This study deals with the feasibility study of a new in-vessel core melt retention (IVCMR) strategy capable to extend the coping period in the event of adverse situations, involving the melting of the core. Since Fukushima accident, many studies have been carried out to resolve the severe accident mitigation issues related to the corium stabilization inside and outside the reactor vessel. | Progress in Nuclear Energy 123 2020 103321 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Progress in Nuclear Energy journal homepage http locate pnucene Analysis of feasibility of a new core catcher for the in-vessel core melt retention strategy Rosa Lo Frano Riccardo Ciolini Alessio Pesetti Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering University of Pisa Italy A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T Keywords This study deals with the feasibility study of a new in-vessel core melt retention IVCMR strategy capable to Passive safety system extend the coping period in the event of adverse situations involving the melting of the core. In-vessel core melt retention Since Fukushima accident many studies have been carried out to resolve the severe accident mitigation issues Ceramic material related to the corium stabilization inside and outside the reactor vessel. This is in fact one of the most relevant FEM Innovative design safety issues to secure LWRs from the point of view of severe accident mitigation and containment integrity. As Severe accident for the corium stabilization inside the reactor vessel in this study it is proposed a new IVCMR concept developed at the University of Pisa based on the adoption of an original core catcher design made of batches of ceramic material. By profiting of its low thermal conductivity this core catcher is capable to retard the heat-up of the lower head of the vessel during the phase of relocation of the corium. To support the feasibility of its design analytical and numerical analyses have been performed assuming homogeneous pool condition. Results show that the adoption of the proposed core catcher solution extends the severe accident coping period after 1 h from the initiating event the maximum temperature of the vessel wall is below the limit for which localized failure may appear. 1. Introduction with consequent failure modes. There has been not noticeably change from TMI-2 accident core melt forms a pool in the .
