Project description
Pushing forward the licensing of integral pressurised water reactors in Europe
There is growing interest in Europe in the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs). One type of SMR is the integral pressurised water reactor (iPWR), which is ready to be licensed as a new build. Despite the reinforcement of the first three levels of the defence-in-depth (DiD) approach, a sound demonstration of iPWR ability to address severe accidents (SA) should be carried out (DiD levels 4-5). In this context, the EU-funded SASPAM-SA project aims to investigate the applicability and transfer of the operating large light-water reactor knowledge and know-how to the iPWR, taking into account European licensing analysis needs for the SA and emergency planning zone. Project outcomes will help speed up the licensing and siting process of iPWRs in Europe.
Objective
Small Modular Reactors (SMR) are one of the key options for the near-term deployment of new nuclear reactors. Currently in Europe there is a growing interest towards the deployment of SMRs, and several activities are underway in many countries preparing for possible licensing needs. In particular, Integral Pressurized Water Reactor (iPWR) are ready to be licensed as new builds because they start from the well-proven and established large Light Water Reactor (LWR) technology, incorporate their operational plant experience/feedback, and include moderate evolutionary design modifications to increase the inherent safety of the plant. However, despite the reinforcement of the first three levels of the Defence-in-Depth (DiD), e.g. with the adoption of passive safety systems, a sound demonstration of iPWR ability to address Severe Accidents (SA) should be carried out (DiD levels 4-5). The main objectives of the project will be to transfer and adapt such knowledge and know-how to iPWR, in view of the European SA and Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) analyses. The main elements considered are: (i) the identification of plausible SA scenarios for iPWRs with the related conditions in the vessel and in the containment, (ii) the study of the applicability of the existing experimental databases to iPWR and identify new experimental needs, (iii) the assessment of the capability of internationally recognized European and Non-European computational tools (largely used in Europe) to describe the behaviour of the most promising iPWR designs during SA scenarios, and (iv) the prediction of the resulting radiological impact on- and off-site, taking into account special SA mitigation/management strategies. The expected outcomes of the project will help speeding up the licensing of iPWRs in Europe, as well as the siting processes of these reactors in light of their possible use near densely populated areas.
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
EURATOM-RIA - EURATOM Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinator
00196 Roma
Italy
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Participants (21)
28040 MADRID
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75794 Paris
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75008 Paris
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52428 Julich
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50667 Koln
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1784 Sofia
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92260 Fontenay Aux Roses
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76131 Karlsruhe
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100 44 Stockholm
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LT-44403 Kaunas
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20133 Milano
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115400 Mioveni
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44801 Bochum
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44122 Ferrara
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
03142 Kyiv
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14000 Praha
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1000 BRUXELLES
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1000 Sofia
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00185 Roma
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02150 Espoo
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1049 Bruxelles / Brussel
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Partners (1)
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
5232 Villigen Psi
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