Electric Heaters for Small Nuclear Reactors

Last updated on May 16th, 2023 at 06:49 pm

There’s a big future in small nuclear reactors. Although nuclear power has been an ideal power source for decades, globally, it has been underused. Less than 1 percent of nuclear heat is used in district and process heating. 

Small nuclear reactors, using electric heaters, have the potential to turn this around. They provide effective and efficient heating methods, allowing them to meet the increasing demand for small nuclear reactors for industrial and urban heating.

District heating

Countries with long, cold winters have relied on district heating networks. Advances in small nuclear reactors provide the potential to dramatically expand the district heating markets. They can provide more economic heating with a smaller ecological footprint.

The lack of large centralized heating plants in district heating makes it difficult to reduce and control emissions from traditional energy sources. This makes clean nuclear energy especially appealing for smaller-scale heating.

Industrial process heating

Industrial process heating is an essential factor in most major industries. It can also make up a significant portion of the final cost to produce products. Industrial process heating is in need of an overhaul, with more reliable, efficient, and available energy. Electric power is the ideal solution.

Nuclear power plants are the key solution for providing this scale of electric energy. However, it’s not always readily available. Small nuclear reactors could provide electricity for industrial process heating in locations without access to supply from a large power plant. 

Use of electric heaters for small nuclear reactors

The nuclear power industry relies on electric immersion heaters. They maintain pressurized water reactors for effective steam generation. They are intelligently controlled by thermoregulators and automated digital control boxes for safe, efficient operation.

Electric immersion heaters are especially valuable due to their efficiency, reliability, and precision. They achieve and maintain temperatures accurately and quickly with virtually no wasted energy. This efficiency is especially important in small nuclear reactors, where the cost of generating energy is greater.

Importance of electric for power generation

Approximately one third of all energy consumption is for generating electricity. That rate is unsustainable with outdated energy methods. Coal and combustible fuels, such as those traditionally used to generate electricity, are expensive and inefficient.

Electric heaters and nuclear power offer eco-friendly, low-emission power generation at a lower cost. As power demands only increase with our growing population, the use of industrial immersion heaters in nuclear power production will continue to expand.

Purchase electric heaters for nuclear power production

Wattco custom-manufactures electric heaters to the specific needs of your nuclear power application. Our team helps you determine the right sizes, heater types, flange configurations, and wattages to maximize efficiency and production.

Contact Wattco today for electric heater quotes for nuclear power generation.