Les cahiers de l'ASN #01 - Nuclear power plants: going beyond 40 years

Installing a corium catcher* In the event of core melt leading to vessel melt-through, the molten fuel residues (corium) must be cooled to prevent this highly radioactive material from affecting the environment by passing through the basemat*. Adding an extra system enables heat to be removed from the containment in the event of core melt The aim is to significantly reduce releases to the environment in the event of core melt. * See glossary p.24