The new ESFR reactor and core designs (Figs. 1-3) featuring new safety measures were developed and the safety architecture was created for this design.
The ESFR performance characteristics at the beginning and end of the equilibrium fuel cycle were evaluated and analysed. The fuel performance benchmark was conducted and importance of coupled calculations was estimated.
The computer models of the whole ESFR reactor system were developed, steady state analysis was done (Figs. 4-5) and a number of protected and unprotected accidents was simulated.
The thermal mechanical model of the reactor core coupled to the neutronics model has been developed and validated using the Phenix core flowering tests in frame of the PhD study.
The work has been done on modeling of the core degradation and movement of the molten materials to the core catcher device taking into account the dedicated transfer tubes from the core towards the core catcher.
Several benchmarks dedicated to core neutronics (Superphenix start-up tests), sodium thermal hydraulics (KNS-L22 sodium boiling test), molten fuel thermodynamics (SCARABEE BF1 in-pile test of fresh UO2 molten pool) and source term (NALA, FAUST and FANAL tests on fission product release) were completed.
The CHUG steam-water experiments on chugging boiling, JIMEC on interaction of a molten steel with concrete and HanSoLo (Fig. 6) on interaction of a water jet with ice as well as LIVE tests on modeling of the molten core material interaction with the core catcher were done; the KASOLA sodium facility was under commissioning tests; the KARIFA sodium facility has been designed.
The design guidelines, standard procedures for sodium loops and review of sodium technologies were reported.
Test series with various modifications of Eddy Current Flow Meter (ECFM) have been successfully realized, a new pool-type model experiment for tests in 3D flows using GaInSn has been designed and conducted (Fig. 7) and the test mock-up for ECFM tests under realistic sodium conditions was designed and calculated.
Fresh and irradiated fuel samples were transported to the hot labs, prepared and characterized. The new measurements of fuel properties has been performed and reported.
Several workshops, one short course and Summer School were organized. The project video was created and disseminated and the two project-related Generation-IV International Forum Webinars were conducted.
