In the WP1, the new DHR system was integrated in each reactors technology, the transient enveloping scenarios were defined and the most representative ones, for each reactor, were selected. The system code RELAP5-3D© v.4.3.4. is utilized for the simulations.
The output of the activity reports the description of the systems investigated, the conditions of operation, the enveloping transient scenarios analysed.
In the WP2, on the base of the output of the WP1, the test matrix of each reactor technology relevant for the experimental characterization on SIRIO facility is defined.
For the definition of the test matrix, a steady state has been simulated, in order to guarantee the achievement of the right working conditions corresponding to the nominal conditions of each reactor technology analysed. Then, a transient test has been simulated, in order to evaluate the system response after the actuation of the decay heat removal system, paying attention on the performance of the isolation condenser and the capabilities of non-condensable gases to passively control the coolant temperature, assuring safe long term cooling conditions. The numerical results obtained allow to address that the main phenomena of interest of the safety system for the reactor technologies under investigation can be effectively represented by the SIRIO experimental facility.
The WP3 was devoted to the experimental campaigns needed to verify the system operation and increase its TRL. The available experimental facility SIRIO was used. The facility was however upgraded to fulfil the test to characterized experimentally the innovative decay heat removal systems, both for the LFR (ALFRED) configuration and for additional two reference technologies test cases, which were properly selected to be representative for the wide possible scenarios of the different reactor technologies. The first step of the WP3 was the selection of the two reference cases. The choice of two additional reference test cases, to be experimentally simulated, was based on the amount of investments and related time efforts needed for achieving the SIRIO upgrade, and according to the technological relevance of the proposed tests for any reference systems, according to the feedback received from the WP2. The result of the investigation outlined the PWR and the BWR as reference cases.
The test campaign involved, therefore, the LFR, PWR and BWR reactor technologies. Moreover, it was possible to have a further test on the ADS technology, over the three above tests required in the grant agreement.
The WP4 was devoted to the comparison of the experimental data with the pre-test analyses to solve any difference or scaling distortions, as well as to validate the computational tools and provide “best practices” guidance to capture the main underlying phenomena. Moreover, a technical specification of the innovative safety system was developed for each of the nuclear technologies under study, covering aspects like, but not limited to, system functions, system criteria, interface requirements, system performances, validation basis. The analyses of the benefits of the innovation in terms of plant robustness, traded off with the impacts deriving from its implementation (in terms of layout, civil structures, instrumentation and control, etc.), was assessed for both existing NPPs, potentially benefitting from the technology, as well as for next generation reactors. The activities outcome represents a perspective improvement in terms of TRL and bring the innovative system closer-to-the-market.
In the WP5 the PIACE dissemination, education and training activities were carried over, to create synergies with the platforms and networks of research organizations, industry, technology and engineering centres, utilities, regulatory bodies to widen the outreach of their offer by covering aspects related to the challenges and opportunities of the technological innovation in the nuclear industry.
The project got advantage by the Horizon Results Booster, a support system available in EC, to addresses projects eager to go beyond their Dissemination and Exploitation (D&E) obligations under Horizon 2020.
