Andrea Zappatore
Papers
1
Total Citations
5
H-Index
1
About
Andrea Zappatore is a nuclear fusion researcher specializing in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and thermal-hydraulic safety analysis for next-generation fusion reactors. Her work focuses on the critical challenge of managing decay heat during reactor shutdowns, particularly for the European DEMO (EU DEMO) design. In her most-cited study, "CFD analysis of natural convection cooling of the in-vessel components during a shutdown of the EU DEMO fusion reactor" (2021), she demonstrated how passive cooling mechanisms can safely remove residual heat from in-vessel components without active systems—a key safety requirement for future fusion power plants. This research, which has garnered 5 citations, contributes to the broader effort of ensuring reactor safety and reliability under accident scenarios. Zappatore’s expertise lies in modeling complex thermal-fluid phenomena, including natural convection and radiation heat transfer, to validate passive safety strategies. Her work is instrumental in bridging the gap between experimental data and reactor design, helping to establish the technical foundations for DEMO’s licensing and operation. By advancing the understanding of shutdown cooling, she supports the global push toward practical, safe fusion energy.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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