Safety of nuclear fuels. New Cabri - water loop IPSN / OECD international research programme

A reactivity accident could occur in the case of fuel element accidental ejection. It would induce a quick increase of the neutrons flow in the reactor core, and then to the rupture of pins close to the ejected rod and to the dispersion of the fuel they contain. This phenomenon could lead to give off energy by interaction between the fuel and the primary circuit water. The Cabri research reactor was used to study this case of accident, but this reactor is equipped with a sodium loop; in order to get more representative thermohydraulic conditions for the PWR type reactors, the sodium loop must be replaced by a water loop. Update relative to new radiation protection conditions against the seismic and fire risks is also planned. (N.C.)