As one of the Generation-IV reactor concepts, lead-alloy-cooled advanced nuclear energy systems (LACANES) have been studied worldwide in order to utilize the advantages of good heat transfer properties, neutron transparency and chemical inertness with air and water. Since the Fukushima accident, the passive safety aspect of the LACANES is increasingly emphasized due to outstanding natural circulation capability. To investigate the thermal-hydraulic capability of LBE, an international cooperation has been performed under OECD/NEA program, under the guidance of the Nuclear Science Committee by a task force named as Lead Alloy Cooled Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems (LACANES) since 2007. This international collaboration had dealt with computational benchmarking of isothermal LBE forced convection tests in the phase I, and the working group published a guideline for using one-dimensional system codes to simulate LBE forced circulation test results from HELIOS loop. The phase II was started after that, to give an additional guideline in the case of natural circulation. NACIE, one of benchmarking targets for the phase II which is a rectangular-shape loop located at ENEA-Brasimone Research Centre, Italy. NACIE test results were benchmarked by each participant using their one-dimensional thermal-hydraulic codes, and they are to follow the guideline from the LACANES phase I for regions where hydraulic loss occurs. Due to the selection of hydraulic loss coefficient relations by users, the cross-comparison results of international participants showed some discrepancies and the estimated mass flow rates had 13% of maximum error. Also, the future R&D areas are identified.
ERDA nuclear energy center program. Phase I. Program definition. Final report