Fast Reactors and Accelerator Driven Systems Knowledge Base

Conference Article: Swiss fast reactor research program

Brogli, R. (Paul Scherrer Inst. (PSI), Villigen (Switzerland))

Abstract

The motivation for the small, Swiss research effort on fast reactors is to maintain a knowledge on the safety problems of the fast reactor in particular on Superphenix. In the western part of Switzer-land, mostly in region of Geneva, there is a widespread fear of being harmed by a possible accident at Creys-Malville situated about 100 km downstream the Rhone river but upwind the prevailing westerly winds from Geneva. The objective information gained through the research effort and the information exchanges with the French Safety Authorities allow the Swiss authorities to evaluate the risks and to put them into perspectives with the risks experienced from other sources and the limiting values of the Swiss legislation. There are three research activities, one in reactor physics trying to learn on various influences on the reactivity a second in thermohydraulics studying the mixing processes of sodium at fluid inter-faces and a third on fuel materials for potential use in future plutonium burning fast reactors.

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key words: fast reactors; hydraulics; nuclear fuels; public opinion; reactivity; reactor physics; reactor safety; research programs; risk assessment; super phenix reactor; switzerland; technology transfer
Reference:
28. meeting of the International Working Group on Fast Reactors. Vienna (Austria). 9-11 May 1995
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)
IAEA-TECDOC--876, pp:222-230