Teaching Sodium Fast Reactors in CEA

Latge Christian (1) , F. Beauchamp (1) , L. Gicquel (2)

1 CEA-DES (ex-DEN) - CEA-Direction des Energies (ex-Direction de l'Energie Nucléaire)
2 INSTN - Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucléaires

Among the Fast Neutron Reactor Systems, the SFR has the most comprehensive technological basis as result of the experience gained from worldwide operation of several experimental, prototype, and commercial size reactors since the 1940s. This experience corresponds to about 402 years of operation by end of 2010. Six reactors are in operation BOR60, BN600 and BN800 in Russia, Joyo in Japan, FBTR in India and CEFR in China. One reactor is being commissioned PFBR (500MWe) in India and several projects are currently developed FBR1 and 2 in India, BN1200 in Russia, JSFR in Japan, PGSFR in Korea, CFR-600 in China and ASTRID in France. In order to support operation of existing reactors, design activities for new projects and decommissioning of old reactors, it is mandatory to develop skills, more particularly among the young generation, who will operate these new reactors. In addition, education and training is also essential to share the knowledge among the teams involved in Research and Development. Several strategies are developed at the national level, or within multilateral framework, like EU or IAEA to support development of Fast Reactors.In France, to answer to this increasing demand of Education and Training, four sessions are proposed, within the frame of INSTN (French National Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology)-SFR History, main options, design and operational feedback-SFR Functional analysis and design-SFR Safety and operation-SFR Sodium structures interactionsThe French Na School (ESML) provides since 1975 also several sessions dedicated to Na facilities design, safe operation, handling, and also decommissioning and sodium treatment. Beside courses, practical exercises are organized during each session. 10 different modules are available, ranging in length from 1 to 5 days. CEA contributes also to the organization of European Sessions dedicated to Sodium Fast Reactors, organized within the frame of the European Commission (CP-ESFR, ESNII+ , ESFR-SMART) This Education and Training strategy is a key element for the future of the development of Sodium Fast Reactors, and more particularly ASTRID project. CEA is ready to share training experience and to collaborate with other foreign Education and Training Entities.

Mots clés: Education and Training; INSTN; ESML; Ecole du Sodium; SFR

Domaines: Physique Nucléaire Expérimentale [nucl-ex]; Physique Nucléaire Théorique [nucl-th]

Latge Christian, F. Beauchamp, L. Gicquel. Teaching Sodium Fast Reactors in CEA. GIF Symposium, Oct 2018, Paris, France. ⟨cea-02328976⟩