Assessment of the enhanced DHRS configuration for MYRRHA reactor

This paper deals with the assessment of an innovative decay heat removal system for the MYRRHA reactor, based on the analysis of the selected transients with two different system codes. The application to liquid metal cooled reactors has the disadvantage of adding overcooling transients to the transient spectrum. Under these circumstances, freezing of the coolant can occur if no corrective or operator actions are taken in the medium and long term. Therefore, ANSALDO Nucleare invented an enhanced decay heat removal system which avoids the risk of freezing. The numerical assessment and proof of operational principles are performed by KIT and ENEA. The simulation results show that the freezing can be avoided. Moreover, both institutions calculate similar behavior during overcooling transients. This study will help to implement the novel decay heat removal system and the overall safety philosophy of innovative reactor concepts.