Myrrha, a multipurpose accelerator driven system for research and development - abs24

SCK.CEN in partnership with IBA s.a. is designing a multipurpose ADS for R and D applications - MYRRHA - and is conducting an associated R and D programme. In a first stage, the project focuses mainly on demonstration of the ADS concept and safety research on sub-critical systems. In a later stage, the device will also be dedicated to research on structural materials, nuclear fuel, liquid metals and associated aspects and on sub-critical reactor physics. Subsequently, it will be used for research on applications such as nuclear waste transmutation and radioisotope production. The MYRRHA system is expected to become a major research infrastructure for the European partners involved in the ADS Demo development. The preliminary conceptual design of MYRRHA was completed in the beginning of 2002 and an intensive R and D programme was established. This paper will report on the conclusion of the pre-design study of June 2002 and on the methods and results of the R and D programme. (authors)