Radioactivity Confinement Studies Within the SEAL Program

Abstract

In the framework of the European SEAL program, investigations have been performed with the aim of optimizing the second confinement function and plant layout with respect to normal operation as well as abnormal operation, including accident conditions. This has been done for two conceptual fusion reactor designs: one using water as the coolant and the other using helium. The starting point of these investigations was the SEAFP project design. For the water-cooled reactor design the studies were focused on design options such as pressure suppression spray system, pressure suppression pool with closed containment or with venting to gravel bed filter and stack, and separate expansion volume optionally operated with a vacuum and equipped with spray system. Similar analyses were performed for the helium-cooled reactor design. The analyses were focused on design options comprising a single, large confinement volume or a vent duct connected to an expansion volume operated at vacuum in comparison with the SEAFP Model 1. The thermal-hydraulic analyses performed with the MELCOR code provide an integrated assessment of the cooling loop and confinement system dynamics.