Severe nuclear accident prevention

Large-scale nuclear test facilities unique in Europe joined in an initiative to open their doors to transnational access. Scientists were thus able to address the few remaining priority safety issues for nuclear power plant operation under unparalleled prototype conditions.

Prevention is of critical importance when it comes to the safety of nuclear reactor operation. While severe accidents are highly unlikely, they are the subject of intense research due to the particularly hazardous nature of radioactive material release into the environment.

The Severe Accident Research Priorities (SARP) group of the Severe Accident Research Network of Excellence (SARNET) provides an up-to-date ranking of research priorities in the field. The phenomena are extremely complex and require substantial human, financial and infrastructural resources often beyond the means of individual countries. The main objective of the EU-funded project 'Large scale experiments on core degradation, melt retention and containment behaviour' (LACOMECO) was to facilitate cooperation. The focus was on core melt scenarios using large-scale tests under prototypical conditions.

By providing transnational access to four large-scale experimental facilities at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), scientists enabled investigation of the remaining medium- and high-priority severe accident safety issues. In addition, the participation of east European research organisations and utilities provided a unique opportunity for knowledge transfer to respective experts historically lacking the required financial and material resources.

Results of the experiments have been widely disseminated. They are providing critical input to models and simulation software for safety assessment and accident mitigation. Among these is Accident Source Term Evaluation Code (ASTEC), a software package that attempts to simulate all phenomena occurring in a severe accident based on separate effects tests. Further, knowledge gained is expected to improve severe accident management measures and increase public confidence in nuclear energy.

LACOMECO outcomes have enhanced understanding of events in a whole core melt sequence by addressing the last remaining medium- and high-priority severe accident safety issues. They will serve not only to lower the risk of occurrence but also but to mitigate potential consequences.

related link: http://cordis.europa.eu/result/brief/rcn/9964_en.html