JOINT RESEARCH ACTIVITY 4:
"IRRADIATION IN PRESENCE OF LBE"


Responsable person: Friedrich Groeschel, PSI - friedrich.groeschel@psi.ch

The aim of this JRA is to cover a major lack in the capabilities of the existing facilities to perform experiments
combining HLM and radioactivity. Hence the development of a high temperature lead alloy loop is planned to be installed in a MTR reactor BR2 under the leadership of SCK•CEN.

The in-pile HLM loop should be designed in such a way that it can be used for the following purposes that are common to the development of GEN-IV LFR and Pb(-Bi) ADS whereby some of these points are as well covered in LiSoR.

  • LFR materials compatibility with Pb(-Bi) under irradiation:
    1. cladding, reactor internals, heat exchangers, pumps;
    2. corrosion.
  • Pb-Bi conditioning and purification technologies in radio-active conditions.
  • Radiation effects on coolant chemistry control:
    • oxygen sensors and oxygen control;
    • 210Po control;
    • corrosion products control.
  • Reactor components in Pb(-Bi) under irradiation:
    • ultrasonic sensors for in-service inspection;
    • liquid metal pumps;
    • instrumentation.

NA4 INVOLVED INSTITUTIONS :: FZK - SCK•CEN - PSI