Experimental Reactor Physics (ERP)

Exp. Reactor Physics in LRT is dedicated to provide experimental data and their analysis to improve reactor physics knowledge and expertise. This includes providing experiments for characterizing advanced and future generation reactor concepts and for improving Light Water Reactors (LWR) fuel economy and operational margins. Experiments also served as integral validation for nuclear data and the reduction of their uncertainties.

These missions have been fulfilled up until 2011 mainly through the use of the unique zero-power research reactor PROTEUS located at PSI. Dedicated experimental programs to advanced concepts (GCFR, HCLWR, and HTR) and to modern LWRs and their spent fuel have been carried out since 1968.

Today, after the shutdown of PROTEUS, the research activities of the groups have been re-oriented towards better use of PSI, Swiss and international facilities through partnerships and cooperations, continuing analyzing PROTEUS data for code validation, shifting activities to the CROCUS zero-power reactor at EPFL and reinforcing its role in education.