Reinforced concerted action on reactor safety
The European Commission, DG XII, has published the final report of the reinforced concerted action on reactor safety (1990-1994), funded under the Nuclear Fission Safety research programme of the European Atomic Energy Community. The reactor safety action was mainly concerned with the confinement of radioactivity under severe accident conditions. The main objectives were to improve the understanding of severe accident phenomena and to develop a consensus at Community level on how to treat them. The Commission contribution to this action (ECU 13 million) represented some 21% of the total cost (ECU 62 million). Over 100 proposals were received following a call for tenders. The selected proposals were grouped into eight projects, covering three research areas: - Accident progression analysis: . Core degradation progression; . Hydrogen-related problems; . Molten fuel/coolant interaction; . Reactor pressure vessel response; . Molten core/concrete interaction; . Source term (fission product behaviour); - Behaviour and qualification of the containment system: . Containment response; - Management and control of accidents: . Accident management support. In total, 59 partners from across the EU participated in the eight projects. In addition, a number of partners from Central and Eastern European countries were associated with the projects, providing valuable experience for both sides. The report contains details of the results of each of the eight projects, as well as contact information for the project coordinators.