Passive Safety
Nuclear reactor safety systems that rely on natural physical processes (gravity, convection, thermal radiation) rather than active components like pumps, valves, or human operators. Many SMR designs feature passive safety that prevents meltdown without any external intervention.
Why It Matters
Passive safety is a key selling point of new reactor designs. It means the reactor self-regulates — if something goes wrong, physics shuts it down automatically, without needing electricity or operator action.
Related Topics
Related Terms
Small Modular Reactor (SMR)
A nuclear reactor with electrical output under 300 MW (vs. 1,000+ MW for conventional reactors), designed for factory fabrication and site assembly. Key designs include NuScale VOYGR, TerraPower Natrium, and X-energy Xe-100.
Nuclear Fission
The process of splitting a heavy atomic nucleus (such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239) into two lighter nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy. This is the reaction that powers all current nuclear power plants.