In March, the National Centre for Nuclear Research hosted the plenary meeting of the TREASURE project. This initiative, funded by the European Commission, supports research and development efforts aimed at advancing gas-cooled fast reactor (GFR) technology.

The work is being carried out within the framework of the V4G4 Centre of Excellence, founded by the National Centre for Nuclear Research, ÚJV Řež (Czech Republic), the HUN-REN Centre for Energy Research (Hungary), and VUJE (Slovakia). The Centre also collaborates with CEA (France) and CVR (Czech Republic).

The project work is being developed in the context of a 100 MWt gas-cooled fast reactor (GFR) technology demonstrator called ALLEGRO. Currently, the project is in the advanced conceptual design phase. Work is underway on the design of high-temperature-resistant fuel and a post-shutdown cooling system for emergency conditions. The ALLEGRO reactor is designed to also serve as part of a closed fuel cycle. It will be capable of operating on MOX (mixed oxide) fuel and reprocessing unused uranium and plutonium from conventional nuclear reactors. The ALLEGRO reactor will be used to supply industrial processes with high-temperature heat – the temperature of the gas exiting the reactor is expected to reach 850°C.

Prior to the TREASURE project, the National Centre for Nuclear Research actively participated in other similar initiatives, such as GoFastR, VINCO, and SafeG. In the current project, the NCBJ serves as the leader of Work Package 3 – “Application of GFR as industrial power and heat sources.” – With each project, the NCBJ expands its expertise and scope of responsibility for the technical aspects of safety calculations, but not only that. Our participation in TREASURE covers all areas of the project’s tasks – says dr inż. Michał Spirzewski from the Nuclear Energy and Environmental Studies Division, the WP3 leader on behalf of the NCBJ.