Heavy liquid metal pool thermal-hydraulics for nuclear R&D: Statistical analysis project report

Partitioning and transmutation refers to the process of processing spent nuclear fuel and partially re-utilizing it, with particular emphasis on reducing the final inventory of minor actinides. A transmuter reactor is therefore the second system where the processed fuel is reused. Heavy liquid metal cooled reactors, and specifically Accelerator Driven Systems (ADS) are particularly well suited for transmutation purposes due to their characteristics related to neutron and reactor physics. The Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN) is developing the Multi-purpose Hybrid Research Reactor for High-tech Applications (MYRRHA). Conceived as an ADS prototype, MYRRHA is a flexible fast-spectrum pool-type research reactor cooled by lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE), playing an integral role within the European Sustainable Nuclear Industrial Initiative in support of the development of Lead Fast Reactor technology. As a major design choice for the reactor, following a passive-safety approach, is the selection of a pool configuration, meaning that all components of the primary system are placed inside of the main vessel. This configuration allows for decay heat removal by means of natural circulation inside of the main vessel. The design foresees that the heat generated in the core (at decay power levels) can be safely transported to the heat sink(s) by the buoyancy-driven flow of the primary coolant. This design approach must be supported by an experimental demonstration program. The source data used in this report concerns nine pool thermal-hydraulic experimental runs conducted in the E-SCAPE facility at SCK CEN by the Heavy Liquid Metal Technology Unit. Specifically, data from forced convection steady-state conditions is used. In MYRRHA, this condition is the precursor to investigate transient accident-scenarios related to loss of flow or coolant capability. This project report was written in the scope of the Design and Analysis of Experimentation course, taught at KU Leuven by Dr. Martin Diehl.