The Growth of Nuclear Management Systems Starting with an Micro-Reactor Emulator
School Name
South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Engineering
Presentation Type
Mentored
Abstract
As the growth of nuclear energy utilization increases in South Carolina so has the consideration of proper nuclear systems such as this Micro-Reactor Emulator Thermal Loop System. An SMR (Small Modular Reactor) is a modern method of nuclear design systems and a cautious manner of efficiently controlling the energy released during nuclear fission. During this project, we wanted to see our limitations and basis for how we would expand and best incorporate our current system. We started by making a CAD model of the SMR and thinking of ways to increase the amount of data we can collect from the system. For example, the next step in our expansion was to add pipe extensions horizontally so we can add other sensors besides the thermocouples. The extensions would allow for more space to adapt the current sensors we possess and using LabVIEW we could transfer the data to interpret it appropriately. As of now, I am working even after research to make other types of models using current and future data. In the end, our project is still continuing with the graduate student and a highschooler. As well as, I am still collecting and categorizing the data so we can see the differences between pressures and other factors that we hadn’t applied. Given the time spent at USC, this project was successful in the sense we were able to restart it up and start the digital platform for future students who would continue this project after myself.
Recommended Citation
Morales, Miriam, "The Growth of Nuclear Management Systems Starting with an Micro-Reactor Emulator" (2026). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 43.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2026/all/43
Location
Furman Hall 201
Start Date
3-28-2026 9:30 AM
Presentation Format
Oral Only
Group Project
No
The Growth of Nuclear Management Systems Starting with an Micro-Reactor Emulator
Furman Hall 201
As the growth of nuclear energy utilization increases in South Carolina so has the consideration of proper nuclear systems such as this Micro-Reactor Emulator Thermal Loop System. An SMR (Small Modular Reactor) is a modern method of nuclear design systems and a cautious manner of efficiently controlling the energy released during nuclear fission. During this project, we wanted to see our limitations and basis for how we would expand and best incorporate our current system. We started by making a CAD model of the SMR and thinking of ways to increase the amount of data we can collect from the system. For example, the next step in our expansion was to add pipe extensions horizontally so we can add other sensors besides the thermocouples. The extensions would allow for more space to adapt the current sensors we possess and using LabVIEW we could transfer the data to interpret it appropriately. As of now, I am working even after research to make other types of models using current and future data. In the end, our project is still continuing with the graduate student and a highschooler. As well as, I am still collecting and categorizing the data so we can see the differences between pressures and other factors that we hadn’t applied. Given the time spent at USC, this project was successful in the sense we were able to restart it up and start the digital platform for future students who would continue this project after myself.
