Resumen
The H2020 EURATOM "CORTEX" project aims at developing an innovative core monitoring technique that allows detecting anomalies
in nuclear reactors, such as excessive vibrations of core internals, flow blockage, coolant inlet perturbations, etc. The
technique will be based on primarily using the inherent fluctuations in neutron flux recorded by in-core and ex-core
instrumentation, from which the anomalies will be differentiated depending on their type, location and characteristics.
The method is non-intrusive and does not require any external perturbation of the system. The project will result in a
deepened understanding of the physical processes involved. This will allow utilities to detect operational problems at a
very early stage and to take proper actions before such problems have any adverse effect on plant safety and reliability.
With an ageing fleet of nuclear reactors utilizing more challenging fuel assembly designs, core loadings, and operating
more often in load-follow, new operational problems have been observed during the last decade and will become
more frequent in the future. By making the detection and characterization of anomalies possible, the availability of
nuclear-generated electricity will be further improved. This will contribute to a lowering of the CO2 footprint to
the environment and to a higher availability of cheap base-load electricity to the consumers. By implementing the
technique in the existing fleet of reactors, the technique will have a major impact. Moreover, the technique, being
generic in nature, can be applied to future reactor types and designs. In order to develop a method that can reach a
high Technology Readiness Level, the consortium was strategically structured around the required core expertise from
all the necessary actors of the nuclear industry, both within Europe and outside. The broad expertise of the consortium
members ensures the successful development of new in-situ monitoring techniques.
