ENEA and Newcleo are collaborating to create, by 2026, the world’s first electrical simulator for liquid lead-cooled fourth generation nuclear reactors. Named PRECURSORthis simulator is being developed at the Brasimone Research Center, a European reference point for liquid metal technology.
The simulator will be able to replicate the operation of a non-nuclear prototype, reproducing every thermo-fluid-dynamic and control aspect. PRECURSOR represents a decisive step for the launch of Lead-cooled Fast Reactor (LFR)the first lead-cooled fast reactor that could come into operation in France in 2031. LFR reactors use liquid lead as a coolant and are designed to be compact and safe, with passive safety systems capable of ensuring stable operations even without external intervention .
How PRECURSOR works
The PRECURSOR project aims to validate the LFR technology through an innovative experimental platform, essential for testing key components and calculation codes. This simulator allows you to verify the behavior of liquid metals such as lead, both in terms of thermal management and in fast cooling processes, fundamental aspects to guarantee the safety and efficiency of fast reactors.
THE Lead-cooled Fast Reactor They offer key advantages: they use passive cooling systems and allow spent fuel to be recycled, thus reducing the volume of nuclear waste. Their ability to reuse plutonium and depleted uranium makes this technology one of the most sustainable among advanced nuclear reactors, potentially capable of closing the fuel cycle.
In the Brasimone Centre, the laboratory CIRCE plays a crucial role in the development of PRECURSOR. This experimental infrastructure allows the operation of lead-cooled reactors to be simulated and represents a European reference center for testing components and analyzing the safety of fourth generation nuclear reactors.
