ASTRID, The SFR GENIV Technology Demonstrator Project Where Are We, Where Do We Stand For?

Abstract : The Preconceptual Design phase (AVP1) of the ASTRID Project ended late 2012, the main goal was to evaluate innovative options. It is now followed by the AVP2 phase planned until the end of 2015 whose objectives are both to focus the design in order to finalize a coherent reactor outline and to finalize by December 2015 the Safety Option Report. The CEA acts as the industrial architect of the project. In 2014, twelve industrial partners were involved in the project. Japan which participates now in the design studies and also in RandD in support of the ASTRID Project and VELAN of the French Pole Nucleaire de Bourgogne, are the latest partners to join the Project. The Option Selection Process (RCO) is continuing during the AVP2 phase although structuring decisions remain to be made (the choice of the Energy Conversion System between Rankine cycle and Gas Brayton cycle). Other important option selections, which could nevertheless be reconsidered before starting the core of the Basic Design phase are: the choice of an internal fuel storage and a gas fuel handling chain, a rectangular reactor building with a single wall containment, the steam generator size the vertical handling of components. In addition, BOP studies considering the MARCOULE site as a possible one are going on. The next important milestone is at the end of 2015 with the release by the Project team of a convincing and coherent Conceptual Design file.