Optimization of prevention and mitigation of severe accidents through Research: Major outcomes and outlook of the Spanish programme

Abstract

Severe accidents research activities in Spain have grown substantially since the Fukushima-Daiichi accident. Most of these research activities have been conducting by a few organizations (national research center and academia) with the support of the Regulatory Authority, utilities and engineering companies. A great number of these activities were conducted in the analytical field and their main outcomes are contributing to a better understanding of severe accident phenomena (i.e., pool scrubbing; combustible gas distribution and combustion; fission products transport; etc.) and the efficiency of severe accident management actions (i.e., FLEX; PARs; activation of safety systems, long-term measures; etc.). The national framework set between researchers and end-users (regulators and utilities) is improving the safety of the Spanish nuclear power plants and allows for the assimilation of the research results by the nuclear industry.