Fast Reactors and Accelerator Driven Systems Knowledge Base

Phènix - 30 years of history: the heart of a reactor (Jean-François Sauvage)

CEA Valrhô - BP 17171 - 39207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze cedex, 2004
This book is re-produced here with the kind permission of the author

Contents

• Introduction [PDF, 246kB]
• 1. Construction and tests (1968 - 1974) [PDF, 903kB]
  1.1. The context
  1.2. Rapsodie
  1.3. Studies of the Phénix plant
  1.4. The worksite
  1.5. The construction
  1.6. The tests
  1.7. Commissioning 1.8. Ready for operating
• 2. The Early Years (1974 - 1980) [PDF, 780kB]
  2.1. The early stages of operation
  2.2. Reactor core
  2.3. Reactor
  2.4. Leakage and intermediate heat exchangers
  2.5. Sub-assembly and component handling
  2.6. Steam generators and the electricity generating system
  2.7. First ten-yearly regulatory inspection and overhaul
  2.8. Very encouraging results
• 3. Performances time (1980 - 1986) [PDF, 1MB]
  3.1. The sodium - water reactions in the steam generators
  3.2. Electricity production
  3.3. Fuel
  3.4. Experimental irradiations
  3.5. The core instrumentation and the control rods
  3.6. Behaviour of other materials
  3.7. Local environment
  3.8. A telling summary


• 4. Troubles with the fast breeder reactors (1986 - 1992) [PDF, 1.1MB]
  4.1. Superphénix and anti-nuclear opposition
  4.2. The other fast breeder reactors
  4.3. Sodium leaks
  4.4. The second ten-yearly regulatory inspection and overhaul
  4.5. Negative reactivity trips (A.U.R.N.)
  4.6. Causes for A.U.R.N.
  4.7. Core materials
  4.8. A turning point


• 5. Safety Upgrading (1992 - 1998) [PDF, 1.1MB]
  5.1. The Lifetime Extension Project
  5.2. Cracks on the secondary circuits
  5.3. Major sodium fires and the loss of decay heat removal circuits
  5.4. New safety requirements
  5.5. The 30 December 1991 law
  5.6. The 49th irradiation cycle
  5.7. Abandoning Superphénix
  5.8. The 50th irradiation cycle
  5.9. Safety first


• 6. Renovation of the reactor (1998 - 2003) [PDF, 920kB]
  6.1. Inspections
  6.2. Seismic reinforcement
  6.3. Protection against sodium fires
  6.4. Repair of the steam generators
  6.5. Tightness of the intermediate heat exchangers
  6.6. Other work and innovations
  6.7. Organisation of the work
  6.8. The renovated reactor


• 7. Resuming operations (2003 - 2009) [PDF, 1MB]
  7.1. Preparatory work
  7.2. The 51th irradiation cycle
  7.3. Operational programme
  7.4. Core physics
  7.5. Transmutation
  7.6. Generation IV nuclear power reactors
  7.7. Dismantling preparation
  7.8. Phénix’ future


• Result [PDF, 300kB]
  
• Appendix : Plant description [PDF, 1.3MB]
  A.1. Core
  A.2. Reactor block
  A.3. Reactor circuits
  A.4. Handling operations
  A.5. Instrumentation and control
  A.6. Safety functions
  A.7. Building infrastructure
  A.8. Plant operation
  Glossary of technical terms specific to the Phénix plant
  Fast Breeder Reactors in the world
  Main presentations and publications

There is also a preface [PDF, 67kB] and an image of the covers [PDF, 765kB]