MYRRHA

Its design will be adapted as a function of the experience gained from a first research project with a small proton accelerator and a lead-bismuth eutectic target: GUINEVERE.

[2] MYRRHA is anticipated to be constructed in 2036, with a first phase (100 MeV LINAC accelerator) expected to be completed in 2026 if successfully demonstrated.

In most such designs, a loss of control can lead to a runaway reaction, heating the fuel until it melts.

In most designs, these are provided from a second much smaller reactor running on a neutron-rich fuel, like highly enriched uranium.

The MYRRHA design uses the lead-bismuth cooling fuel as the target, shooting the protons directly into the reactor core.

[4] A linear accelerator is under development to provide a beam of fast proton that hits a spallation target, producing neutrons.

[7] The high reliability and intense beam current required for operating such a machine makes the proton accelerator potentially interesting for online isotope separation.

Phase I of the project therefore also includes the design and feasibility study of ISOL@MYRRHA to investigate exotic isotopes.