not viable.
The modular, highly efficient design of SMRs requires versatile, flexible industrial pumps and compressors that prioritize reliability and efficiency. This guide for choosing the right industrial pumps for SMRs will help you specify the ideal solutions for your industrial power generation needs.
The word nuclear is bound to make some in the industrial space a little uneasy, so let’s take a quick look at the different stages of small modular nuclear reactor power generation. While there can be variances in how SMRs are configured, the process of industrial power generation using this technology includes the following stages.
After electricity is generated, excess steam is often condensed back into water and reused for additional or related industrial processes. This helps maximize energy efficiency.
There are a number of benefits of SMR power generation, the biggest of which is the sheer volume of electricity SMRs can produce. SMRs have a power generation capacity of about 300 MW(e) per unit, which is about one-third the capacity of traditional nuclear reactors.
The small, modular nature of these reactors means they can be integrated into a wide range of industrial worksites, and they’re also highly customizable, making them ideal for challenging deployments. SMRs can also be prefabricated for assembly on-site to accelerate speed to market.
SMR power generation requires consistent, high-pressure fluid transfer to circulate coolant, water, and other liquids to and from the reactor in order to create efficient, safe power generation. This type of intense fluid handling with corrosive or harsh liquids demands durable, reliable industrial pumps that prioritize efficiency and productivity.
Safety is one of the biggest concerns in relying on SMRs for power generation, in part because of the nuclear component and in part because of the hazardous fluids used in cooling the reactor. Sealless magnetic drive pumps eliminate the potential for leaks or spills, and their secondary containment system provides increased protection against corrosive materials damaging the internal components of pump infrastructure.
Plus, the use of high-pressure castings and the additional heat treating of the pump’s components after welding increases the strength and reliability of sealless magnetic drive pumps to contain corrosive materials even with prolonged, continuous use. The sealless design also helps maximize uptime through simplified maintenance and troubleshooting.
Multi-stage centrifugal pumps leverage a simple design concept based on a rotating impeller that imparts kinetic energy to the fluid via a static pump casing that collects the fluid, slows it down, and converts it into pressure. The resulting flow is steady and continuous because the impeller spins at a constant rotational speed across 360 degrees in the pump casing. This design means fluid movement and volumes can be controlled based on the needs of the application, and this simplified construction with few moving parts lends itself to a longer service life with little or no degradation over time.
This high level of efficiency and consistency makes multi-stage centrifugal pumps ideal for the continuous nature of steam cycling required for SMR power generation.
There are several key factors to account for when choosing the right industrial pumps for each stage of SMR power generation. Some of these elements include compatibility with space restrictions, performance in environments with high levels of heat and pressure, and the ability to support remote monitoring for a more proactive, predictive maintenance program.
We offer a variety of Sundyne pumps that are ideal for each stage of SMR power generation, from coolant circulation to cold water return and spent fuel cooling. For example, Sundyne’s Sunflo industrial pumps can handle a variety of fluids with a maximum suction pressure of up to 350 psi and a temperature range of -50 to 300°F. Space-saving engineering makes Sundyne’s Sunflo pumps ideal for the early stages and late stages of SMR power generation, particularly those that involve high-pressure water applications.
For the stages of SMR power generation that require high-heat, low-flow functionality for prolonged periods of time, Sundyne’s LMV multi-stage integrally geared pumps provide economical, reliable operation through various combinations of impeller, diffuser, and inducer geometry. Available in multiple configurations, Sundyne’s LMV pumps are engineered for superior efficiency in the feedwater or steam generation stage, helping plant engineers optimize resources and productivity.
From a compressor perspective, Sundyne’s LMC and BMC are manufactured for NACE compliance, making them the perfect choice for the coolant circulation stage. Designed to meet Best Efficiency Point (BEP) for maximum efficiency, Sundyne’s LMC and BMC pumps can run continuously for up to five years without updates or overhauls. This optimizes the process of using gas to power turbines in service of efficient energy production.
Our 70+ year relationship with Sundyne makes IPEC uniquely positioned to help plant engineers design the right SMR power generation infrastructure for their needs. We can partner with you to create custom-engineered solutions that are tailored to meet your specific challenges and achieve your individual goals. Plus, our team of maintenance and support technicians is available 24/7 to keep you running, no matter what the job throws at you.
Contact us to find the right industrial pumps and compressors for your SMR power needs.