In view of the possible licensing needs of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), the international scientific community is focusing on investigating the applicability of Severe Accident (SA) integral codes in simulating SMR response during postulated transients. Among the SMRs designs, the integral Pressurized Water Reactor (iPWR) concept, starting from the well-proven and established large Light Water Reactor (LWR) technology, is characterized by the adoption of passive safety systems and integral configuration. Within this framework, the Horizon Project “Safety Analysis of SMR with Passive Mitigation strategies – Severe Accident” (SASPAM – SA), coordinated by ENEA (Italy), is focused on investigating the applicability and transfer of operating large LWR knowledge and know-how to iPWRs in view of SA and Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) European licensing needs. In this framework, the present study aims to provide initial insights on the application of Best Estimate Plus Uncertainty (BEPU) approach to SMR  and about MECOR code uncertainties on the main thermal-hydraulic phenomena occurring in a generic iPWR.

This work has been published in the conference proceedings: Proceedings of the 11th European Review Meeting on Severe Accidents Research (ERMSAR2024).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5445/IR/1000174165