Identification and categorisation of safety issues for ESNII reactor concepts. Part I: Common phenomena related to materials. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tuček, K.; Hermsmeyer, S.; Ammirabile, L.; Blanc, D.; Wattelle, E.; Burgazzi, L.; Frogheri, M.; Mansani, L.; Ehster-Vignoud, S.; Carluec, B.; Aoust, Th.; Niculae, C.; Elter, Zs.; Toth, I.
• Is Part Of: Annals of nuclear energy. Volume 87:Part 2(2016:Jan.)
• Page Start: 411
• Page End: 425
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Reactor safety -- Common phenomena -- Nuclear materials -- SARGEN_IV -- ESNII -- Generation-IV; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; 621.4805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2015.08.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4549

Abstract

Highlights: SARGEN_IV developed a harmonised safety assessment methodology for ESNII concepts. Key safety features of the ESNII concepts were reviewed. The safety issues were categorised to identify common phenomena related to materials. The work provided guidance for the prioritisation of further R&D needs. Abstract: With the aim to develop a joint proposal for a harmonised European methodology for safety assessment of advanced reactors with fast neutron spectrum, SARGEN_IV (Safety Assessment for Reactors of Gen IV) Euratom coordination action project gathered together twenty-two partners' safety experts from twelve EU Member States. The group consisted of eight European Technical Safety Organisations involved in the European Technical Safety Organisation Network (ETSON), European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), system designers, industrial vendors as well as research & development (R&D) organisations. To support the methodology development, key safety features of four fast neutron spectrum reactor concepts considered in Deployment Strategy of the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) were reviewed. In particular, outcomes from running European Sustainable Nuclear Industrial Initiative (ESNII) system projects and related Euratom collaborative projects for Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors, Lead-cooled Fast Reactors, Gas-cooled Fast Reactors, and the lead–bismuth eutectic cooled Fast Spectrum Transmutation Experimental Facility were gathered and critically assessed. To allow a consistent build-up of safety architecture for the ESNII reactor concepts, the safety issues were further categorised to identify common phenomena related to materials. Outcomes of the present work also provided guidance for the identification and prioritisation of further R&D needs respective to the identified safety issues.