From March 11 to 16, 2019, delegation from Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research & Design Institute Co., Ltd. (SNERDI) visited The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) in Cadarache, France, for the bilateral cooperation on nuclear severe accidents.

SNERDI delegation was invited to visited PLINIUS experimental facility on site. And the prototype corium test, models on core melting and relocation, pool configuration and hear transfer were introduced by CEA and ISRN. Both sides discussed test protocol, IVR analysis methodologies and the potential collaboration.

IVR (In-vessel Retention) of core melt is a key severe accident mitigation strategy adopted by most operating nuclear power plants and advanced water reactors due to the simplicity and effectiveness. SNERDI is performing an ongoing high temperature experiment with prototype material to achieve more accurate testing results. The further research work will certify the suitability of reactor designs, reduce the engineering uncertainties, and provide solutions for important unresolved issues in reactor safety.