EPJ Nuclear Sci. Technol. 11, 10 (2025)
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjn/2025004

Regular Article

Enhancing severe accident management through research

¹ CIEMAT Centre for Research on Energy, Environment and Technology, 28040 Madrid, Spain
² UPM, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
³ VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, Kivimiehentie 3, 02044 VTT Espoo, Finland

^* e-mail: luisen.herranz@ciemat.es

Received: 11 November 2024
Received in final form: 9 January 2025
Accepted: 6 February 2025
Published online: 7 April 2025

Abstract

After the Fukushima Daiichi accident, a new wave of research projects aiming at enhancing severe accident (SA) management was launched under different international frameworks. This was the case of MUSA (Management and Uncertainties of Severe Accidents), AMHYCO (Towards and enhanced Accident Management of the H2 and CO combustion risk) and SOCRATES (Assessment of liquid Source Term for accidental post management phase), which under the frame of H2020 and HEUROPE EURATOM were devised to optimize different aspects of Severe Accident management. MUSA explored how bringing uncertainties quantification in the Severe Accident analysis might provide sounder insights into effects and timing of accident management actions. AMHYCO brought new insights into combustion risk management, particularly during the ex-vessel phase of the accident, by combining in a selective manner different analytical approaches and data on recombination and combustion of gas mixtures (i.e., H₂/CO/air/steam). SOCRATES is hitting accident management related to liquid source terms, with emphasis in the long-run of the accident. This paper describes the major outcomes of the projects and outlines what should come next for an efficient application of the insights gained in the accident management.