Design and analysis of KA-130, the marine-based SMR for icebreakers

Designed for icebreakers, the KA-130 integral SMR provides a carbon-free solution for navigating the North Pole Route with nuclear propulsion. As an integral reactor, all primary components are integrated into the reactor pressure vessel, eliminating large-break loss-of-coolant accidents and enhancing reactor safety. The study evaluates its load following capability and demonstrates efficient load changes within two minutes. The safety analysis during small break loss-of-coolant accidents (SBLOCA) incorporates ship movements into the minimum critical heat flux ratio (MCHFR) calculations and includes a sensitivity analysis to identify significant scenarios. The most limiting case was the guillotine break at the safety injection line with low initial pressure, high core exit temperature and bottom-peaked core. The analysis shows that core flooding is maintained, and decay heat removal is successfully performed. Acceptance criteria, aligned with regulatory and KA-130 specific standards, ensure safety during and after SBLOCA, meeting MCHFR and collapsed water level conditions above the core.