Experiments prior to construction of the Rapsodie reactor (1962)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vautrey, L.; Zaleski, C.P.

1962-01-01

Before proceeding to the construction of the various reactor components described in the paper 'Fast Breeder Reactor Rapsodie', many experimental studies of a hydraulic, thermal and mechanical character have been carried out, or are under consideration, to test the validity of the principles adopted in the Preliminary Project. This paper deals with the most important of these: 1. Studies of coolant circuit components: sodium pumps (mechanical or electromagnetic), Na-NaK and NaK ir heat exchangers, measuring instruments (flow rates, temperatures), sodium purification circuits, etc. 2. Studies in cooling of fuel and fertile assemblies: a) study of the sodium cooling carried out by means of hydraulic mockups (scale of 1: 1 or over) reproducing the flow of the coolant fluid in the piping, upstream from and inside the fuel and fertile elements. b) study of the cooling by gas and by immersion in lead, employed during handling and storage operations. 3. Studies of special reactor devices: fusible rotating linkage, parts of the control rod mechanisms. 4. Study of the reactor block and coolant circuits as a whole. This study is to begin at the end of the year. The mock-up, now nearing completion, reproduces on a scale of 1: 1 the installation provided in the Preliminary Project and includes: the reactor block, to which is connected a high flow ate sodium circuit, permitting of long-term tests and thermal shocks, and also, a control rod testing circuit; complete installation of the 1 MW and 10 MW coolant circuits, the performances of which it will be possible to check under various operational conditions. 5. A safety study carried out on a 3: 10 scale mock p comprising the whole of the reactor block and shielding, with the object of limiting the effects of any accidental liberation of energy of an explosive character. (authors) [fr

Operating experience with small diameter bellows used in the Phenix and Rapsodie reactors, and in sodium test facilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Allegre, P.; Jacquelin, R.; Carbonnier, J.L.

1980-01-01

In the Rapsodie and Phenix fast breeder reactors, small diameter bellows are used on the control rod mechanisms and on some valves. The Valve bellows sustain slow longitudinal movements with stroke/length ratios of about 0.3, and hydroformed bellows are suitable for this application. The control rod mechanism bellows are subjected to greater length variations (ΔL/L>0.5) including fast drops, so that welded disk models are used

ITER at Cadarache

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2005-06-01

This public information document presents the ITER project (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), the definition of the fusion, the international cooperation and the advantages of the project. It presents also the site of Cadarache, an appropriate scientifical and economical environment. The last part of the documentation recalls the historical aspect of the project and the today mobilization of all partners. (A.L.B.)

Decontamination between dismantling of the Rapsodie primary coolant circuit

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Costes, J.R.; Gauchon, J.P.; Antoine, P.

1991-01-01

The large-scale decontamination of FBR sodium loops is a novel task, as only a limited number of laboratory-scale results are available to date. The principal objective of this work is to develop a suitable decontamination procedure for application to the primary loops of the RAPSODIE fast breeder reactor as part of decommissionning to Stage 2

Rapsodie first core manufacture. 1. part: processing plant

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Masselot, Y.; Bataller, S.; Ganivet, M.; Guillet, H.; Robillard, A.; Stosskopf, F.

1968-01-01

This report is the first in a series of three describing the processes, results and peculiar technical problems related to the manufacture of the first core of the fast reactor Rapsodie. A detailed study of manufacturing processes(pellets, pins, fissile sub-assemblies), the associated testings (raw materials, processed pellets and pins, sub-assemblies before delivery), manufacturing facilities and improvements for a second campaign are described. (author) [fr

Rapsodie first core manufacture. 1. part: processing plant; Fabrication du premier coeur de rapsodie. Premiere partie: l'atelier de fabrication

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Masselot, Y; Bataller, S; Ganivet, M; Guillet, H; Robillard, A; Stosskopf, F [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Cadarache (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1968-07-01

This report is the first in a series of three describing the processes, results and peculiar technical problems related to the manufacture of the first core of the fast reactor Rapsodie. A detailed study of manufacturing processes(pellets, pins, fissile sub-assemblies), the associated testings (raw materials, processed pellets and pins, sub-assemblies before delivery), manufacturing facilities and improvements for a second campaign are described. (author) [French] Ce rapport est le premier d'une serie de trois qui decrivent les procedes, les resultats et les problemes techniques particuliers de la fabrication du du premier coeur de la pile a neutrons rapides Rapsodie. Il comporte une etude detaillee des procedes de fabrication (pastilles, aiguilles, assemblages combustibles) et des methodes de controle associees (matieres premieres, pastilles et aiguilles en cours de fabrication, assemblages fissiles avant livraison), ainsi qu'une decription complete des installations de l'atelier de fabrication et les modifications apportees pour une deuxieme campagne. (auteur)

Experiments prior to construction of the Rapsodie reactor (1962); Experiences preliminaires a la construction de la pile rapsodie (1962)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vautrey, L; Zaleski, C P [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Cadarache (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1962-07-01

Before proceeding to the construction of the various reactor components described in the paper 'Fast Breeder Reactor Rapsodie', many experimental studies of a hydraulic, thermal and mechanical character have been carried out, or are under consideration, to test the validity of the principles adopted in the Preliminary Project. This paper deals with the most important of these: 1. Studies of coolant circuit components: sodium pumps (mechanical or electromagnetic), Na-NaK and NaK ir heat exchangers, measuring instruments (flow rates, temperatures), sodium purification circuits, etc. 2. Studies in cooling of fuel and fertile assemblies: a) study of the sodium cooling carried out by means of hydraulic mockups (scale of 1: 1 or over) reproducing the flow of the coolant fluid in the piping, upstream from and inside the fuel and fertile elements. b) study of the cooling by gas and by immersion in lead, employed during handling and storage operations. 3. Studies of special reactor devices: fusible rotating linkage, parts of the control rod mechanisms. 4. Study of the reactor block and coolant circuits as a whole. This study is to begin at the end of the year. The mock-up, now nearing completion, reproduces on a scale of 1: 1 the installation provided in the Preliminary Project and includes: the reactor block, to which is connected a high flow ate sodium circuit, permitting of long-term tests and thermal shocks, and also, a control rod testing circuit; complete installation of the 1 MW and 10 MW coolant circuits, the performances of which it will be possible to check under various operational conditions. 5. A safety study carried out on a 3: 10 scale mock p comprising the whole of the reactor block and shielding, with the object of limiting the effects of any accidental liberation of energy of an explosive character. (authors) [French] Avant d'entreprendre la realisation des divers elements du reacteur decrit dans le rapport 'Reacteur rapide surregenerateur RAPSODIE

Study of the dynamic behaviour of the reactor Rapsodie; Etude du comportement dynamique de la pile rapsodie

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Abdon, R; Chaigne, M [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Cadarache (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

It is known that fast neutron breeder reactors pose new problems in the fields of mechanics and heat technology, as well as in respect to their dynamic behaviour and safety. The reactor RAPSODIE has been the object of numerous dynamic studies on analogue and digital computers for two types of fuel (metal and oxide). After elaborating the mathematical models representing the whole of the installation (reactor block and cooling circuit) from the point of view of neutrons as well as thermodynamics, the analogue diagrams and digital codes required for simulating incidents, control and stability of the reactor were established. Considerable effort was made to obtain a greater precision than in the usual methods, either by using smaller intervals, or by the use of formulations closer to the real system, or even analytically soluble. The study of incidents was carried out on analog computer for the whole system, and digital computer for the reactor block alone or the installation functioning with a single thermal circuit. A special complementary programme - which so far as we know, was used for the first time here for sodium reactors - which takes into account the behaviour of the reactor beyond the boiling point of sodium was refined on the basis of some simplifying assumptions. The investigation of incidents has served to determine: - The intrinsic safety of the reactor, i.e. its behaviour-under accident conditions without the intervention of the safety systems; - The behaviour of the installation under normal accident conditions, i.e. with the safety systems functioning, and the definition and organisation of the latter ; - the comparison of the two versions investigated (metal or oxide fuel) for the choice of the first loading of the reactor; - the determination of thermal shocks (amplitudes and gradients suffered by the structures during probable incidents) to be used in the test on the full-scale model of the reactor. The stability tests were carried out digitally

Report transparency and nuclear safety 2007 CEA Cadarache; Rapport transparence et securite nucleaire 2007 CEA Cadarache

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2007-07-01

This report presents the activities of the CEA Center of Cadarache for the year 2007. The actions concerning the safety, the radiation protection, the significant events, the release control and the environmental impacts and the wastes stored on the center are discussed. More especially the report discusses the beginning of the RJH reactor construction, the fourth generation reactors research programs, the implementing of la Rotonde the new radioactive wastes management installation, the renovation of the LECA. (A.L.B.)

Earthquakes resistance of the CEA/Cadarache facilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2001-01-01

The Cadarache Center presents three nuclear types installations: experimental reactors, fuel cycle research laboratories, radioactive wastes processing and wastes encapsulation or solidification. The evolution of the standards in the seismic risks domain, led to a new assessment of these installations earthquakes resistance. This report takes stock on the situation at the end of the year 2000. (A.L.B.)

Report transparency and nuclear safety 2007 CEA Cadarache

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2007-01-01

This report presents the activities of the CEA Center of Cadarache for the year 2007. The actions concerning the safety, the radiation protection, the significant events, the release control and the environmental impacts and the wastes stored on the center are discussed. More especially the report discusses the beginning of the RJH reactor construction, the fourth generation reactors research programs, the implementing of la Rotonde the new radioactive wastes management installation, the renovation of the LECA. (A.L.B.)

Reasons of an experimental effort for pebble bed reactors. A program of measurements in the CESAR reactor at Cadarache

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Scherer, W; Bock, H J; Krings, F; Neef, R D; Langlet, G; Dixmier, M; Laponche, B; Morier, F

1972-06-15

An extended experimental program on neutron physics of HTR fuel balls is being performed in the graphite moderated critical faclity CESAR at CEN Cadarache (France). The experiments are done in the frame of a cooperation between KFA Juelich and CEA Cadarache.

Information about the accident occurred near Rapsodie (1994, March 31th)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Marmonier, P.; Del Negro, R.

1997-01-01

On March 31st, 1994, during the cleaning of the residual sodium contained in a tank located in a hall outside the containment building of the RAPSODIE reactor an explosion occurred. One member of the CEA staff was killed and four people were wounded. A commission of inquiry chaired by the CEA General Inspector for Nuclear Safety was set up by the 'Administrateur Generale' of the CEA the day following the accident. This Commission delivered its first conclusions in July 1994. The sodium present in the tank in which the accident occurred comes from the primary cooling circuit of Rapsodie. After the final shutdown of the reactor, in 1982, all 37 metric tons of primary sodium were drained in 1985, then filtered to be purified from most of their radioactive contamination ; the 137 cesium activity, for instance, was reduced to about one hundredth of its original value. Laboratories of the CEA, the chemical industry, the university and the CNRS were involved in the program of global chemical experiments in order to understand the integral phenomena. The follow-up of the program should provide results that will enable the complex phenomena to be quantified and thus clarify the feedback from this accident and the knowledge acquired since that time. The need exists to maintain the suspension of the implementation of ethylcarbitol cleaning until definite conclusions have been drawn from both the present and future studies

Manufacture of the second core of Rapsodie - Type 2 A - Fortissimo version

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mandicourt, Louis

1977-11-01

This report concerns the fuel manufacturing of the second core of RAPSODIE reactor 2 A type, FORTISSIMO version. This fuel is a mixed oxide of Plutonium and highly enriched Uranium. The manufacturing facility which is used, set starting from 1969, is essentially designed for the production of fuels with high percentage of fissile material. It includes devices having been used to produce the first RAPSODIE fuel and new machines resulting from technological improvements obtained during previous manufactures. The manufacturing process is described after a recall fuel physical characteristics. A final quantitative balance for the whole fabrication is presented. The results obtained on fuel pellets and pins are discussed with starting from the fabrication process and the changes which may have occured or arised from the use of different devices. A more theoretical approach of some particular problems is presented: the multiphasage, the amount of oxygen and the porosities. A general conclusion is given on the main theoretical and technical problems met up to now on the manufacture of nuclear fuel of this type. [fr

Neutron measurements in the core and blankets of the reactor Rapsodie; Mesures neutroniques dans le coeur et les couvertures de Rapsodie

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gourdon, J; Edeline, J C [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, 13 - Cadarache (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1968-07-01

Beside a brief general discussion, the report contains all the core and blanket neutronic measurements. It covers successively the methods, the measurements themselves and the results. The later concern: spectral indexes, axial and radial fission rates, activation foil measurements and neutronic power determination. (authors) [French] Apres une breve description generale de RAPSODIE, le rapport presente l'ensemble des mesures neutroniques faites dans le coeur et les couvertures. Il traite dans l'ordre des methodes, des mesures et enfin des resultats qui concernent: les indices de spectres, les taux de fission axiaux et radiaux, les mesures par detecteurs par activation, la determination de la puissance, neutronique. (auteurs)

The Rapsodie installation - INB 25. Additional safety assessment with respect to the accident which occurred in the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power station

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2012-01-01

After a presentation of some characteristics of the Rapsodie base nuclear installation located in Cadarache (brief description of buildings, radioactive and chemical material inventory, specific risks, and present status), this document reports the identification of cliff-edge effect risks and of critical structures and equipment. Then, it addresses the different risks: earthquake (reference earthquake, installation sizing and compliance issues, margin assessment for the different structures and equipment), external flooding (installation sizing, compliance, and margin assessment in relationship with the different flooding origins), other extreme natural events (extreme meteorological conditions related to flooding, earthquake exceeding the design level), and loss of external or internal electric supplies and of cooling systems. The next parts address severe accident management (risks related to the industrial environment, means and organization for crisis management, exercises and training, robustness of available means), and subcontracting conditions, modalities and practices

Examination in hot laboratories of irradiated fuels from fast reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Clottes, G.; Peray, R.; Ratier, J.L.

1980-05-01

Low irradiation rate examinations were carried out soon after the Rapsodie, Rapsodie Fortissimo and Phenix reactors were started up for the first time in order to check the level of maximum temperatures reached and the radial migration of oxygen and plutonium and to assess the movements of fuels inside the cladding. The other examinations were effected at a high specific burnup in order to defines the limit specific burnup securing the integrity of the fuel pin claddings (distortion, ruptures and possible consequences). The examinations carried out so far on fuel elements coming from Phenix or Rapsodie have allowed good fuel surveillance to be undertaken and the acquisition of a large number of data, thanks to which the fuel characteristics of future reactors of the system have been developed [fr

The development of fast neutron reactors in France

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Petit, J.

1983-01-01

The French strategy is based on a coherent and carefully defined development program launched in 1950, each new stage of which is decided upon after the results of the preceding stage are analyzed. Rapsodie, the forst experimental reactor began operating in 1967 after more than 10 years of full scale test of its components. The in-pile fuel and component behaviour experience gained was put to immediate use for the design and out-of-pile tests of components for Phenix. Phenix is a prototype power generating demonstration reactor which has been operating since 1974. Rapsodie was developed for rigorous and statistical test of fuel behaviour. Super Phenix, the 1200 MWe reactor of the Creys Malville plant was ordered in 1977 and benefited from the 3 years operating experience gained with Phenix and the 10 years of operating experience acquired with Rapsodie. In 1986, after only one year of experience with Super Phenix, it is expected that all the parties involved in the financial and technical aspects of Super Phenix will be in the position to suggest the next stage in the development of large commercial plants to the government. The next reactor in the series, Super Phenix 2, is currently being studied

Study of the regulation of the outlet temperature of Rapsodie end exchangers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fourcade, Christian; Le Bot, Michel

1969-02-01

The authors report a study which is part of general tests on end exchangers of the Rapsodie pile and associated servo-devices. They report an open-loop theoretical study of equipment responses, and the development of transfer functions to determine regulator adjustments, a closed-loop practical study to achieve better adjustments, and a hardware control. The authors present Rapsodie, describe the control process and the transfer function, reports the open loop study, the determination of the transfer function, and the closed loop study, report the analogical study (presentation of the simulator, simulation of the electro-pneumatic converter, of the servo-control and of derivatives), and present and discuss the obtained results

Status of fast reactors and ADS programmes in France in 2001

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Astegiano, J.C.

2002-01-01

Status of French fast reactor and ADS program in France covers the following topics: data on power generation from NPPs; status of fast reactors, namely Rapsodie, Phenix and Super Phenix; research and development programs concerned with fast gas cooled and sodium cooled reactors

Fast neutron breeder reactor Rapsodie - situation of physics, hydraulic, thermal and dynamics studies and studies of stability early in 1963

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1964-01-01

Early in 1963, it was necessary to make a choice among the two fuels examined for Rapsodie: the UPuMo alloy with double cladding, Nb and stainless steel, and the UO 2 -PuO 2 mix oxide. This report presents the results of the studies effected with the two types of fuel. We reconsider at first the different models which have been studied and we give a detailed description of the alloy and oxide cores as they are envisaged early in 1963. We give then the most important physics performances of the two cores: neutron flux and spectrum, reactivity of the compensation find safety rods, neutrons balance, specific power, effective fraction of delayed neutrons, lifetime of the prompt neutrons, reactivity coefficient. We describe the hydraulic studies and experiments which have been done concerning the two cores. We discuss the criteria adopted as basis for the flow calculations. We give the results of pressure drop and sub-assembly lifting, force measurements, and vibration and pin flow distribution experiments. We discuss the constants utilized for the thermal calculations and we give the temperatures of sodium and alloy or oxide fuel, the temperature increases due to the hot points, and the limitation of the oxide fuel burn-up, originated by the pressure of the fission gases. We treat the hypotheses having been utilized for the dynamics calculations and we describe the different accidents which have been studied. We give the results of the calculations for every accident and each fuel, and we show fuel melting or sodium boiling can be avoided, even in case of the most pessimistic hypotheses, by modifying reactor characteristics (shim-rod reactivity or power of the reactor with only one cooling circuit). The reactor stability has been evaluated with the hypotheses utilized for the dynamics calculations, except of the Doppler coefficient which was intentionally increased. We show that the alloy and oxide cores are stable for every envisaged reactor power. (authors) [fr

FBR core mock-up RAPSODIE I - experimental analysis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brochard, D.; Buland, P.; Gantenbein, F.

1990-01-01

The main phenomena which influence the LMFBR core response to a seismic excitation are the fluid structure interaction and the impacts between subassemblies. To study the core behaviour, seismic tests have been performed on the core mock-up RAPSODIE with and without fluid and restraint ring and for different levels of excitation. This paper summarizes the results of these tests. (author)

F.B.R. Core mock-up RAPSODIE - II - numerical models

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brochard, D.; Hammami, L.; Gantenbein, F.

1990-01-01

To study the behaviour of LMFBR cores excited by a seism, tests have been performed on the RAPSODIE core mock-up. The aim of this paper is to present the numerical models used to interprete these tests and the comparisons between calculations and experimental results

Fast reactors bulk sodium coolant disposal NOAH process application

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Magny, E. de; Berte, M.

1997-01-01

Within the frame of the fast reactors decommissioning, the becoming of contaminated sodium coolant from primary, secondary and auxiliary circuits is an important aspect. The 'NOAH' sodium disposal process, developed by the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), is presented as the only process, for destroying large quantities of contaminated sodium, that has attained industrial status. The principles and technical options of the process are described and main advantages such as safety , operating simplicity and compactness of the plant are put forward. The process has been industrially validated in 1993/1994 by successfully reacting the 37 metric tons of primary contaminated sodium from the French Rapsodie experimental reactor. The main outstanding aspects and experience gained from this so called 'DESORA' operation (DEstruction of SOdium from RApsodie) are recalled. Another industrial application concerns the current project for destroying more than 1500 metric tons of contaminated sodium from the British PFR (Prototype Fast Reactor) in Scotland. Although the design is in the continuity of DESORA, it has taken into account the specific requirements of PFR application and the experience feed back from Rapsodie. The main technical options and performances of the PFR sodium reaction unit are presented while mentioning the design evolution. (author)

Theoretical and experimental investigations of the thermo-hydraulics of deformed wire-wrapped bundles in nominal flow conditions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Leteinturier, D.; Cartier, L.

1979-01-01

Theoretical and experimental studies undertaken in CEN Cadarache on deformed subassemblies are presented. After the mainlines description of this program first temperature distribution results are given on an in-pile experiment in RAPSODIE (61 pins). Comparison with calculation is made

Recent developments in post-irradiation examination techniques for water reactor fuel. Proceedings of a technical committee meeting held in Cadarache, France, 17-21 October 1994

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1995-09-01

At the invitation of the Government of France, following a proposal of the International Working Group on Water Reactor Fuel Performance and Technology (IWGFPT) the IAEA convened a Technical Committee meeting from 14 to 21 October 1994 in Cadarache to discuss recent technical advances and improvements in the field of post-irradiation examination (PIE) of fuel used in nuclear power plants. Fifty participants representing 14 countries attended the meeting and 30 papers were presented and discussed during five technical sessions. Working Groups composed of the session chairmen and authors of papers prepared summaries of each session including conclusions and recommendations for future work. Refs, figs and tabs.

Recent developments in post-irradiation examination techniques for water reactor fuel. Proceedings of a technical committee meeting held in Cadarache, France, 17-21 October 1994

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1995-09-01

At the invitation of the Government of France, following a proposal of the International Working Group on Water Reactor Fuel Performance and Technology (IWGFPT) the IAEA convened a Technical Committee meeting from 14 to 21 October 1994 in Cadarache to discuss recent technical advances and improvements in the field of post-irradiation examination (PIE) of fuel used in nuclear power plants. Fifty participants representing 14 countries attended the meeting and 30 papers were presented and discussed during five technical sessions. Working Groups composed of the session chairmen and authors of papers prepared summaries of each session including conclusions and recommendations for future work. Refs, figs and tabs

Dose assessment for Greifswald and Cadarache

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Raskob, W.

1996-07-01

Probabilistic dose assessments for accidental atmospheric releases of tritium and activation products as well as releases under normal operation conditions were performed for the sites of Greifswald, Germany, and Cadarache, France. Additionally, aquatic releases were considered for both sites. No country specific rules were applied and the input parameters were adapted as far as possible to those used within former ITER studies to have a better comparison to site independent dose assessments performed in the frame of ITER. The main goal was to complete the generic data base with site specific values. The agreement between the results from the ITER study on atmospheric releases and the two sites are rather good for tritium, whereas the ITER reference dose values for the activation product releases are often lower, than the maximum doses for Greifswald and Cadarache. However, the percentile values fit better to the deterministic approach of ITER. Within all scenarios, the consequences of aquatic releases are in nearly all cases smaller than those from comparable releases to the atmosphere (HTO and steel). This rule is only broken once in case of accidental releases of activated steel from Cadarache. However, the uncertainties associated with the aquatic assessments are rather high and a better data base is needed to obtain more realistic and thus more reliable dose values. (orig.) [de

Study of the seismic behaviour of the fast reactor cores

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cerqueira, E.

1998-01-01

This work studies the seismic behaviour of fast neutrons reactor cores. It consists in analyzing the tests made on the models Rapsodie and Symphony by using the calculation code Castem 2000. Te difficulty is in the description of connections of the system and the effects of the fluid (calculation in water). The results for the programme Rapsodie are near the experimental results. For the programme Symphony, the calculations in air have allowed to represent the behaviour of fuel assemblies in a satisfying way. It is still to analyze the tests Symphony in water. (N.C.)

F.B.R. Core mock-up RAPSODIE- I: Experimental analysis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brochard, D.; Buland, P.; Gantenbein, F.

1990-01-01

The main phenomena which influence the LMFBR core response to a seismic excitation are the fluid structure interaction and the impacts between subassemblies. To study the core behaviour, seismic tests have been performed on the core mock-up RAPSODIE with or without fluid and restraint ring and for different levels of excitation. This paper summarizes the results of these tests

Radioisotopes in the primary circuit of a fast reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Berlin, M.; Cauvin, M.

1976-01-01

In the frame of the research performed to understand the behaviour of the radioactive isotopes of iodine in the primary coolant circuit of fast reactor, a simple theoretical model is proposed. Results concerning PHENIX and RAPSODIE are given

Operating experience of RAPSODIE and PHENIX relating to sodium aerosols and vapours

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Delisle, J P; Reboul, M; Elie, X [DRNR/STRS - Centre de Cadarache, Saint-Paul-lez-Durance (France)

1977-01-01

The main difficulties resulting from sodium aerosols and vapours in the cover gas which have been encountered for 10 years in RAPSODIE and for 3 years in PHENIX are reviewed: condensation of sodium in annular spaces; plugging in primary gas pipes; plugging of filters and vapour traps. All those problems were easily overcome. (author)

Developments in the management of low and intermediate activity solid wastes at the Cadarache Centre

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Barbreau, A.; Marcaillou, J.; Mery, J.; Pinto, D.; Rancon, D.

1975-01-01

The Cadarache Nuclear Studies Centre is located in a thinly populated region. Covering a total area of 1600 hectares, it has been able to accommodate numerous and important research facilities. In 1970, 11 reactors or critical assemblies were in operation. More than 164000 m 2 are devoted to laboratories, testing areas, installations for the inspection of irradiated fuel elements and plutonium technology workshops. Up to 1968 the low- and intermediate-activity solid wastes (categories 1, 2 and 30) collected at the Centre were divided into two classes for disposal purposes: (a) burnable wastes which, after sorting, were destroyed in an incinerator; (b) compressible wastes which were compacted in concrete containers after recovery of the packing, by means of a 250-ton press. The situation at Cadarache and the results obtained in hydrogeological studies have prompted the Centre to improve the processing of these wastes and reduce the cost. The treatment of solid wastes should, in effect, be regarded as a step towards their final elimination. The measure envisaged at Cadarache were thus aimed at permitting final storage on site, in order to reduce the volume of waste, contain the activity and keep the cost to a minimum. The management of solid wastes is at present based on the following methods: (a) storage in trenches with PVC packing for non-burnable solid wastes of categories 1 and 4, after monitoring of specific activities; (b) compacting and storage in leak-proof pools for solid wastes of categories 2 and 3, the most highly active undergoing a period of decay storage beforehand; (c) incineration of burnable solid wastes of categories 1 and 2 and also of contaminated oils and solvents. (author)

Some aspects of sodium technology issued from the operating experience of RAPSODIE and PHENIX

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kremser, J.; Lacroix, A.

1976-01-01

This paper deals with the experience on sodium technology gained from RAPSODIE and PHENIX operation. Problems encountered with sodium circuits, main components, handling equipment and instrumentation are discussed. Some information related to the contamination by radioactive products of sodium and sodium circuits is given

The experimental program of neutronphysics for advanced water reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Martin-Deider, L.; Cathalu, S.; Santamarina, A.; Gomit, M.

1985-11-01

The C.E.A. and E.D.F. has jointly undertaken a program of experimental studies on under-moderated water lattices, with mixed oxide fuel UO 2 -PuO 2 . Undermoderated lattices offer high conversion ratios. This type of lattice could limit in the future the natural uranium consumption of pressurized water reactors. This experimental program is aimed at qualifying neutron transport calculations in a large range of moderating ratio (between 0.5 and 1.5). It includes three experiments: ERASME, a critical experiment of large size in the EOLE reactor at Cadarache; ICARE, an irradiation experiment in the MELUSINE reactor at Grenoble; and an experiment to measure the reactivity effects by oscillations in the MINERVE reactor at Cadarache [fr

Boron carbide in pile behaviour Rapsodie experience

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kryger, B.; Colin, M.

1983-04-01

Results concerning boron carbide irradiation experiments performed in RAPSODIE up to 10 22 .cm - 3 capture density in the temperature range 600-1100 0 lead to the following main conclusions: initial density and grain size lowering contribute to swelling decrease but density is the major parameter for swelling limitation; swelling rate can vary in a wide range (ratio 1 to 3) according to combinations of density (1.8 to 2.3) and grain size (10 to 50 μm) values; a swelling balance reveals that the most important contribution to swelling should be a high density of helium small bubbles (<400 A); helium retention increases with density and grain size and decreases with temperature elevation. A diffusion law is proposed to describe the rate of helium release

The development of fast reactors in France from March 1980 to March 1981; Le developpement des reacteurs a neutrons rapides en France de mars 1980 a mars 1981

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vautrey, L. [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, CEN de Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette (France)

1981-05-15

This paper describes general features concerning development in the field of fast reactors in France from March 1980 to March 1981. It concentrates mainly on: Rapsodie, Phenix NPP, prototype reactor Super Phenix 1, future fast reactor NPPs and current research and development programs in the field. The present situation is as follows. Rapsodie has restarted operation but at reduced power in July 1980 because of the problems in the primary circuit which have not yet been solved. Phenic operates in a very satisfactory manner. Construction of Super Phenix is continuing normally. Research activities are performed sometimes for the needs of Super Phenix and sometimes for the needs of future fast rector projects like Super Phenix 2. International cooperation is being continued.

Shutdown channels and fitted interlocks in atomic reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Furet, J.; Landauer, C.

1968-01-01

This catalogue consists of tables (one per reactor) giving the following information: number and type of detectors, range of the shutdown channels, nature of the associated electronics, thresholds setting off the alarms, fitted interlocks. These cards have been drawn up with a view to an examination of the reactors safety by the 'Reactor Safety Sub-Commission', they take into account the latest decisions. The reactors involved in this review are: Azur, Cabri, Castor-Pollux, Cesar-Marius-2, Edf-2, EL3, EL4, Eole, G1, G2-G3, Harmonie, Isis, Masurca, Melusine, Minerve, Osiris, Pegase, Peggy, PAT, Rapsodie, SENA, Siloe, Siloette, Triton-Nereide, and Ulysse. (authors) [fr

2009 transparency and nuclear safety report. CEA Cadarache. Volumes 1 + 2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2009-01-01

After a general presentation of the Cadarache site and of its nuclear installations, the first volume of this report describes the various measures concerning the site safety (safety organisation, general measures, measures related to various risks, inspections, control of emergency situations, audits and second level control, measures in basic nuclear installations) and radioprotection (organisation, significant facts, dosimeter results). It describes significant events which occurred in relationship with nuclear safety and radioprotection, presents results of measurements of releases and of their impact on the environment (chemical and radiological assessment). Then after a description of measures to limit the volume of stored radioactive wastes and their impact on health and on the environment, tables indicate the nature and quantities of wastes which are stored in the different basic nuclear installations of Cadarache. The second volume proposes the same information for two specific nuclear installations belonging to Areva and located in Cadarache, the INB 32 and 54 (INB stands for basic nuclear installation) for which a significant event occurred on the 6 October 2009. For these installations, release measurements concern gaseous and liquid releases

Second IAEA advisory group meeting on transactinium isotope nuclear data, CEN Cadarache, France, 2-5 May 1979

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lorenz, A.

1979-09-01

The Second Advisory Group Meeting on Transactinium Isotope Nuclear Data was convened by the IAEA Nuclear Data Section at the CEA Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires at Cadarache, France, from 2-5 May 1979. The meeting was attended by 37 representatives from 10 Member States and 2 international organizations. The main objectives of this meeting were to assess the transactinium nuclear data (TND) requirements for nuclear fission reactors and fuel cycles, with emphasis on new trends in nuclear technology, and to review the status of the required TND in the light of new measurements, calculations and evaluations. (author)

Integral measurement of fission products capture in fast breeder reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Martin Deidier, Loick.

1979-12-01

For the SUPERPHENIX reactor project, it was necessary to know fission products capture with about 10% accuracy in the fast breeder reactor spectra. In this purpose, integral measurements have been carried out on the main separated products by different experimental technics (oscillation, activation and irradiation methods), but particularly on irradiated fuel pins from RAPSODIE and PHENIX reactors in order to directly obtain total effect of fission products. Same tendencies have been observed for both enriched uranium fuel and LMFBR characteristic plutonium fuel. All experimental results have been introduced in CARNAVAL cross section set [fr

French development program on fuel cycle

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Viala, M.; Bourgeois, M.

1991-01-01

The need to close the fuel cycle of fast reactors makes the development of the cycle installations (fuel fabrication, irradiated assembly conditioning before reprocessing, reprocessing and waste management) especially independent with the development of the reactor. French experience with the integrated cycle over a period of about 25 years, the tonnage of fuels fabricated (more than 100 t of mixed oxides) for the Rapsodie, Phoenix and SuperPhoenix reactors, and the tonnage of reprocessed fuel (nearly 30 t of plutonium fuel) demonstrate the control of the cycle operations. The capacities of the cycle installations in existence and under construction are largely adequate for presents needs, even including a new European EFR reactor. They include the Cadarache fuel fabrication complex, the La Hague UP2-800 reprocessing plant, and the Marcoule pilot facility. Short- and medium-term R and D programs are connected with fuel developments, with the primary objective of very high burnups. For the longer term and for a specific plant to reprocess fast reactor fuels, the programs could concern new fabrication and reprocessing systems and the study of the consequences of the reduction in fuel out-of-core time

Teaching Sodium Fast Reactors in CEA-INSTN

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dufour, Ph.; Latgé, C.; Gicquel, L.

2013-01-01

Conclusion: Education and Training: - a key element for the future of the development of Sodium Fast Reactors, and more particularly ASTRID project. - a tool to create a new generation of skilled nuclear engineers in the field. - a unique mean to share basic knowledge, operational feedback, safety approaches. The two entities aimed to deliver Training sessions, i.e. Sodium School in Cadarache, and INSTN-Cadarache, are ready: - to conceive and propose tailored sessions, - to collaborate with other foreign Education and Training Entities

Fast neutron breeder reactor Rapsodie - situation of physics, hydraulic, thermal and dynamics studies and studies of stability early in 1963; Pile rapide rapsodie - point des etudes neutroniques, hydrauliques, thermiques et dynamiques et des etudes de stabilite au debut de l'annee 1963

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1964-07-01

Early in 1963, it was necessary to make a choice among the two fuels examined for Rapsodie: the UPuMo alloy with double cladding, Nb and stainless steel, and the UO{sub 2}-PuO{sub 2} mix oxide. This report presents the results of the studies effected with the two types of fuel. We reconsider at first the different models which have been studied and we give a detailed description of the alloy and oxide cores as they are envisaged early in 1963. We give then the most important physics performances of the two cores: neutron flux and spectrum, reactivity of the compensation find safety rods, neutrons balance, specific power, effective fraction of delayed neutrons, lifetime of the prompt neutrons, reactivity coefficient. We describe the hydraulic studies and experiments which have been done concerning the two cores. We discuss the criteria adopted as basis for the flow calculations. We give the results of pressure drop and sub-assembly lifting, force measurements, and vibration and pin flow distribution experiments. We discuss the constants utilized for the thermal calculations and we give the temperatures of sodium and alloy or oxide fuel, the temperature increases due to the hot points, and the limitation of the oxide fuel burn-up, originated by the pressure of the fission gases. We treat the hypotheses having been utilized for the dynamics calculations and we describe the different accidents which have been studied. We give the results of the calculations for every accident and each fuel, and we show fuel melting or sodium boiling can be avoided, even in case of the most pessimistic hypotheses, by modifying reactor characteristics (shim-rod reactivity or power of the reactor with only one cooling circuit). The reactor stability has been evaluated with the hypotheses utilized for the dynamics calculations, except of the Doppler coefficient which was intentionally increased. We show that the alloy and oxide cores are stable for every envisaged reactor power. (authors

Towards commercial fast breeder reactors the first 1200 MWe unit

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Banal, M.; Carle, R.

The public probably thinks of these fast breeder reactors in terms of their rising unit capacity: RAPSODIE 20 MW (thermal), raised to 40 MW, PHENIX 25 MWe, and now 1200 MWe. However, the purposes of the project and the framework of construction have been fundamentally different in each case. Design parameters and the development program of the LMFBR are presented. (auth)

the JHR Material Testing Reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Roure, C.; Cornu, B.; Berthet, B.; Simon, E.; Estre, N.; Guimbal, P.; Kinnunen, P.; Kotiluoto, P.

2013-06-01

The Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR) is a European experimental reactor under construction in CEA Cadarache. It will be dedicated to material and fuel irradiation tests, and to medical isotopes production. Non-Destructive nuclear Examinations systems (NDE) will be implemented in pools to analyse the irradiated fuel or tested material in their supporting experimental irradiation devices extracted from the core or its immediate periphery. The Nuclear Measurement Laboratory (NML) of CEA Cadarache is working in collaboration with VTT (Technical Research Centre in Finland) in designing and developing NDE systems implementing gamma-ray spectroscopy and high energy X-ray imaging of the sample and irradiation device. CEA is also designing a neutron radiography system for which NML is working on the detection system. Design studies are performed with Monte Carlo transport codes and specific simulation tools developed by the NML for Xray and neutron imaging. (authors)

Development of French programme on fast reactors, from March 1976 to March 1977

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vautrey, L.

1977-01-01

The following milestones of the French LMFBR programme are reported: RAPSODIE (irradiation experiments in order to study the behaviour of the different fuel components of a sodium cooled fast reactor); PHENIX (the burn-up of the first core has reached the nominal value of 50,000MWD/T); SUPER-PHENIX (status of construction)

Relevance of passive safety testing at the fast flux test facility to advanced liquid metal reactors - 5127

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wootan, D.W.; Omberg, R.P.

2015-01-01

Significant cost and safety improvements can be realized in advanced liquid metal reactor (LMR) designs by emphasizing inherent or passive safety through crediting the beneficial reactivity feedbacks associated with core and structural movement. This passive safety approach was adopted for the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF), and an experimental program was conducted to characterize the structural reactivity feedback. Testing at the Rapsodie and EBR-II reactors had demonstrated the beneficial effect of reactivity feedback caused by changes in fuel temperature and core geometry mechanisms in a liquid metal fast reactor in a holistic sense. The FFTF passive safety testing program was developed to examine how specific design elements influenced dynamic reactivity feedback in response to a reactivity input and to demonstrate the scalability of reactivity feedback results from smaller cores like Rapsodie and EBR-II to reactor cores that were more prototypic in scale to reactors of current interest. The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy Advanced Reactor Technology program is in the process of preserving, protecting, securing, and placing in electronic format information and data from the FFTF, including the core configurations and data collected during the passive safety tests. Evaluation of these actual test data could provide insight to improve analytical methods which may be used to support future licensing applications for LMRs. (authors)

Overview of the fast reactors fuels program

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Evans, E.A.; Cox, C.M.; Hayward, B.R.; Rice, L.H.; Yoshikawa, H.H.

1980-04-01

Each nation involved in LMFBR development has its unique energy strategies which consider energy growth projections, uranium resources, capital costs, and plant operational requirements. Common to all of these strategies is a history of fast reactor experience which dates back to the days of the Manhatten Project and includes the CLEMENTINE Reactor, which generated a few watts, LAMPRE, EBR-I, EBR-II, FERMI, SEFOR, FFTF, BR-1, -2, -5, -10, BOR-60, BN-350, BN-600, JOYO, RAPSODIE, Phenix, KNK-II, DFR, and PFR. Fast reactors under design or construction include PEC, CRBR, SuperPhenix, SNR-300, MONJU, and Madras (India). The parallel fuels and materials evolution has fully supported this reactor development. It has involved cermets, molten plutonium alloy, plutonium oxide, uranium metal or alloy, uranium oxide, and mixed uranium-plutonium oxides and carbides

2007 transparency and nuclear safety report. CEA Cadarache. Volumes 1 + 2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2007-01-01

After a general presentation of the Cadarache site and of its nuclear installations, the first volume of this report describes the various measures concerning the site safety: safety organisation, general measures, measures related to various risks, control of emergency situations, inspections, audits and second level control, measures in basic nuclear installations. It describes the measures concerning the radioprotection on this site: organisation, significant facts, and dose measurement results. It describes significant events which occurred in relationship with nuclear safety and radioprotection, presents results of release measurements and of radiological and chemical assessments of the impact these releases on the environment. The report then describes measures implemented to limit the volume of stored radioactive wastes and also their impact on health and on the environment. It provides a series of tables indicating the nature and quantities of wastes which are stored in the different basic nuclear installations of Cadarache. It reports the recommendations expressed by the CHSCT (committee on hygiene, security and working conditions) after the 2006 report. The second volume proposes the same information for two specific nuclear installations belonging to Areva and located in Cadarache, the INB 32 and 54 (INB stands for basic nuclear installation), for which the significant events occurred on the 13. of March and on the 25. of May 2007. For these installations, release measurements concern gaseous and liquid releases

The giant superconducting magnet system of 10,000 tons mass for fusion experiment at Cadarache, France

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sahu, A.K.

2013-01-01

The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) being built at Cadarache, France has many unique features and is one of the biggest scientific adventures in the history of science and technology. Seven partners (India, EU, US, China, Japan, Korea and Russia) have made an International Organization situated at Cadarache, France to provide direction and co-ordination for R and D and construction of this project. The R and D labs and manufacturing industries are spread in these seven partner countries. Components manufactured in these countries will be transported to Cadarache in France for assembly. Institute for Plasma Research, Bhat, Gandhinagar, Gujarat is coordinating this project activities on behalf of India. The magnet system, required for confinement and control of plasma leading to fusion reaction in ITER is one of the key systems of this project. There are 18 TF (Toroidal Field) Coils, 6 PF (Poloidal Field) coils, 6 CS (Central Solenoid) coils and 18 correction coils (CC), all of which are of superconducting type. All TF and CS coils have Nb3Sn superconductor and all PF and CC coils have NbTi superconductor. Each TF coil has height 15 m and width 9 m and 330 tons mass. The biggest PF coil has diameter 24 m and 300 tons mass. The total mass of these superconducting magnet systems is about 10000 tons. Use of Nb3Sn superconductor for manufacturing superconducting cables for successful use had not reached a matured stage earlier and this project gave a thrust for significant R and D activities worldwide and now due to this project, it is a matured and reliable technology. The jacketing and manufacturing of long cables need up to about 760 m long special infrastructure at Industry. The special building built for PF coil winding at ITER, Cadarache site is of size 250 m X 45 m. All these coils are made using cable-in-conduit conductors (CICC). These long CICCs have to carry current as high as 68 kA in case of TF coils. Due to this high current and

Fast neutron capture cross section facility at Cadarache

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Le Rigoleur, C.; Arnaud, A.

1975-01-01

The total energy weighting technique has been applied to measure absolute fast neutron capture cross section at Cadarache. We use a non hydrogeneous liquid scintillator to detect the gamma from the cascade. The neutron flux is measured with a B 10 INa(Tl) detector or Li 6 glass scintillator of well known efficiency. Time of flight technique is used with on line digital computer data processing. (orig.) [de

Use of research reactors for training and teaching nuclear sciences

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Safieh, J.; Gless, B.

2002-01-01

Training activities on reactors are organized by Cea on 2 specially dedicated reactors Ulysse (Saclay) and Siloette (Grenoble) and 2 research reactors Minerve (Cadarache) and Azur (Cadarache, facility managed by Technicatome). About 4000 students have been trained on Ulysse since its commissioning more than 40 years ago. The concept that led to the design of Ulysse was to build a true reactor dedicated to teaching and training activities and that was able to operate with great flexibility and under high conditions of safety, this reactor is inspired from the Argonaut-type reactor. The main specificities of Ulysse are: a nominal power of 100 kW, a maximal thermal neutron flux of 1.4 10 12 n.cm -2 .s -1 , a 90 % enriched fuel, a graphite reflector, the use of water as coolant and moderator, and 6 cadmium plates as control rods. Ulysse allows students to get practical experience on a large range of topics: approach to criticality, effect of the starting neutron source, calibration of control rods, distribution of the neutron flux in the thermal column, temperature coefficient, radiation detectors, neutron activation analysis, and radioprotection. (A.C.)

Overview of the fast reactors fuels program. [LMFBR

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Evans, E.A.; Cox, C.M.; Hayward, B.R.; Rice, L.H.; Yoshikawa, H.H.

1980-04-01

Each nation involved in LMFBR development has its unique energy strategies which consider energy growth projections, uranium resources, capital costs, and plant operational requirements. Common to all of these strategies is a history of fast reactor experience which dates back to the days of the Manhatten Project and includes the CLEMENTINE Reactor, which generated a few watts, LAMPRE, EBR-I, EBR-II, FERMI, SEFOR, FFTF, BR-1, -2, -5, -10, BOR-60, BN-350, BN-600, JOYO, RAPSODIE, Phenix, KNK-II, DFR, and PFR. Fast reactors under design or construction include PEC, CRBR, SuperPhenix, SNR-300, MONJU, and Madras (India). The parallel fuels and materials evolution has fully supported this reactor development. It has involved cermets, molten plutonium alloy, plutonium oxide, uranium metal or alloy, uranium oxide, and mixed uranium-plutonium oxides and carbides.

Radiation protection at the Cadarache research center

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

2015-01-01

This article recalls the French law about radiation protection and its evolution due to the implementation of the 2013/59-EURATOM directive that separates the missions of counsel from the more operative missions of the person appointed as 'competent in radiation protection'. The organisation of the radiation protection of the Cadarache research center is presented. The issue of sub-contracting and the respect of an adequate standard of radioprotection is detailed since 2 facilities operated by AREVA are being dismantled on the site. (A.C.)

French approach in fuel pin modelling for fast reactors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pascard, R [CEA-Centre de Fontenay-aux-Roses, Fontenay-aux-Roses (France)

1979-12-01

The purpose of this paper is to present the general philosophy on the problem of fuel modelling now prevailing in France after a twelve years period of tremendously increasing knowledge on fuel behavior. When the Rapsodie fuel pin was designed in 1962 , little was known about the behavior of a mixed oxide fuel pin under fast flux ; but a large body of knowledge on UO{sub 2} behavior in thermal reactor was available together with some sparse irradiation results on (U Pu)O{sub 2} in French experimental reactors. The performances assigned to the pin were then rather modest in rating (400 w/cm) and in burnup (30,000 MWd/t). The AISI 316 steel in solution annealed state was chosen as cladding material. The clad itself was supposed to deform by thermal creep due to fission gas pressure (100% release), and was affected consequently by a strain limit criteria. The importance of clad temperature ({approx}650 deg.) was considered only in connection with thermal creep, the possibility of a chemical reaction between mixed oxide and clad being at that time hardly suspected. Rapsodie had only been at full power for a few months when appeared the evidence of stainless steel swelling under a fast neutrons flux. This swelling was observed on Rapsodie pins as soon as they experienced sufficient neutrons dose, roughly one year later. This entirely new problem came immediately in the front stage (and is still of major importance today), and was at the origin of the change from the Rapsodie to the Fortissimo core in order to accelerate materials testing versus void swelling by multiplying the flux by a factor two. Even with unforeseen swelling, the design of the Rapsodie and later on Fortissimo pin, allowed not only to reach the goal burnup, but to increase it steadily to roughly 100,000 MWd/t. Since then, the French approach in fuel pin design has still retained something of its original simplicity, and technological efficiency, attitude which is justified by the following

Research reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Merchie, Francois

2015-10-01

This article proposes an overview of research reactors, i.e. nuclear reactors of less than 100 MW. Generally, these reactors are used as neutron generators for basic research in matter sciences and for technological research as a support to power reactors. The author proposes an overview of the general design of research reactors in terms of core size, of number of fissions, of neutron flow, of neutron space distribution. He outlines that this design is a compromise between a compact enough core, a sufficient experiment volume, and high enough power densities without affecting neutron performance or its experimental use. The author evokes the safety framework (same regulations as for power reactors, more constraining measures after Fukushima, international bodies). He presents the main characteristics and operation of the two families which represent almost all research reactors; firstly, heavy water reactors (photos, drawings and figures illustrate different examples); and secondly light water moderated and cooled reactors with a distinction between open core pool reactors like Melusine and Triton, pool reactors with containment, experimental fast breeder reactors (Rapsodie, the Russian BOR 60, the Chinese CEFR). The author describes the main uses of research reactors: basic research, applied and technological research, safety tests, production of radio-isotopes for medicine and industry, analysis of elements present under the form of traces at very low concentrations, non destructive testing, doping of silicon mono-crystalline ingots. The author then discusses the relationship between research reactors and non proliferation, and finally evokes perspectives (decrease of the number of research reactors in the world, the Jules Horowitz project)

Chemical surveillance of commercial fast breeder reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stamm, H.H.; Stade, K.Ch.

1988-01-01

After BN-600 (USSR) and SUPERPHENIX (France) were started succesfully, the international development of LMFBRs is standing at the doorstep of commercial use. For commercial use of LMFBRs cost reductions for construction and operation are highly desirable and necessary. Several nations developing breeder reactors have joined in a common effort in order to reach this aim by standardization and harmonization. On the base of more than 20 years of operation experience of experimental reactors (EBR-II, FFTF, RAPSODIE, DFR, BR-5/BR-10, BOR-60, JOYO, KNK-II) and demonstration plants (PHENIX, PFR, BN-350), possibilities for standardization in chemical surveillance of commercial breeder reactors without any loss of availability, reliability and reactor safety will be discussed in the following chapters. Loop-type reactors will be considered as well as pool-type reactors, although all commercial plants under consideration so far (SUPERPHENIX II, BN-800, BN-1600, CFBR, SNR-2, EFR) include pool-type reactors only. Table 1 gives a comparison of the Na inventories of test reactors, prototype plants and commercial LMFBRs

Enriched uranium workshops towards decommissioning CEA Cadarache

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lisbonne, P.; Seisson, D.

2008-01-01

The author presents the post operational clean-out following the shut down of the ATUE nuclear facility implemented in the Cadarache research Center (France) and preceding the dismantling operations. ATUE was constructed in 1965, in the support of the fuel cycle industry, to develop the dry process of UF 6 to UO 2 conversion and the wet process with step of nitric acid solution, solvent purification by exchange columns, ammonium precipitation and hydrogen reduction. The dismantling organization, methods and technology are also presented and discussed. In a last part the author highlights some important points of the project. (A.L.B.)

Seismic risk and safety of nuclear installations. A look at the Cadarache Centre

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Verrhiest-Leblanc, G.; Chevallier, A.

2010-01-01

After a brief recall of some important seismic events which occurred in the past in the south-eastern part of France, the authors indicate the nuclear installations present in this region. They outline the difference between requirements for a usual building and for basic nuclear installations. They indicate laws and regulations which are to be applied to these installations like to any hazardous industrial installation. They describe the seismic risk as it has been determined for the Cadarache area, and evoke the para-seismic design of new nuclear installations which are to be built in Cadarache and actions for a para-seismic reinforcement of existing constructions. Finally, they evoke organisational aspects (emergency plans) and the approach for a better information and transparency about the seismic risk

Shutdown channels and fitted interlocks in atomic reactors; Chaines de securite et verrouillages installes sur les piles atomiques

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Furet, J; Landauer, C [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1968-07-01

This catalogue consists of tables (one per reactor) giving the following information: number and type of detectors, range of the shutdown channels, nature of the associated electronics, thresholds setting off the alarms, fitted interlocks. These cards have been drawn up with a view to an examination of the reactors safety by the 'Reactor Safety Sub-Commission', they take into account the latest decisions. The reactors involved in this review are: Azur, Cabri, Castor-Pollux, Cesar-Marius-2, Edf-2, EL3, EL4, Eole, G1, G2-G3, Harmonie, Isis, Masurca, Melusine, Minerve, Osiris, Pegase, Peggy, PAT, Rapsodie, SENA, Siloe, Siloette, Triton-Nereide, and Ulysse. (authors) [French] Ce catalogue est compose d'un ensemble de tableaux (a raison de un tableau par pile) donnant les renseignements suivants: nombre et nature des detecteurs, dynamique des chaines, nature de l'electronique associee, seuils provoquant des actions de securite, verrouillages installes. Ces fiches ont ete etablies en vue de l'examen de la securite des piles par la 'Sous-Commission de Surete des Piles', et tiennent compte des decisions de celle-ci. Les reacteurs concernes sont: Azur, Cabri, Cator-Pollux, Cesar-Marius-2, Edf-2, EL3, EL4, Eole, G1, G2-G3, Harmonie, Isis, Masurca, Melusine, Minerve, Osiris, Pegase, Peggy, PAT, Rapsodie, SENA, Siloe, Siloette, Triton-Nereide, et Ulysse. (auteurs)

Environmental monitoring and independent analysis: the experience of the local information commission in Cadarache

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Foucher, M.

2010-01-01

The 2006 Act on 'Open Access to Information and Nuclear Safety' provides free access to nuclear installations data and submits nuclear facilities to an independent administrative authority, the ASN (French Nuclear Safety Authority). A local information committee (CLI - Commission locale d'informations) has been set up for each nuclear facility. It includes all the parties involved and may commission expert studies and environmental measurement tests from independent laboratories. Prompted by environmental organizations, the Cadarache CLI commissioned a CRIIRAD (Commission de Recherche et d'Informations Independantes sur la Radioactivite) fact-finding survey in 2008-2009 to evaluate the environmental impact of the CEA/Cadarache installations since they were created. This study points to a moderate present impact, though a lack of data makes it impossible to reconstruct environmental impact prior to 1979. A set of guidelines are put forward to assess the past impact in greater detail and to lessen the current impact even further. Following this study, additional steps to minimize this impact will be taken by CEA/Cadarache inside the facilities, and by the relevant LCI outside the installations. Developing independent expert skills is a major challenge for CLIs to gain better knowledge of nuclear activities and improve their local management. (author)

Safety tests carried out at Cadarache. Sodium fires

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fruchard, M.

1976-01-01

Safety test on sodium fires developed at the Cadarache Nuclear Centre by the Department of Nuclear Safety, section of safety experiments on radioactivity transfer are conducted in two main directions: analysis of the behavior and thermodynamic consequences of accidental fires, working on the basis of typical experimental results; research and development of methods and equipment to control and if possible extinguish these fires. The most important part of this programme is concerned with the sodium pool fires which would result from the failure of a secondary coolant circuit pipe [fr

An Information Building on Radioactivity and Nuclear Energy for the French CEA Cadarache Research Center - 13492

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Brunel, Guy; Denis, Dominique; Boulet, Alain [Commissariat a l' energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives - CEA-Cadarache, DEN/CEACAD/UCAP, 13108 Saint Paul lez Durance Cedex (France)

2013-07-01

The CEA Cadarache research center is one of the 10 research centers of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). Distributed throughout various research platforms, it focuses on nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, new energy technologies (hydrogen, solar, biomass) and fundamental research in the field of vegetal biology. It is the most important technological research and development centers for energy in Europe. Considering the sensitive nature of nuclear activities, the questions surrounding the issue of radioactive waste, the nuclear energy and the social, economic and environmental concerns for present and future generations, the French Government asked nuclear actors to open communication and to give all the information asked by the Local Information Commission (CLI) and the public [1]. In this context, the CEA Cadarache has decided to better show and explain its expertise and experience in the area of nuclear energy and nuclear power plant design, and to make it available to stakeholders and to the public. CEA Cadarache receives each year more than 9000 visitors. To complete technical visits of the research facilities and laboratories, a scientific cultural center has been built in 2011 to inform the public on CEA Cadarache research activities and to facilitate the acceptance of nuclear energy in a way suited to the level of knowledge of the visitors. A modern interactive exhibition of 150 m{sup 2} allows visitors to find out more about energy, CEA Cadarache research programs, radioactive waste management and radiological impact on the research center activities. It also offers an auditorium for group discussions and for school groups to discover science through enjoyment. This communication center has received several thousand visitors since its opening on October 2011; the initial results of this experience are now available. It's possible to explain the design of this exhibition, to give some statistics on the number of the

An Information Building on Radioactivity and Nuclear Energy for the French CEA Cadarache Research Center - 13492

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brunel, Guy; Denis, Dominique; Boulet, Alain

2013-01-01

The CEA Cadarache research center is one of the 10 research centers of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). Distributed throughout various research platforms, it focuses on nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, new energy technologies (hydrogen, solar, biomass) and fundamental research in the field of vegetal biology. It is the most important technological research and development centers for energy in Europe. Considering the sensitive nature of nuclear activities, the questions surrounding the issue of radioactive waste, the nuclear energy and the social, economic and environmental concerns for present and future generations, the French Government asked nuclear actors to open communication and to give all the information asked by the Local Information Commission (CLI) and the public [1]. In this context, the CEA Cadarache has decided to better show and explain its expertise and experience in the area of nuclear energy and nuclear power plant design, and to make it available to stakeholders and to the public. CEA Cadarache receives each year more than 9000 visitors. To complete technical visits of the research facilities and laboratories, a scientific cultural center has been built in 2011 to inform the public on CEA Cadarache research activities and to facilitate the acceptance of nuclear energy in a way suited to the level of knowledge of the visitors. A modern interactive exhibition of 150 m 2 allows visitors to find out more about energy, CEA Cadarache research programs, radioactive waste management and radiological impact on the research center activities. It also offers an auditorium for group discussions and for school groups to discover science through enjoyment. This communication center has received several thousand visitors since its opening on October 2011; the initial results of this experience are now available. It's possible to explain the design of this exhibition, to give some statistics on the number of the visitors

Flow modelling in fractured aquifers, development of multi-continua model (direct and inverse problems) and application to the CEA/Cadarache site

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cartalade, Alain

2002-01-01

This research thesis concerns the modelling of aquifer flows under the CEA/Cadarache site. The author reports the implementation of a numerical simulation tool adapted to large scale flows in fractured media, and its application to the Cadarache nuclear site. After a description of the site geological and hydrogeological characteristics, the author presents the conceptual model on which the modelling is based, presents the inverse model which allows a better definition of parameters, reports the validation of the inverse approach by means of synthetic and semi-synthetic cases. Then, he reports experiments and simulation of the Cadarache site

Literature survey 'Impact of the Cadarache Centre activity on the environment'. Survey performed by the CRIIRAD laboratory for the Cadarache's CLI

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2008-01-01

After a presentation of the Cadarache Centre installations and activities, this document reports a literature survey based on the documents provided by the Centre and related to dismissals and incidents since the beginning of the Centre activity, and to environment control during some critical periods. Several issues are discussed: the radioactive atmospheric effluents and their impact, the control of underground waters, the control of surface water environment (impact of liquid radioactive effluents and monitoring of run-off waters), soil and food chain monitoring. For each of these themes, control and monitoring data are analysed

Liquid-metal fast breeder reactor fuel rod performance and modeling at high burnup

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Verbeek, P.; Toebbe, H.; Hoppe, N.; Steinmetz, B.

1978-01-01

The fuel rod modeling codes IAMBUS and COMETHE were used in the analysis and interpretation of postirradiation examination results of mixed-oxide fuel pins. These codes were developed in the framework of the SNR-300 research and development (R and D) program at Interatom and Belgonucleaire, respectively. SNR-300 is a liquid-metal fast breeder reactor demonstration plant designed and presently constructed in consortial cooperation by Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. RAPSODIE I, the two-bundle irradiation experiment, was irradiated in the French test FBR RAPSODIE FORTISSIMO and is one of the key irradiation experiments within the SNR-300 R and D program. The comparison of code predictions with postirradiation examination results concentrates on clad diameter expansions, clad total axial elongations, fuel differential and total axial elongations, fuel restructuring, and fission gas release. Fuel rod modeling was considered in the light of benchmarking of the codes, and there was consideration of fuel rod design for operation at low and high burnup

Swelling of structural materials in fast neutron reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Seran, J.L.

1983-06-01

The physical origin of swelling in irradiated materials and the main parameters acting on swelling of SS 316 are examined: temperature, neutron dose, dose rate, chemical composition, strain hardening. Results obtained, in Rapsodie and Phenix reactors, with fuel cans and with the hexagonal tube containing the fuel pins are analyzed and compared with results found in litterature. In conclusion hot swelling of SS 316 is too important at high doses and is will be replaced by austenitic steels stabilized by Ti and ferritic steels or high nickel steels with structural hardening [fr

Decommissioning of fast reactors after sodium draining

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2009-11-01

Acknowledging the importance of passing on knowledge and experience, as well mentoring the next generation of scientists and engineers, and in response to expressed needs by Member States, the IAEA has undertaken concrete steps towards the implementation of a fast reactor data retrieval and knowledge preservation initiative. Decommissioning of fast reactors and other sodium bearing facilities is a domain in which considerable experience has been accumulated. Within the framework and drawing on the wide expertise of the Technical Working Group on Fast Reactors (TWG-FR), the IAEA has initiated activities aiming at preserving the feedback (lessons learned) from this experience and condensing those to technical recommendations on fast reactor design features that would ease their decommissioning. Following a recommendation by the TWG-FR, the IAEA had convened a topical Technical Meeting (TM) on 'Operational and Decommissioning Experience with Fast Reactors', hosted by CEA, Centre d'Etudes de Cadarache, France, from 11 to 15 March 2002 (IAEA-TECDOC- 1405). The participants in that TM exchanged detailed technical information on fast reactor operation and decommissioning experience with various sodium cooled fast reactors, and, in particular, reviewed the status of the various decommissioning programmes. The TM concluded that the decommissioning of fast reactors to reach safe enclosure presented no major difficulties, and that this had been accomplished mainly through judicious adaptation of processes and procedures implemented during the reactor operation phase, and the development of safe sodium waste treatment processes. However, the TM also concluded that, on the path to achieving total dismantling, challenges remain with regard to the decommissioning of components after sodium draining, and suggested that a follow-on TM be convened, that would provide a forum for in-depth scientific and technical exchange on this topic. This publication constitutes the Proceedings of

The ITER management advisory committee (MAC) meeting in Cadarache

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yoshikawa, M.

1999-01-01

The ITER management advisory committee meeting was held on 8 March in Cadarache, France. The main topics were the ITER EDA Status Report in the period between the ITER Meeting in Yokohama (October 1990) and February 1999. In particular, the management advisory committee shares the director's concern about the uncertainties against which the whole project operates at present. They also noted that the definition of an appropriate framework for continued US involvement in on-going projects is a very important issue

The fuel of nuclear reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1995-03-01

This booklet is a presentation of the different steps of the preparation of nuclear fuels performed by Cogema. The documents starts with a presentation of the different French reactor types: graphite moderated reactors, PWRs using MOX fuel, fast breeder reactors and research reactors. The second part describes the fuel manufacturing process: conditioning of nuclear materials and fabrication of fuel assemblies. The third part lists the different companies involved in the French nuclear fuel industry while part 4 gives a short presentation of the two Cogema's fuel fabrication plants at Cadarache and Marcoule. Part 5 and 6 concern the quality assurance, the safety and reliability aspects of fuel elements and the R and D programs. The last part presents some aspects of the environmental and personnel protection performed by Cogema. (J.S.)

The development of fast neutron reactors in France - from February 1983 to February 1984

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Benoist, E.; Champeix, L.

1984-01-01

The report presents the ''end of life'' tests, the decommissioning and the start of dismantling operations at the Rapsodie reactor. For nuclear power plant Phenix data concerning electricity production, the results of the tests on fuel elements and the occurred accidents are reported. For the nuclear power plant Super Phenix 1 under construction at Creys Malville the results with regard to the reactor core, the fuel elements, the secondary coolant circuits and the auxiliary circuits are presented. The project for the 1500 MWe nuclear power plant Super Phenix 2 is discussed. The research and development activities in the LMFBR field, mainly, technological aspects, reactor core, fuel elements, materials and the test programs concerning especially the safety experiments and sodium-water reactors are summarized in the last part of the report

The development of fast reactors in France

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vautrey, L.

1982-01-01

Only minor changes were introduced in the French nuclear programme by the new government in 1981. The operating conditions of Rapsodie were very satisfactory up to January 1982. After a leak in the double primary jacket (nitrogen circuit) the reactor was shut down for investigations. Phenix is continuing to operate smoothly. Construction of Super Phenix (Creys Malville power plant) is proceeding normally though with some delay. The studies for the future (after Creys Malville) are following their way both for the Project 1500 (Super Phenix 2) and for the specific plants of the fuel cycle. Research and development are largely directed toward Super Phenix 1 needs and the prospects of Super Phenix 2. International cooperation remains very intensive. The financial resources devoted to the development of fast reactors are globally stable. Including fuel cycle and safety (but excluding the Phenix operation) about 1300 millions of francs will be devoted to fast reactors by the C.E.A. in 1982. (author)

Literature survey 'Impact of the Cadarache Centre activity on the environment'. Survey performed by the CRIIRAD laboratory for the Cadarache's CLI; Etude documentaire -impact sur l'environnement de l'activite du centre de Cadarache-. Etude effectuee par le laboratoire de la CRIIRAD. Pour la CLI de Cadarache

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2008-07-01

After a presentation of the Cadarache Centre installations and activities, this document reports a literature survey based on the documents provided by the Centre and related to dismissals and incidents since the beginning of the Centre activity, and to environment control during some critical periods. Several issues are discussed: the radioactive atmospheric effluents and their impact, the control of underground waters, the control of surface water environment (impact of liquid radioactive effluents and monitoring of run-off waters), soil and food chain monitoring. For each of these themes, control and monitoring data are analysed

Technical meeting on decommissioning of fast reactors after sodium draining. Working material

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2005-01-01

The objective of the technical meeting was to provide a forum for in-depth scientific and technical exchange on topics related to the decommissioning experience with fast reactors, in particular with regard to the decommissioning of components after sodium draining. Accordingly, the scope of the meeting covers the review and analyses of the experience gained from the decommissioning of both active sodium loops and sodium cooled fast reactors (e.g., KNK II, Superphenix, RAPSODIE, EBR-II, FERMI, BN-350, BR-10). It is expected that the outcome of the meeting will contribute to the Agency initiative to preserve fast reactor data and knowledge. The main focus of the technical meeting was given on the decommissioning of both active loop and reactor components (e.g., the primary vessel of a sodium-cooled reactor) that have been drained of sodium, but that still conserve some residual amounts of sodium (e.g., films covering the entire surface of the component, or particular sodium heels that cannot be drained)

Jules Horowitz Reactor, basic design

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bergamaschi, Y.; Bouilloux, Y.; Chantoin, P.; Guigon, B.; Bravo, X.; Germain, C.; Rommens, M.; Tremodeux, P.

2003-01-01

Since the shutdown of the SILOE reactor in 1997, the OSIRIS reactor has ensured the needs regarding technological irradiation at CEA including those of its industrial partners and customers. The Jules Horowitz Reactor will replace it. It has the ambition to provide the necessary nuclear data and maintain a fission research capacity in Europe after 2010. This capacity should be service-oriented. It will be established in Cadarache. The Jules Horowitz reactor will also: - represent a significant step in term of performances and experimental capabilities, - be designed with a high flexibility, in order to satisfy the current demand from European industry, research and be able to accommodate future requirements, - reach a high level of safety, according to the best current practice. This paper will present the main functionalities and the design options resulting from the 'preliminary design' studies. (authors)

Jules Horowitz reactor, basic design

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bergamaschi, Y.; Bouilloux, Y.; Chantoin, P.; Guigon, B.; Bravo, X.; Germain, C.; Rommens, M.; Tremodeux, P.

2002-01-01

Since the shutdown of the SILOE reactor in 1997, the OSIRIS reactor has ensured the needs regarding technological irradiation at CEA including those of its industrial partners and customers. The Jules Horowitz Reactor will replace it. It has the ambition to provide the necessary nuclear data and maintain a fission research capacity in Europe after 2010. This capacity should be service-oriented. It will be established in Cadarache. The Jules Horowitz reactor will also: represent a significant step in term of performances and experimental capabilities; be designed with a high flexibility, in order to satisfy the current demand from European industry, research and be able to accommodate future requirements; reach a high level of safety, according to the best current practice. This paper will present the main functionalities and the design options resulting from the 'preliminary design' studies. (author)

The development of fast reactors in France - February 1982 to February 1983

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vautrey, L.

1983-01-01

The report gives a general review of the development of fast reactors in France from February 1982 to February 1983, that is, the achievements of the last 12 months in what concerns Rapsodie, Phenix, Super Phenix 1 (the plant of Creys Malville), the studies of the project 1500 (Super Phenix 2) and the perspectives of the future. The essential points are the following: (1) The French electronuclear program actually follows the one defined by the Government in the fall of 1981. (2) The decision to definitely stop Rapsodie was taken last October. Some final experiments related to safety will be performed before the ultimate shutdown of the reactor. (3) The operating of Phenix has been disturbed by four leaks in the steam generator. The consequences were minimal. One proceeds successively to the change of the reheating systems on the three circuits. (4) The construction of the Creys Malville power plant is proceeding normally. (5) The studies for after Creys Malville follow their way: studies of the Project 1500 (Super Phenix 2) and of the fuel cycle installations. (6) Research and development, particularly oriented towards the needs of Super Phenix 1 and the perspectives of Super Phenix 2, keeps at a constant level. (7) International co-operation keeps a very important place. (8) The financial and personnel resources remain stable: about 1500 million francs for 1983, including the studies on the fuel cycle and safety, and excluding the operation of Phenix

Reprocessing of fast neutron reactor fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bourgeois, M.

1981-05-01

A PUREX process specially adapted to fast neutron reactor fuels is employed. The results obtained indicate that the aqueous process can be applied to this type of fuel: almost 10 years operation at the AT 1 plant which processes fuel from RAPSODIE; the good results obtained at the MARCOULE pilot plant on large batches of reference fuels. The CEA is continuing its work to transfer this technology onto an industrial scale. Industrial prototypes and the launching of the TOR (traitement d'oxydes rapides) project will facilitate this transfer. In 1984, it is expected that fast fuels will be able to be processed on a significant scale and that supplementary R and D facilities will be available [fr

Statistical treatment of the thermal behaviour of fast reactor fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Russo, S.; Truffert, J.; Martella, T.; Marbach, G.

1981-08-01

In a sodium cooled fast reactor, fuel temperature is an important parameter acting on main characteristics of the project on fuel element and core behaviour. This parameter is important to define boundary conditions of fuel element utilisation. A method of statistical evaluation of temperature and of temperature increase higher than a given value is presented. This evaluation is obtained in the FIEVRE code by a combination of incertainties by means of a Monte Carlo optimized method. An application of FIEVRE code is presented in the case of Rapsodie-Fortissimo fuel at the beginning of refueling at nominal conditions without transient [fr

Instrumentation in the Rapsodie test circuits of 1 and 10 MW - flow-meters, manometers, level indicators, blockage indicators; L'instrumentation dans les cilicuits d'essais rapsodie 1 et 10 MW - debitmetres, manometres, indicateurs de niveau, indicateurs de bouchage

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lisle, J.P. de; Lions, N [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

The main measuring instruments, which operate in the presence of liquid metals and which have been developed by the liquid metal section over the last few years, are electromagnetic flowmeters, differential manometers, level indicators and blockage indicators. We give here results obtained with these instruments during trial, in the 1 and 10 MW test circuits, together with the conclusions drawn about their possible use in the reactor Rapsodie, The flow rate measurements are carried out using electromagnetic flow meters with permanent magnets. We have studied more particularly the reliability of these instruments. The measurements matte show that the induction in the space between the poles is very constant with time and in the presence of the prevailing demagnetization phenomena to which the magnets are subjected. The differential manometers placed in the test circuits are very accurate. It is nevertheless necessary to carry out some technological modifications on them in order that they may operate satisfactorily over long periods. The continuous and discontinuous level-indicators tried out operate on the principle of a change in resistance. Studies carried out on the test loops of the reliability and of the accuracy of this equipment have shown the existence of phenomena convected with the condensation of sodium vapour on the upper parts of the reservoir, and have shown the importance of the condensed deposits when the oxygen content of the covering gas is appreciable. From the various blockage indicators tried out, the one chosen for equipping the reactor circuits is an automatic model with continuous recording. The development and testing of this apparatus has been going on for one year on an industrial scale circuit and has made it possible to show clearly an effect of a double blockage temperature. (authors) [French] Les principaux instruments de mesure, fonctionnant en presence de metal liquide, qui ont ete developpes et mis au point a la Section des Metaux

Studies on plant dynamics of sodium-cooled fast breeder reactors - verification of a plant model

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Schubert, B.

1988-01-01

For the analysis of sodium-cooled FBR safety and dynamics theoretical models are used, which have to be verified. In this report the verification of the plant model SSC-L is conducted by the comparison of calculated data with measurements of the experimental reactors KNK II and RAPSODIE. For this the plant model is extended and adapted. In general only small differences between calculated and measured data are recognized. The results are used to improve and complete the plant model. The extensions of the plant model applicability are used for the calculation of a loss of heat sink transient with reactor scram, considering pipes as passive heat sinks. (orig./HP) With 69 figs., 10 tabs [de

Fast wave current drive in reactor scale tokamaks

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Moreau, D.

1992-01-01

The IAEA Technical Committee Meeting on Fast Wave Current Drive in Reactor Scale Tokamaks, hosted by the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique (CEA), Departement de Recherches sur la Fusion Controlee (Centres d'Etudes de Cadarache, under the Euratom-CEA Association for fusion) aimed at discussing the physics and the efficiency of non-inductive current drive by fast waves. Relevance to reactor size tokamaks and comparison between theory and experiment were emphasized. The following topics are described in the summary report: (i) theory and modelling of radiofrequency current drive (theory, full wave modelling, ray tracing and Fokker-Planck calculations, helicity injection and ponderomotive effects, and alternative radio-frequency current drive effects), (ii) present experiments, (iii) reactor applications (reactor scenarios including fast wave current drive; and fast wave current drive antennas); (iv) discussion and summary. 32 refs

French fission products experiments performed in Cadarache and Valduc. Results comparison

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anno, Jacques; Barreau, Anne; Hudelot, Jean Pascal; Girault, Emmanuel; Fouillaud, Patrick; Toubon, Herve

2003-01-01

Cofunded by Cogema, two complementary experimental programmes on burn up credit (BUC) related to fission products (FPs) are performed by CEA and IRSN at Cadarache and Valduc. After shortly recalling the main characteristics of each experiment, a first comparison of some results is presented, especially the energy range in which most part of cross section absorption are qualified. Both experiments exhibit great quality and accurate results, giving a high degree of confidence to the whole experimental French process of qualification devoted to BUC. (author)

Continuously tritium monitoring of the pipe of liquid effluents at the Cea Cadarache; Controle en continu du tritium de la conduite des effluents liquides du CEA Cadarache

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pira, Y

2004-07-01

This report is oriented toward the radiation protection of environment that is an essential component of radiation protection. It is necessary to detect any solid, liquid or gaseous abnormal release and to find its origin. The present study bears on a detection instrument in continuously to find tritium in liquid effluents of the Cea Cadarache. After having study the functioning principle of this device, an evaluation of its performances has been realised ( back noise, yield, detection limit) and to a checking in real conditions of utilization. (N.C.)

Study of a multivariable nonlinear process by the phase space method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tomei, Alain

1969-02-01

This paper concerns the study of the properties of a multivariate nonlinear process using the phase space method. Based on the example of the Rapsodie reactor, a fast sodium reactor, the authors have established the simplified differential equations with the analogical study of partial differential equations (in order to replace them with ordinary differential equations), a mathematical study of dynamic properties and stability of the simplified model by the phase space method, and the verification of the model properties using an analog calculator. The reactor, with all its thermal circuits, has been considered as a nonlinear system with two inputs and one output (reactor power). The great stability of a fast reactor such as Rapsodie, in the normal operating conditions, has been verified. The same method could be applied to any other type of reactor

Fast reactor development programme in France

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Le Rigoleur, C [Direction des Reacteurs Nucleaires, CEA Centre d` Etudes de Cadarache, Saint-Paul-lez-Durance (France)

1998-04-01

First the general situation regarding production of electricity in France is briefly described. Then in the field of Fast Reactors, the main events of 1996 are presented. At the end of February 1996, the PHENIX reactor was ready for operation. After review meetings, the Safety Authority has requested safety improvements and technical demonstrations, before it examines the possibility of authorizing a new start-up of PHENIX. The year 1996 was devoted to this work. In 1996, SUPERPHENIX was characterized by excellent operation throughout the year. The reactor was restarted at the end of 1995 after a number of minor incidents. The reactor power was increased by successive steps: 30% Pn up to February 6, followed by 50% Pn up to May then 60% up to October and 90% Pn during the last months. A programmed shutdown period occurred during May, June and mid-July 1996. The reactor has been shutdown at the end of 1996 for the decenial control of the steam generators. The status of the CAPRA project, aimed at demonstrating the feasibility of a fast reactor to burn plutonium at as high a rate as possible and the status of the European Fast Reactor are presented as well as their evolution. Finally the R and D in support of the operation of PHENIX and SUPERPHENIX, in support of the ````knowledge-acquisition```` programme, and CAPRA and EFR programmes is presented, as well as the present status of the stage 2 dismantling of the RAPSODIE experimental fast reactor. (author). 4 refs, figs, 2 tabs.

Actinide neutron induced cross section measurements using the oscillation technique in the Minerve reactor

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bernard, B.; Leconte, P.; Gruel, A.; Antony, M.; Di-Salvo, J.; Hudelot, J.P.; Pepino, A.; Lecluze, A. [CEA Cadarache, DEN/CAD/DER/SPRC/LEPh, 13 - Saint-Paul-lez-Durance (France)

2009-07-01

CEA is deeply involved research programs concerning nuclear fuel advanced studies (actinides, plutonium), waste management, the scientific and technical support of French PWR reactors and EPR reactor, and innovative systems. In this framework, specific neutron integral experiments have been carried out in the critical ZPR (zero power reactor) facilities of the CEA at Cadarache such as MINERVE, EOLE and MASURCA. This paper deals with MINERVE Pool Reactor experiments. MINERVE is mainly devoted to neutronics studies of different reactor core types. The aim is to improve the knowledge of the integral absorption cross sections of actinides (OSMOSE program), of new absorbers (OCEAN program) and also for fission Products (CBU program) in thermal, epithermal and fast neutron spectra. (authors)

The launching of the construction of the Jules Horowitz Reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

2007-01-01

In March 2007 the French deputy minister of industry has officially launched the construction of the new research reactor called Jules Horowitz (RJH) on the Cea site of Cadarache. RJH, that is due to operate in 2014, will be used to study the aging process of irradiated materials in any type of reactors, the behaviour of new nuclear fuels irradiated in different configurations and scenarios, and to produce radionuclides for nuclear medicine and high-quality doped silicon for the electronics industry. The investment that reaches 500 million euros is dispatched between Cea (50%), EDF (20%), Areva (10%) and foreign contributors (20%). (A.C.)

Fast breeder reactor fuel reprocessing in France

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bourgeois, M.; Le Bouhellec, J.; Eymery, R.; Viala, M.

1984-08-01

Simultaneous with the effort on fast breeder reactors launched several years ago in France, equivalent investigations have been conducted on the fuel cycle, and in particular on reprocessing, which is an indispensable operation for this reactor. The Rapsodie experimental reactor was associated with the La Hague reprocessing plant AT1 (1 kg/day), which has reprocessed about one ton of fuel. The fuel from the Phenix demonstration reactor is reprocessed partly at the La Hague UP2 plant and partly at the Marcoule pilot facility, undergoing transformation to reprocess all the fuel (TOR project, 5 t/y). The fuel from the Creys Malville prototype power plant will be reprocessed in a specific plant, which is in the design stage. The preliminary project, named MAR 600 (50 t/y), will mobilize a growing share of the CEA's R and D resources, as the engineering needs of the UP3 ''light water'' plant begins to decline. Nearly 20 tonnes of heavy metals irradiated in fast breeder reactors have been processed in France, 17 of which came from Phenix. The plutonium recovered during this reprocessing allowed the power plant cycle to be closed. This power plant now contains approximately 140 fuel asemblies made up with recycled plutonium, that is, more than 75% of the fuel assemblies in the Phenix core

Jules Horowitz reactor (RJH): its design

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dupuy, J.P.

2002-01-01

This article presents the design of the new irradiation facility (Jules Horowitz reactor) that is planned to be built on the Cadarache site of Cea. 2 principles have been followed. The first one is based on a physical separation between the systems and activities related to the reactor and the experiments from one hand and the other systems and means dedicated to the treatment of the experimental devices before and after irradiation on the other hand. This first principle implies to build 2 buildings: the reactor building and the nuclear auxiliaries building. Inside the reactor building activities from the reactor itself are separated from those dedicated to experimentation. In order to maximize the efficiency of such a reactor, an important number of simultaneous experiments is expected, which will generate an endless flux of incoming and out-going experiments and as a consequence an important handling work between the different work posts. The second principle aims at easing any handling work without breaking the rules of confinement. The different storing pools, the water pits that lead to the 5 hot cells and the reactor tank will communicate through a water-filled canal that will link the 2 buildings. (A.C.)

Knowledge Preservation and Data Collection on Fast Reactors in France

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vasile, A.

2013-01-01

Documentary packages: • MADONA - the French LMFR R&D Documentary collection; - A trilateral CEA, EDF & AREVA collection, 64 synthesis reports with 5300 relevant documents, on line. • RAPSODIE documentary collection - 18000 documents including 8000 drawings gathering available technical information on RAPSODIE; • PHENIX documentary fund - 140 000 documents. Design, specification, drawings, procedures, technical reports gathering available technical information on the PHENIX plant since 1968; • PHENIX lifetime extension project data base - 2000 reports. General methodology and feedback experience; • SUPERPHENIX Plant Archives - Several thousand of documents covering plant design, operation and decommissioning, since 1977; • SPX Safety report - 150 000 pages; - Plant characteristics & Technical options; - General safety analysis; - Manufacturing and operational rules (normal, incidental and anticipated operating conditions); • EFR 98 design documentation - around 5700 documents produced during the EFR studies; • EFR Synthesis reports - 48 synthesis reports; • ACCORE - 20 200 CEA technical documents on the period 1988-2001, with keyword research system; • The Fast Neutron Reactor System Knowledge Book - approx. 1400 licensing documents; • Sodium Technology data base - around 5500 technical documents on sodium circuits, sodium leak and fires, instrumentation, ISI&R, sodium water reaction in SG…; • CIR - The Reprocessing Information Centre data base gathered 25 000 reports, on reprocessing and analytical chemistry; among them around 600 reports concern Fast Reactor fuel reprocessing technology; • Database - Preservation of data relative to fast critical mock-ups: MASURCA (F), SNEAK(D), ZPPR (US), ZEBRA(UK), RRR/SEG(D). • ARCOPAC - Electronic data base on SUPERPHENIX physical measurements; • BREF Fuel Data Base - SFR fuels, behavior of structural materials; • Fatigue experimental data base for 316LN; • PHENIX expert Data base - Built

Calculation to experiment comparison of SPND signals in various nuclear reactor environments

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Barbot, Loic; Radulovic, Vladimir; Fourmentel, Damien [CEA, DEN, DER, Instrumentation, Sensors and Dosimetry Laboratory, Cadarache, F-13108 St-Paul-Lez-Durance, (France); Snoj, Luka [Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, (Slovenia); Tarchalski, Mikolaj [National Centre for Nuclear Research, ulica Andrzeja Soltana 7, 05-400 Otwock (Swierk), (Poland); Dewynter-Marty, Veronique [CEA, DEN, DANS, DRSN, SIREN, LESCI, Saclay, F-91191 Gif sur Yvette, (France); Malouch, Fadhel [CEA, DEN, DANS, DM2S, SERMA, Saclay, F-91191 Gif sur Yvette, (France)

2015-07-01

In the perspective of irradiation experiments in the future Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR), the Instrumentation Sensors and Dosimetry Laboratory of CEA Cadarache (France) is developing a numerical tool for SPND design, simulation and operation. In the frame of the SPND numerical tool qualification, dedicated experiments have been performed both in the Slovenian TRIGA Mark II reactor (JSI) and very recently in the French CEA Saclay OSIRIS reactor, as well as a test of two detectors in the core of the Polish MARIA reactor (NCBJ). A full description of experimental set-ups and neutron-gamma calculations schemes are provided in the first part of the paper. Calculation to experiment comparison of the various SPNDs in the different reactors is thoroughly described and discussed in the second part. Presented comparisons show promising final results. (authors)

Dismantling at the CEA's Nuclear Energy Division: strategy and programmes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lecomte, C.; Prunele, D. de; Rozain, J.P.; Nokhamzon, J.G.; Tallec, M.

2008-01-01

The CEA's Nuclear Energy Division (DEN) nuclear facilities currently include seventeen reactors and thirty six other miscellaneous facilities, particularly laboratories, fuel processing units and facilities specific to waste management. Some of these are currently being dismantled or must be dismantled soon so that the DEN, the Nuclear Energy Division, can construct new equipment and thus have available a range of R and D facilities in line with the issues of the nuclear industry of the future. At CEA, the first nuclear facility dismantling operations go back several dozen years and involve numerous and varied facilities. The first operations of any significance took place in the 1960's and 1970's and covered, for example, the first plutonium plant at Fontenay-aux-Roses (total dismantling) and small research reactors or critical models - CESAR and PEGGY at Cadarache and MINERVE at Fontenay-aux Roses (civil engineering cleaned up and kept). At La Hague, the dismantling of AT1, a pilot workshop used by the CEA during the 1970's to process irradiated fuels from fast neutron reactors, was completed in March 2001 (IAEA former stage 3, excluding civil engineering demolition). On the other hand, during this period of first dismantling, the intermediate-sized reactors (G1, Rapsodie) were only partially dismantled after shut down, mainly due to the lack of graphite and sodium waste management routes at the time. About twenty facilities were thus dealt with up to 2001, in other words about half of all the nuclear facilities shut down permanently before this date. (authors)

MTR fuel plate qualification in OSIRIS reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sacristan, P.; Boulcourt, P.; Naury, S.; Marchard, L.; Carcreff, H.; Noirot, J.

2005-01-01

Qualification of new MTR fuel needs the irradiation in research reactors under representative neutronic, heat flux and thermohydraulic conditions. The experiments are performed in France in the OSIRIS reactor by irradiating MTR full size fuel plates in the IRIS device located in the reactor core. The fuel plates are easily removed from the device during the shutdown of the reactor for performing thickness measurements along the plates by means of a swelling measurement device. Beside the calculation capabilities, the experimental platform includes: the ISIS neutron mock-up for the measurement of neutron flux distribution along the plates; the γ spectrometry for the purpose of measuring the activities of the radionuclides representative of the power and the burnup and to compare with the neutronic calculation. Owing to the experience feedback, a good agreement is observed between calculation and measurement; destructive post irradiation examinations in the LECA facility (Cadarache). New irradiations with the IRIS device and at higher heat flux are under preparation for qualification of MTR fuels. (author)

TJ-II operation tracking from Cadarache

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega, J.; Sanchez, E.; Portas, A.; Pereira, A.; Lopez, A.; Ascasibar, E.; Balme, S.; Buravand, Y.; Lebourg, P.; Theis, J.M.; Utzel, N.; Ruiz, M.; Barrera, E.; Lopez, S.; Machon, D.; Castro, R.; Lopez, D.; Mollinedo, A.; Munoz, J.A.

2005-01-01

The TJ-II remote participation system was designed to follow the TJ-II discharge production, even allowing the physicist in charge of operation to be in a remote location. The system has been based on both web servers and Java technology. These elements were chosen due to its open character, security properties, platform independency and technological maturity. Web pages and Java applications permit users to access experimental systems, data servers and the operation logbook. Security resources are provided by the PAPI system, a distributed authentication and authorization system. The TJ-II remote participation tools have allowed us to command and follow the stellarator operation from Cadarache. Over 1,000 digitizer channels and more than 20 diagnostic control systems were remotely available from web pages for monitoring/programming purposes. One Java application provided on-line information about the acquisition status of channels and acquisition cards. A second Java application showed temporal evolution signals that were refreshed in an automated way on the screen after each shot. A third Java application provided access to the operation logbook. In addition to these tools, we used the VRVS videoconferencing system (FUSION community, X-Point room) and the EFDA Messenger Service for instant messaging (Jabber client). (author)

TJ-II operation tracking from Cadarache

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vega, J.; Sanchez, E.; Portas, A.; Pereira, A.; Lopez, A.; Ascasibar, E.

2005-01-01

The TJ-II remote participation system was designed to follow the TJ-II discharge production, even allowing the physicist in charge of operation to be in a remote location. The system has been based on both web servers and Java technology. These elements were chosen due to its open character, security properties, platform independence and technological maturity. Web pages and Java applications permit users to access experimental systems, data servers and the operation logbook. Security resources are provided by the PAPI system, a distributed authentication and authorization system. The TJ-II remote participation tools have allowed us to command and follow the stellarator operation from Cadarache. Over 1,000 digitizer channels and more than 20 diagnostic control systems were remotely available from web pages for monitoring/programming purposes. One Java application provided on-line information about the acquisition status of channels and acquisition cards. A second Java application showed temporal evolution signals that were refreshed in an automated way on the screen after each shot. A third Java application provided access to the operation logbook. In addition to these tools, we used the VRVS video conferencing system (FUSION community, X-Point room) and the EFDA Messenger Service for instant messaging (Jabber client). (Author)

Apparatus for ultrasonic visualization in sodium (VISUS) and acoustic detection in the Phenix reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lions, M.; Berger, R.; Bret, A.; Buis, H.; Barton, J.

A description is given of two acoustic monitoring systems studied at the Fast Neutron Reactor Department at CEN/Cadarache and used in the Phenix reactor. The first is the active type, and the second, passive. The active apparatus is based on the sonar principle and permits visualizing objects inside a reactor tank, especially the heads of assemblies during handling. The passive apparatus, the acoustic detector, observes the reactor core by analyzing the acoustic noise produced in the reactor core. The electroacoustic converters are in both cases located outside, and the acoustic vibrations are transmitted by wave guides. The two pieces of apparatus can operate in a hostile environment, such as liquid metal at high temperature in the presence of high neutron and gamma fluxes

Decontamination before dismantling a fast breeder reactor primary cooling system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Costes, J.R.; Antoine, P.; Gauchon, J.P.

1997-01-01

The large-scale decontamination of FBR sodium loops is a novel task, as only a limited number of laboratory-scale results are available to date. The principal objective of this work is to develop a suitable decontamination procedure for application to the primary loops of the RAPSODIE fast breeder reactor as part of decommissioning to Stage 2. After disconnecting the piping from the main vessel, the pipes were treated by circulating chemical solutions and the vessels by spraying. The dose rate in the areas to be dismantled was divided by ten. A decontamination factor of about 300 was obtained, and should allow austenitic steel parts to be melted in special furnaces for unrestricted release. (author)

The French R and D programme for fast reactor fuel reprocessing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Auchapt, P.; Bourgeois, M.; Calame-Longjean, A.; Miquel, P.; Sauteron, J.

1979-01-01

The process employed is the Purex process adapted to the specific case of fast breeder reactor fuels. The results achieved have demonstrated that the aqueous method can be applied to these fuels: nearly ten years of operation in the ATl workshop which reprocesses RAPSODIE fuels, and the good results obtained at the Marcoule pilot facility on large batches of fuel attest to this achievement. The CEA effort continues principally on extrapolation to industrial scale, thanks mainly to experiments conducted on industrial prototypes and to the launching of the TOR project, which will, as of 1984, allow reprocessing of FBR fuels on a significant scale, and which will provide extensive additional resources for R and D activities

Efficiency calculations for the direct energy conversion system of the Cadarache neutral beam injectors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

White, R.C.

1988-01-01

A prototype energy conversion system is presently in operation at Cadarache, France. Such a device is planned for installation on each six neutral beam injectors for use in the Tore Supra experiment in 1989. We present calculations of beam performance that may influence design considerations. The calculations are performed with the DART charged particle beam code. We investigate the effects of cold plasma, direct energy conversion and neutral beam production. 4 refs., 6 figs., 4 tabs

Experimental and design experience with passive safety features of liquid metal reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lucoff, D.M.; Waltar, A.E.; Sackett, J.I.; Salvatores, M.; Aizawa, K.

1992-10-01

Liquid metal cooled reactors (LMRs) have already been demonstrated to be robust machines. Many reactor designers now believe that it is possible to include in this technology sufficient passive safety that LMRs would be able to survive loss of flow, loss of heat sink, and transient overpower events, even if the plant protective system fails completely and do so without damage to the core. Early whole-core testing in Rapsodie, EBR-II. and FFTF indicate such designs may be possible. The operational safety testing program in EBR-II is demonstrating benign response of the reactor to a full range of controls failures. But additional testing is needed if transient core structural response under major accident conditions is to be properly understood. The proposed international Phase IIB passive safety tests in FFTF, being designed with a particular emphasis on providing, data to understand core bowing extremes, and further tests planned in EBR-11 with processed IFR fuel should provide a substantial and unique database for validating the computer codes being used to simulate postulated accident conditions

Continuously tritium monitoring of the pipe of liquid effluents at the Cea Cadarache

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pira, Y.

2004-01-01

This report is oriented toward the radiation protection of environment that is an essential component of radiation protection. It is necessary to detect any solid, liquid or gaseous abnormal release and to find its origin. The present study bears on a detection instrument in continuously to find tritium in liquid effluents of the Cea Cadarache. After having study the functioning principle of this device, an evaluation of its performances has been realised ( back noise, yield, detection limit) and to a checking in real conditions of utilization. (N.C.)

Cadarache LOR (liquides organiques radioactifs) treatment by a solidification process using NOCHAR polymers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vaudey, Claire-Emilie; Renou, Sebastien; Kelley, Dennis; Cochaud, Chantal; Serrano, Roger

2013-01-01

In France, two options can be considered to handle the Very Low Level Waste (VLLW) and the Low Level Waste (LLW). The first one is the incineration at CENTRACO facility and the second one is the disposal at ANDRA sites. The waste acceptance in these two channels is dependent upon the adequacy between the waste characteristics (physical chemistry and radiological) and the channel specifications. If the waste characteristics and the channel specifications (presence of significant quantities of halogens, complexing agents, organic components... or/and high activity limits) are incompatible, an alternative solution have to be identify. It consists of a waste pre-treatment process. For Cadarache LOR (Liquides Organiques Radioactifs) waste streams, two radioactive scintillation cocktails have to be treated. They are composed of a mix of organic liquids and water: for the first one, 19 % of organic compounds (xylene, mesitylene, diphenyloxazole, TBP...) and 86.9 % of water, and for the second one, 23 % of organic compounds (TBP...) and 77 % of water. They contain halogens (chlorine and fluorine), complexants agents (nitrate, sulphate, oxalate and formate) and have got αβγ spectra with mass activities equal to some 100 Bq/g. Therefore, tritium is also present. As a consequence, in order for storage acceptance at the ANDRA site, it is necessary to pre-treat the waste. An adequate solution seems to be a solidification process using NOCHAR polymers. Indeed, NOCHAR polymers correspond to an important variety of products applied to the treatment of radioactive aqueous and organic liquids (solvent, oil, solvent/oil mixing ...) and sludge through a mechanical and chemical solidification process. For Cadarache LOR, N910 and N960 respectively dedicated to the organic and aqueous liquids solidification are considered. With the N910, the organic waste solidification occurs in two steps. As the organic liquid travels moves through the polymer strands, the strands swell and

Improved measurements of thermal power and control rods using multiple detectors at the TRIGA Mark II reactor in Ljubljana

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zerovnik Gasper; Snoj Luka; Trkov Andrej; Barbot Loic; Fourmentel Damien; Villard Jean-Francois

2013-06-01

The aim of the current bilateral project between CEA Cadarache and JSI is to improve the accuracy of the online thermal power monitoring at the JSI TRIGA reactor. Simultaneously, a new wide range multichannel acquisition system for fission chambers, recently developed by CEA, is tested. In the paper, calculational and experimental power calibration methods are described. The focus is on use of multiple detectors in combination with pre-calculated and pre-measured control rod- position-dependent correction factors to improve the reactor power reading. The system will be implemented and tested at the JSI TRIGA reactor in 2014. (authors)

BMFT-CEA-US-DOE Exchange on KNK II-Rapsodie-EBR II operating experience, German contributions for the second expert meeting at Idaho Falls, USA, October 27 and 28, 1982

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1982-10-01

The meeting at Idaho Falls was the follow-up meeting of the first expert meeting on EBR II- Rapsodie- KNK II operating experience, which took place at the Karlsruhe Research Center in March 1980. The present report compiles the ten German papers presented at the Idaho Falls meeting, discussing various aspects of experience gained by the operation of KNK II

Corrigendum to small power and heat generation systems on the basis of propulsion and innovative reactor technologies (IAEA-TECDOC-1172)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2000-09-01

Full text: - Footnote 1 on page 4 should read: '' 1 The results of the feasibility studies were presented by BARC at the meeting, but no paper was provided for publication in these proceedings.'' - On page 5, footnote 2 should be added to the following paragraph: ''CEA and TECHNICATOM (France) have about 200 reactor-years of experience from propulsion and small experimental reactors. Special design features for a future small reactor are formulated as follows 2 :'' ('' 2 At the meeting, these features were presented by CEA, Cadarache, but no paper was provided for publication in these proceedings.'')

Corrigendum to small power and heat generation systems on the basis of propulsion and innovative reactor technologies (IAEA-TECDOC-1172)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-09-01

Full text: - Footnote 1 on page 4 should read: ''{sup 1}The results of the feasibility studies were presented by BARC at the meeting, but no paper was provided for publication in these proceedings.'' - On page 5, footnote 2 should be added to the following paragraph: ''CEA and TECHNICATOM (France) have about 200 reactor-years of experience from propulsion and small experimental reactors. Special design features for a future small reactor are formulated as follows{sup 2}:'' (''{sup 2} At the meeting, these features were presented by CEA, Cadarache, but no paper was provided for publication in these proceedings.'')

Study of the modification of the regulation of the Cadarache Van de Graaff generator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Le Bot, M.; Rion, J.

1968-09-01

The complete renewal of the energy control equipment of the Van de Graaff generator at Cadarache has been accompanied by a certain number of modifications intended to improve the running and operation of the assembly. The most important work has been the addition of an extra control loop making it possible to keep the voltage on the accelerating tube in the absence of a beam. Analog simulation has made it possible to show the advantages of this solution and the effect of some of its limits. (authors) [fr

An improved thermal-hydraulic modeling of the Jules Horowitz Reactor using the CATHARE2 system code

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pegonen, R., E-mail: pegonen@kth.se [KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Roslagstullsbacken 21, SE-10691 Stockholm (Sweden); Bourdon, S.; Gonnier, C. [CEA, DEN, DER, SRJH, CEA Cadarache, 13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance Cedex (France); Anglart, H. [KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Roslagstullsbacken 21, SE-10691 Stockholm (Sweden)

2017-01-15

Highlights: • An improved thermal-hydraulic modeling of the JHR reactor is described. • Thermal-hydraulics of the JHR is analyzed during loss of flow accident. • The heat exchanger approach gives more realistic and less conservative results. - Abstract: The newest European high performance material testing reactor, the Jules Horowitz Reactor, will support current and future nuclear reactor designs. The reactor is under construction at the CEA Cadarache research center in southern France and is expected to achieve first criticality at the end of this decade. This paper presents an improved thermal-hydraulic modeling of the reactor using solely CATHARE2 system code. Up to now, the CATHARE2 code was simulating the full reactor with a simplified approach for the core and the boundary conditions were transferred into the three-dimensional FLICA4 core simulation. A new more realistic methodology is utilized to analyze the thermal-hydraulic simulation of the reactor during a loss of flow accident.

Active acoustic leak detection in steam generator units of fast reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Oriol, L.; Journeau, Ch.

1996-01-01

Steam generators (SG) of Fast Reactors can be subject to water leakage into the sodium secondary circuit, causing an exothermic chemical reaction with potential serious damage to plant. Within the framework of the European Fast Reactor project, the CEA has developed an active acoustic detection technique which, when used in parallel with passive acoustic detection, will lead to effective leak detection results in terms of reliability and false alarm rates. Whilst the passive method is based on the increase in acoustic noise generated by the reaction, the active method takes advantage of the acoustic attenuation by the hydrogen bubbles produced. The method has been validated: in water, during laboratory testing at the Centre d'Etudes de Cadarache; in sodium, at the ASB loop at Bensberg (Germany) and at AEA Dounreay (Scotland). Full analysis of the tests carried out on the SG of the Prototype Fast Reactor in 1994 during end-of-life testing should lead to reactor validation on the method. (authors)

Thermo-mechanical behaviour of FBTR reactor vessel due to natural convection in cover gas space

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Srinivasan, G.; Varadarajan, S.; Kapoor, R.P.

1988-01-01

Fast Breeder Test Reactor is a 40 MW(t), loop type sodium cooled reactor, similar in design to Rapsodie. The Reactor Assembly, which is the heart of FBTR, comprises the Reactor Vessel (RV) housed in a safety vessel within a concrete cell (A1 Cell). The RV which supports the core is shielded at the top by two rotatable plugs which are stacked with layers of borated graphite and steel. The smaller plug (SRP), is mounted excentric to the larger one (LRP). A nominal annular gap of 16 mm is provided between RV and LRP and between LRP and SRP to enable free rotation of the plugs. Stainless Steel insulation is fixed inside the steel vessel, to avoid overheating of the A1 Cell concrete. The core is supported by the Grid Plate (GP), bolted to the RV. During preheating, sodium charging and isothermal runs upto 350 0 C, temperature asymmetries were noticed in the reactor vessel wall in the cover gas space. This was attributable to convection currents in the annulus between RV and LRP. The asymmetries also resulted in a lateral shift of the grid plate. This paper discusses our experience in suppressing these convection currents, and minimising the grid plate shift

International experience with the bundle behavior of fuel elements of sodium cooled reactors; derivation of a figure of merit for the judgement of fuel pin bundle parameters with respect to abrasion due to thermoelastic pin-pin interaction

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Toebbe, H.

1987-10-01

The report describes the status of experience with respect to the abrasion behavior of bundles in standard fuel elements and test elements with wire or grid spacing in the reactors Rapsodie fortissimo, Phenix, DFR, PFR, EBR-II, FFTF, JOYO and KNK II. With the help of simple considerations concerning thermoelastic pin-pin interactions a figure of merit is deduced from the different bundle parameters, which allows a comparative judgement of the parameters of different bundle concepts [de

Report on transparency and nuclear safety 2014 - Cadarache CEA centre

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2015-07-01

This document proposes, first, a presentation of the Cadarache CEA centre, of its activities and installations, gives a rather detailed overview of measures related to safety and to radiation protection within these activities and installations. Then it reports significant events related to safety and to radiation protection which occurred in 2014 and have been declared to the ASN. Next, it discusses the results of release measurements (liquid and gaseous effluents, radiological assessment, and chemical assessment for various installations) and the control of the chemical and radiological impact of these gaseous and liquid effluents on the environment. Finally, it addresses the issue of radioactive wastes which are stored in the different nuclear base installations of the Centre, indicates the different measures aimed at limiting the volume of these warehoused wastes and addresses their impact on health and on the environment. Nature and quantities of warehoused wastes are specified. Remarks and recommendations of the CHSCT are given

Synthesis of the IRSN report on the second safety re-examination of the EOLE and MINERVE research reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2011-01-01

This synthesis briefly discusses the results of the second safety re-examination of the EOLE and MINERVE research reactors which are operated by the CEA in a same building in Cadarache, and are presented in appendix. It addresses the seismic behaviour diagnosis of the EOLE and MINERVE installations, other possible external aggressions (plane crash, rising of underground water sheet, thunder, heat or cold wave, effects of wind and snow), the organisational processes, measures regarding radiation protection, the reactor operation safety, the safety of handling operations, the safety of warehousing sites, possible internal aggressions (fire, explosion), the confinement with respect to the environment

Procedures and techniques for the management of experimental and exotic fuel from research and test reactors in France

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Raisonnier, D.

1999-01-01

Since 1995, the Commissariat a I'Energie Atomique CEA has implemented a three point fuel management plan. One of the three points, the removal and the reprocessing of a wide range of spent fuels stored in different facilities in Saclay, Grenoble and Cadarache nuclear research centers, is described. The COGEMA Group has developed and implemented a comprehensive set of solutions for the management of research reactor and exotic fuels. It includes transport casks, storage casks or interim storage facilities at the reactor site, or at a centralized interim storage, as well as spent fuel reprocessing, material recycling and waste conditioning. (author)

Studies and manufacture of plutonium fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bussy, P.; Mustelier, J.P.; Pascard, R.

1964-01-01

The studies carried out at the C.E.A. on the properties of fast neutron reactor fuels, the manufacture of fuel elements and their behaviour under irradiation are broadly outlined. The metal fuels studied are the ternary alloys U Pu Mo, U Pu Nb, U Pa Ti, U Pa Zr, the ceramic fuels being mixed uranium and plutonium oxides, carbides and nitrides obtained by sintering. Results are given on the manufacture of uranium fuel elements containing a small proportion of plutonium, used in a critical experiment, and on the first experiments in the manufacture of fuel elements for the reactor Rapsodie. Finally the results of irradiation tests carried out on the prototype fuel pins for Rapsodie are described. (authors) [fr

For a Better Estimation of Gamma Heating in Experimental Reactors and Devices: Stakes and Work Plan from Calculation Methods to Nuclear Data

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lemaire, Matthieu; Vaglio-Gaudard, Claire; Lyoussi, Abdallah; Reynard-Carette, Christelle

2013-06-01

The Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR) is an international Material-Testing Reactor currently under construction at CEA Cadarache. The determination of gamma heating levels in this future commercial reactor is of crucial importance as gamma heating affects both safety and performance parameters of the JHR. Required accuracy (5% at one standard deviation) makes it necessary to calibrate bias and uncertainty associated with JHR gamma-heating calculations. Main steps of bias determination for gamma-heating calculations include, firstly, the development of a calculation methodology with controlled use of physical approximations; secondly, the interpretation of gamma-heating measurements so as to determine bias supposed to be only due to nuclear data. (authors)

Radioactivity and radioprotection: the every day life in a nuclear installation. Press tour at CEA/GRENOBLE 18 november 1999; Radioactivite et radioprotection: la vie quotidienne dans une installation nucleaire. Voyage de presse au Centre CEA/CADARACHE 18 novembre 1999

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-11-01

In the framework of the public information, this paper gives a general information on the radioactivity and the radioprotection at the CEA/Cadarache center. A first part is devoted to a presentation of the radioactivity with definitions and radiation effects on the human being and the environment. An other part presents the radioprotection activities and regulations. The last part deals with specific activities of the CEA/Cadarache: the CASCAD installations for spent fuels storage, the LECA Laboratory for the Examination of Active Fuels and a dismantling installation for big irradiated objects. Historical aspects of the CEA/Cadarache are also provided. (A.L.B.)

IRSN's opinion on the partial activity resumption for the Plutonium Technology Workshop (ATPu - INB 32) of the Cadarache Centre

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2009-10-01

As operations had been suspended for stations where fissile materials were handled in the ATPu (Atelier de Technologie du Plutonium, Plutonium Technology Workshop) of the Cadarache Centre, this document briefly describes the concerned operations (waste treatment and evacuation, glove box dismantling, transfer section dismantling), specifies and comments the measures undertaken by the operator, and gives the IRSN opinion about the resumption of the concerned activities

Design earthquakes for ITER in Europe at Cadarache

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Girard, Jean-Philippe; Gruenthal, Gottfried; Nicolas, Marc

2005-01-01

The European site proposed for ITER is situated in the south of France, 40 km north-east of Aix-en-Provence, in a low to moderate seismic area according to the Global Seismic Hazard Map (GSHAP Group 1999). The tokamak building would be implemented on good bedrock made of limestone with a shear wave velocity of over 1300 m/s. Input requirements and assumptions for ITER consider that an infrequent, severe earthquake (called SL-2), although unlikely to occur during the lifetime of the facility, is assessed to demonstrate adequate protection of the public. This earthquake is assumed to have a return period of 10,000 years. An investment protection level or inspection level (where all structures, systems and components are safe) with a peak ground acceleration (pga) at 0.5 m/s 2 is also considered. As a basis, orders of magnitude of consequences, if no countermeasures were taken, are given. Four aspects are discussed: regulation, implementation of this regulation for the proposed site (site geology, tectonic and seismotectonic), a probabilistic seismic hazard assessment of the site and finally, the fulfilment of the requirements and assumptions, according to IAEA guides. As a conclusion of the studies, the main characteristics of the Cadarache European site are discussed. Preliminary studies have shown that the European site proposal will ensure a low level of project risk with respect to the seismic hazard

A review of fast reactor activities in Switzerland - April 1985

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wydler, P.

1986-01-01

In the nuclear fission field, there are activities related to many different reactor concepts, including the Light Water Reactor, the Light Water High Converter Reactor, the High Temperature Reactor, the Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor and the recently proposed new concept of a small heating reactor. In 1984 the total expenditure for fast reactor activities remained the same as that in the previous year, but the budget for 1985 has declined. The 6.0 million Swiss Francs expended in 1984 have been allocated to an LMFBR safety progamme (46%) and a fuel development programme (54%). All activities reported below are carried out at the Federal Institute for Reactor Research (EIR). In the natural convection studies described in Section 5, the Nuclear Engineering Laboratory (LKT) of the Federal Institute of Technology at Zuerich is actively participating. In the past twelve months collaboration with foreign research organizations in the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy (JRC Ispra) and the U.K. for the LMFBR safety programme, and the Federal Republic of Germany and the U.S.A. for the fuel development programme has proved to be very fruitful. In this context an attachment agreement with CEA-DERS at Cadarache is worth mentioning, since it enabled an EIR staff member to participate in the prediction and analysis of the SCARABEE-APL in-pile tests

NOCHAR Polymers: An Aqueous and Organic Liquid Solidification Process for Cadarache LOR (Liquides Organiques Radioactifs) - 13195

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vaudey, Claire-Emilie; Renou, Sebastien; Porco, Julien; Kelley, Dennis; Cochaud, Chantal; Serrano, Roger

2013-01-01

To handle the Very Low Level Waste (VLLW) and the Low Level Waste (LLW) in France, two options can be considered: the incineration at CENTRACO facility and the disposal facility on ANDRA sites. The waste acceptance in these radwaste routes is dependent upon the adequacy between the waste characteristics (physical chemistry and radiological) and the radwaste route specifications. If the waste characteristics are incompatible with the radwaste route specifications (presence of significant quantities of chlorine, fluorine, organic component etc or/and high activity limits), it is necessary to find an alternative solution that consists of a waste pre-treatment process. In the context of the problematic Cadarache LOR (Liquides Organiques Radioactifs) waste streams, two radioactive scintillation cocktails have to be treated. The first one is composed of organic liquids at 13.1 % (diphenyloxazol, mesitylene, TBP, xylene) and water at 86.9 %. The second one is composed of TBP at 8.6 % and water at 91.4 %. They contain chlorine, fluorine and sulphate and have got alpha/beta/gamma spectra with mass activities equal to some kBq.g -1 . Therefore, tritium is present and creates the second problematic waste stream. As a consequence, in order for disposal acceptance at the ANDRA site, it is necessary to pre-treat the waste. The NOCHAR polymers as an aqueous and organic liquid solidification process seem to be an adequate solution. Indeed, these polymers constitute an important variety of products applied to the treatment of radioactive aqueous and organic liquids (solvent, oil, solvent/oil mixing etc) and sludge through a mechanical and chemical solidification process. For Cadarache LOR, N910 and N960 respectively dedicated to the organic and aqueous liquids solidification are considered. With the N910, the organic waste solidification occurs in two steps. As the organic liquid travels moves through the polymer strands, the strands swell and immobilise the liquid. Then as the

OSIRIS Nuclear Reactors and Services Department

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2008-01-01

OSIRIS is an experimental reactor with a thermal power of 70 megawatts. It is a light-water reactor, open-core pool type, the principal aim of which is to carry out tests and irradiate the fuel elements and structural materials of nuclear power stations under a high flux of neutrons, and to produce radioisotopes. Located within the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) centre at Saclay, it is close to many research teams and inspection laboratories and has a large-scale technological infrastructure. After a presentation of the characteristics of the reactor, the document presents its irradiation positions and experimental conditions (Geometry, Neutron flux, Gamma heating) and its experimental devices (CHOUCA, IRMA, PHAETON, GRIFFONOS, ISABELLE loops, MERCI, IRIS, Instrumentation of the devices, Qualification of the instrumentation). A forth part presents the facilities that are provided to guarantee the quality of the irradiations carried out in the reactor: ISIS reactor model, hot cells, non-destructive inspection means, chemical control of the water, tools for on-line data acquisition and follow-up of experiments, and the calculation and modelling group. A last part is devoted to the hot labs associated to OSIRIS: the LECI, a hot laboratory located on the Saclay site and mainly designed for the study of irradiated materials, and the LECA and STAR facilities, located on the CEA site in Cadarache in the south of France, and which supplement those of Saclay for fuel studies

Fuel elements in the core of the reactor Pegase. Description, successive improvements, actual possibilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Desandre-Navarre, Ch.; Lerouge, B.; Schwartz, J.P.

1967-01-01

The core of the research reactor Pegase, in operation at the Cadarache Nuclear Research Centre since 1983, contains fuel elements made from rolled plates of an aluminium-enriched uranium alloy whose characteristics have been changed several times. This report describes the modifications which have been made to these fuel elements with a view both to improving the technical qualities of the reactor and to decreasing its operational costs. Special attention is paid to the neutron aspects of the topic and in particular to the problem of the long-term modification of the reactivity. The 1966 results (30 per cent burn-up associated with only slight movement of the control rods) are particularly satisfying and can probably still be improved in the future. (authors) [fr

KROTOS FCI experimental programme at CEA Cadarache: new features and status

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bonnet, J.M.; Bullado, Y.; Journeau, C.; Fouquart, P.; Piluso, P.; Sergeant, C.; Magallon, D.

2005-01-01

Full text of publication follows: KROTOS facility has been operated by the European Commission at JRC-Ispra for many years until 1999 as part of the FARO/KROTOS programme. The programme had to be stopped at JRC due to new EC priorities, and an agreement was concluded with CEA to transfer the KROTOS facility and know-how to Cadarache to continue investigating the pending FCI issues. By this agreement, CEA became owner of the facility. The main objective of the KROTOS programme at CEA Cadarache is understanding the role of melt properties in steam explosion propagation and energetics and, in particular, steam explosion behaviour of prototypical corium melts. Possible influence of physicochemical processes on explosiveness will also be explored. Actually, analysis of alumina debris produced at Ispra have shown that formation of metastable phases and chemical reaction with water at high temperature may play a significant role in enhancing heat transfer to water in the explosion phase. In order to reach the objective, steam explosion experiments are performed in well characterised conditions for a large spectrum of conditions and melt compositions of interest for both in- and ex-vessel situations. A trigger is applied as a rule. Advanced technology and instrumentation is used to reduce uncertainties on initial conditions and characterise the various phases of an explosion, with emphasis on high energy X-ray cinematography to qualify pre-mixing. This advanced instrumentation will enable the measurement of detailed variables to consolidate the qualification of the FCI codes. The use of high energy X-rays made it necessary to construct a new building to house the facility and its components. The facility should newly become operative early 2005. Main improvements with respect to Ispra concern melt delivery, hydrogen measurement and X-ray imaging. Preliminary studies have demonstrated that identification of the pre-mixture-water interface and coherent melt jet core, and

KROTOS FCI experimental programme at CEA Cadarache: new features and status

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bonnet, J.M.; Bullado, Y.; Journeau, C.; Fouquart, P.; Piluso, P.; Sergeant, C.; Magallon, D. [CEA-Cadarache, DTN/STRI/LMA, Bat 708, BP1, 13108 Saint Paul lez Durance cedex (France)

2005-07-01

Full text of publication follows: KROTOS facility has been operated by the European Commission at JRC-Ispra for many years until 1999 as part of the FARO/KROTOS programme. The programme had to be stopped at JRC due to new EC priorities, and an agreement was concluded with CEA to transfer the KROTOS facility and know-how to Cadarache to continue investigating the pending FCI issues. By this agreement, CEA became owner of the facility. The main objective of the KROTOS programme at CEA Cadarache is understanding the role of melt properties in steam explosion propagation and energetics and, in particular, steam explosion behaviour of prototypical corium melts. Possible influence of physicochemical processes on explosiveness will also be explored. Actually, analysis of alumina debris produced at Ispra have shown that formation of metastable phases and chemical reaction with water at high temperature may play a significant role in enhancing heat transfer to water in the explosion phase. In order to reach the objective, steam explosion experiments are performed in well characterised conditions for a large spectrum of conditions and melt compositions of interest for both in- and ex-vessel situations. A trigger is applied as a rule. Advanced technology and instrumentation is used to reduce uncertainties on initial conditions and characterise the various phases of an explosion, with emphasis on high energy X-ray cinematography to qualify pre-mixing. This advanced instrumentation will enable the measurement of detailed variables to consolidate the qualification of the FCI codes. The use of high energy X-rays made it necessary to construct a new building to house the facility and its components. The facility should newly become operative early 2005. Main improvements with respect to Ispra concern melt delivery, hydrogen measurement and X-ray imaging. Preliminary studies have demonstrated that identification of the pre-mixture-water interface and coherent melt jet core, and

Optimization of FBR fuel element for high burnup

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Marbach, G.; Millet, P.

1985-03-01

After a brief historical background showing evolution of the French fast reactor fuel element from RAPSODIE to PHENIX and SUPER PHENIX we have examined the main points which have permitted to increase irradiation performance of the subassembly

A review of the current thermal-hydraulic modeling of the Jules Horowitz Reactor: A loss of flow accident analysis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pegonen, R.; Bourdon, S.; Gonnier, C.; Anglart, H.

2014-01-01

Highlights: • CEA methodology for thermal-hydraulic calculations in the JHR reactor is described. • Thermal-hydraulics of the JHR is analyzed during LOFA using CATHARE and FLICA4. • Safety criteria, important modeling parameters and correlations are presented. • Possible improvements of the current methodology are discussed and proposed. - Abstract: The newest European high performance material testing reactor, the Jules Horowitz Reactor, will support existing and future nuclear reactor designs. The reactor is under construction at CEA Cadarache research center in France and is expected to start operation at the end of this decade. R and D and analytical works have already been performed to set-up the methodology for thermal-hydraulic calculations of the reactor. This paper presents the off-line coupled thermal-hydraulic modeling of the reactor using the CATHARE system code and the FLICA4 core analysis code. The main objective of the present work is to analyze the thermal-hydraulic calculations of the reactor during the loss of flow accident using CEA methodology. Possible improvements of the current methodology are shortly discussed and suggested

JENDL reactor constant and its application. The 40th anniversary of Japan nuclear data committee

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zukeran, Atsushi

2004-01-01

The status of reactor constants about 27 years ago is briefly reviewed from the criticality predictions and nuclear data processing codes. In the second section, status of current users of JENDL-3.3 and/or JENDL-3.2 is consulted with the 2003 Fall Meeting of Atomic Energy Society of Japan. In the third section, the reliabilities of JENDL-3.3 and -3.2 are reviewed mainly from the application to light water reactor (LWR) mockup experiments; MISTRAL and BASALA made on EOLE critical facility of Cadarache Laboratory in France, since an extensive evaluation for nuclear data applicability to LWR have been scarcely performed in relative to for FBR. The results of international benchmark cores and criticality safety analyses are briefly reviewed. In the concluding remarks, overall applicability is shown as a summary with respect to all reactor parameters obtained in the LWR mockup experiment and some remarks are noted. (author)

Report on transparency and nuclear safety - Cadarache CEA centre - 2012

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2013-01-01

A first volume proposes a presentation of the Cadarache CEA centre, of its activities and installations, gives a rather detailed overview of measures related to safety and to radiation protection within these activities and installations. It also reports significant events related to safety and to radiation protection which occurred in 2012 and have been declared to the ASN. It discusses the results of release measurements (liquid and gaseous effluents, radiological assessment, and chemical assessment for various installations) and the control of the chemical and radiological impact of these gaseous and liquid effluents on the environment. It addresses the issue of radioactive wastes which are stored in the different nuclear base installations of the Centre, indicates the different measures aimed at limiting the volume of these warehoused wastes and addresses their impact on health and on the environment. Nature and quantities of warehoused wastes are specified. The second volume concerns some specific installations (INB 32 or ATPu, and INB 54 or LPC) which belong to AREVA NC. The same topics are addressed: presentation of the facilities, arrangements regarding safety and radiation protection, significant events related to safety and radiation protection, measurements of effluents and their impact on the environment, warehoused wastes. Remarks and recommendations of the CHSCT are given

Web software for the control and management of radiation protection devices in the Cadarache site

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Beltritti, F.

2010-01-01

This series of slides presents how to use a new software dedicated to the management of the periodical controls that have to be performed on the equipment involved in radiation protection. This software is ready to be dispatched on the CEA site of Cadarache. This software gives information on: the device to be controlled, the controls that have to be performed, the procedures to follow to make the test, the equipment necessary for the test particularly the need for radioactive sources, the maintenance of the device, the previous measurements and in the end the device's conformity. An evaluation of the conformity of all the devices present in a building or an area or of a particular type can be easily obtained. (A.C.)

French experience in design, operation and revamping of nuclear research reactors, in support of advanced reactors development

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Barre, B.; Bergeonneau, P.; Merchie, F.; Minguet, J.L.; Rousselle, P.

1996-01-01

The French nuclear program is strongly based on the R and D work performed in the CEA nuclear research centers and particularly on the various experimental programs carried out in its research reactors in the frame of cooperative actions between the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique (CEA), Framatome and Electricite de France (EDF). Several types of research reactors have been built by Technicatome and CEA to carry out successfully this considerable R and D work on fuels and materials, among them the socalled Materials Testing Reactors (MTR) SILOE (35 MW) and OSIRIS (70 MW) which are indeed very well suited for technological irradiations. Their simple and flexible design and the large irradiation space available around the core, the SILOE and OSIRIS reactors can be shared by several types of applications such as fuel and material testings for nuclear power plants, radioisotopes production, silicon doping and fundamental research. It is worthwhile recalling that Technicatome and CEA have also built research reactors fully dedicated to safety experimental studies, such as the CABRI, SCARABEE and PHEBUS reactors at Cadarache, and others dedicated to fundamental research such as ORPHEE (14 MW) and the Reacteur a Haut Flux -High Flux Reactor- (RHF 57 MW). This paper will present some of the most significant conceptual and design features of all these reactors as well as the main improvements brought to most of them in the last years. Based on this wide experience, CEA and Technicatome have specially designed for export a new multipurpose research reactor named SIRIUS, with two versions depending on the utilization spectrum and the power range (5 MW to 30 MW). At last, CEA has recently launched the preliminary project study of a new MTR, the Jules Horowitz Reactor, to meet the future needs of fuels and materials irradiations in the next 4 or 5 decades, in support of the French long term nuclear power program. (J.P.N.)

MOX fuel fabrication, in reactor performance and improvement

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vliet, J. van; Deramaix, P.; Nigon, J.L.; Fournier, W.

1998-01-01

In Europe, MOX fuel for light water reactors (LWRs) has first been manufactured in Belgium and Germany. Belgonucleaire (BN) loaded the first MOX assembly in the BR3 Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) in 1963. In June 1998, more than 750 tHM LWR MOX fuel assemblies were manufactured on a industrial scale in Europe without any particular difficulty relating to fuel fabrication, reactor operation or fuel behaviour. So, today plutonium recycling through MOX fuel is a mature industry, with successful operational experience and large-scale fabrication plants. In this field, COGEMA and BELGONUCLEAIRE are the main actors by operating simultaneously three complete multidesign fuel production plants: MELOX plant (in Marcoule), CADARACHE plant and P0 plant (in Dessel, Belgium). Present MOX production capacity available to COGEMA and BN fits 175 tHM per year and is to be extended to reach about 325 tHM in the year 2000. This will represent 75% of the total MOX fabrication capacity in Europe. The industrial mastery and the high production level in MOX fabrication assured by high technology processes confer to these companies a large expertise for Pu recycling. This allows COGEMA and BN to be major actors in Pu-based fuels in the coming second nuclear era with advanced fuel cycles. (author)

Recent developments towards steady state physics and technology of tokamaks in Cadarache

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jacquinot, J.G.

2002-01-01

Recently, Tore Supra has undergone a total change of internal components in order to upgrade the heat extraction capability to 25 MW for 1000 s, and address long pulse operation of a tokamak at a level of power density owing through the separatrix relevant for next step. The present paper will both give an overview of the experimental results obtained during the last campaigns and highlight the related technology developments: industrial realisation and tests with plasma of about 600 actively cooled plasma limiter components, new experimental results concerning heating and current drive systems (ECRH, ICRH, LHCD), injection of matter for long pulses (supersonic injection, high repetition rate pellet injection), stability and control of high confinement steady-state discharges sustained by the LH wave, theoretical and experimental investigations of electron heat transport. Highlights of technology developments directly applicable to ITER are also presented. Finally, a brief account is given of the European studies for validating Cadarache as a possible site for ITER, concluding that all ITER technical site requests are fully met. (author)

Development of sputter ion pump based SG leak detection system for Fast Breeder Test Reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Babu, B.; Sureshkumar, K.V.; Srinivasan, G.

2013-01-01

Highlights: ► Development and commissioning of SG leak detection system for FBTR. ► Development of Robust method of using sputter ion pump based system. ► Modifications for improving reliability and availability. ► On line injection of hydrogen in sodium during reactor operation. ► Triplication of the SG leak detection system. - Abstract: The Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) is a 40 MWt, loop type sodium cooled fast reactor built at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam as a fore-runner to the second stage of Indian nuclear power programme. The reactor design is based on the French reactor Rapsodie with several modifications which include the provision of a steam-water circuit and turbo-generator. FBTR uses sodium as the coolant in the main heat transport medium to transfer heat from the reactor core to the feed water in the tertiary loop for producing superheated steam, which drives the turbo-generator. Sodium and water flow in shell and tube side respectively, separated by thin-walls of the ferritic steel tubes of the once-through steam generator (SG). Material defects in these tubes can lead to leakage of water into sodium, resulting in sodium water reactions leading to undesirable consequences. Early detection of water or steam leaks into sodium in the steam generator units of liquid metal fast breeder reactors (LMFBR) is an important requirement from safety and economic considerations. The SG leak in FBTR is detected by Sputter Ion Pump (SIP) based Steam Generator Leak Detection (SGLD) system and Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD) based Hydrogen in Argon Detection (HAD) system. Many modifications were carried out in the SGLD system for the reactor operation to improve the reliability and availability. This paper details the development and the acquired experience of SIP based SGLD system instrumentation for real time hydrogen detection in sodium for FBTR.

Joint European contribution to phase 5 of the BN600 hybrid reactor benchmark core analysis (European ERANOS formulaire for fast reactor core analysis)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rimpault, G.

2004-01-01

Hybrid UOX/MOX fueled core of the BN-600 reactor was endorsed as an international benchmark. BFS-2 critical facility was designed for full size simulation of core and shielding of large fast reactors (up tp 3000 MWe). Wide experimental programme including measurements of criticality, fission rates, rod worths, and SVRE was established. Four BFS-62 critical assemblies have been designed to study changes in BN-600 reactor physics-when moving to a hybrid MOX core. BFS-62-3A assembly is a full scale model of the BN-600 reactor hybrid core. it consists of three regions of UO 2 fuel, axial and radial fertile blankets, MOX fuel added in a ring between MC and OC zones, 120 deg sector of stainless steel reflector included within radial blanket. Joint European contribution to the Phase 5 benchmark analysis was performed by Serco Assurance Winfrith (UK) and CEA Cadarache (France). Analysis was carried out using Version 1.2 of the ERANOS code; and data system for advanced and fast reactor core applications. Nuclear data is based on the JEF2.2 nuclear data evaluation (including sodium). Results for Phase 5 of the BN-600 benchmark have been determined for criticality and SVRE in both diffusion and transport theory. Full details of the results are presented in a paper posted on the IAEA Business Collaborator website nad a brief summary is provided in this paper

France's nuclear power programme; Le programme nucleaire francais

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cabanius, J [Electricite de France (EDF), 75 - Paris (France); Horowitz, J [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

The prospects of development of France's consumption of electricity will widen the deficit of her national energy resources. Nuclear power stations should enable this deficit to be reduced, provided a certain number of uncertainties prevailing today are resolved. The first programme, put forward by Messrs. AILLERET and TARANGER at the 1955 Geneva Conference aimed at commissioning 850 MWe by 1965; the programme was devoted to developing the natural uranium graphite-gas sequence and reaches its completion with the construction of EDF 3, the world's first unit capable of 500 MWe. Before changing over from the prototype stage to their duplication, Electricite De France decided, in agreement with the Commissariat A L'energie Atomique to build EDF 4, which, while reproducing EDF 3's reactor, together with the referring equipment, the entire control equipment and various other systems, pioneers an important innovation by incorporating the heat exchangers and fans inside the prestressed concrete pressure vessel housing the core. At the same time, studies are being carried on on the same type of reactor enabling possible use of a new annular-shaped fuel element, whose use would considerably improve the performance of EDF 5, to be envisaged. On the heavy water side, the construction of EL 4 at Brennilis jointly by the Commissariat A L'energie Atomique and Electricite De France is continuing. Design work on a 500 MWe reactor of this type has already started. As regards pressurized water reactors, the Chooz power station is built jointly by Electricite De France and Belgian Utilities. Finally, the Commissariat A L'energie Atomique is continuing the construction of the 'Rapsodie' rapid neutron reactor at Cadarache, together with studies on a larger power reactor. It may thus be seen that the technical and economic knowledge gained on these various types of reactor mean that an equipment program may be contemplated which will endow nuclear power stations with a place of ever

General considerations on the oxide fuel-cladding chemical interaction

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pascard, R.

1977-01-01

Since the very first experimental irradiations in thermal reactors, performed in view of the future Rapsodie fuel general study, corrosion cladding anomalies were observed. After 10 years of Rapsodie and more than two years of Phenix, performance brought definite confirmation of the chemical reactions between the irradiated fuel and cladding. That is the reason for which the fuel designers express an urgent need for determining the corrosion rates. Semi-empirical laws and mechanisms describing corrosion processes are proposed. Erratic conditions for appearance of the oxide-cladding corrosion are stressed upon. Obviously such a problem can be fully appreciated only by a statistical approach based on a large number of observations on the true LMFBR fuel pins

The French experience concerning the contamination by inactive and radioactive impurities and the purification of the cover gas of LMFBRs

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Michaille, P [CEA/IRDI/DEDR/DRNR/STRA, C.E.N. Cadarache (France); Clerc, R [CEA/IRDI/DERPE/SCPx, C.E.N. Marcoule (France); comps.

1987-07-01

With regard to the problems related to the cover gas of LMFBRs, the French position based on the experience of RAPSODIE and PHENIX can be summarized as follows: 1. No particular difficulty has been encountered with impurities such as air. The consequences of lubricants leaks were limited to the maintenance of big components. 2. Concerning the contamination by radioactive species, the main source in the reactor tank is {sup 23}Ne, but fortunately its half decay period is very short (38 s). Two managements of fuel failures were experienced. On RAPSODIE, the failures were numerous for experimental purpose and - in the absence of an efficient localization device - often simultaneous. On PHENIX, the fuel failure rate appears to be very low. Furthermore, the gas analysis unit of the fuel failure localization device (LRG/gas) has been improved steadily, which permits to localize and follow the evolution of each individual failed sub-assembly from the very beginning of the clad failure. For both of the reactors, leaks through the roof were observed, for which solutions were found. 3. The analysis equipment of RAPSODIE and PHENIX evolved to account for: the needs of the operator; experimental programs. The experience gained permitted to select for SUPER PHENIX a simple instrumentation. 4. Limited efforts have been paid to the purification techniques towards the fission products: On RAPSODIE, the use of helium as cover gas allowed to use trapping with charcoal cooled with liquid nitrogen with a high efficiency not only towards xenons, but also kryptons. On PHENIX, it is not necessary to trap krypton: the release rates of {sup 85}Kr (T1/2=10,4 a) are very low, of the same order as {sup 37}Ar (T1/2=35 d) produced by activation, and the fuel failure localization is not performed by gas tagging. Therefore, cooled charcoal adsorption is sufficient. For experimental purpose, a cryogenic distillation column has been installed at PHENIX, but has not yet been put into operation

The 'Reacteur Jules Horowitz': a new experimental reactor project

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Frachet, S.; Ballagny, A.

1999-01-01

The Jules Horowitz Reactor (RJH) is a new research reactor project dedicated to materials and nuclear fuel testing, the location of which is foreseen at the CEA-CADARACHE site, and the start-up in 2006. The launching of this project originated from a double finding: The development of nuclear power plants aimed at satisfying the energy needs of the next century, cannot be envisaged without experimental reactors which are unrivaled for the validation of new concepts of nuclear fuels, materials, and components as well as for their qualification under irradiation. The existing experimental reactors are 30 to 40 years old and it is advisable to examine henceforth the necessity for and the nature of a new reactor to take over and replace, at the beginning of next century, the reactors shut-down in the mean time or at the very end of their lives. Within this framework, the CEA has undertaken, in the last years, a study on the mid and long term irradiation needs, to determine the main features and performances of this new reactor. The concept of the reactor will have to fulfill the thermal neutron irradiation requirements as well as the fast neutron experimental needs, with a great potential versatility for any new irradiation programs. The reactor project selected among several different concepts, is finally a light water pool concept, with 100 MW thermal power. It could reach neutronic fluxes twice those of present French reactors, and allows for many irradiations in and around the core, under high neutron fluxes. The reactor will satisfy the highest level of safety in full accordance with international safety recommendations and the French safety approach for this kind of nuclear facility, thus giving an added safety margin keeping in mind the versatility of research reactors. The feasibility studies have been focused on the following most important items: neutronic and thermalhydraulic studies on alternative core designs, with or without added pressurization

Irradiation of fuels and materials in the Jules Horowitz reactor: The 6th European Union JHR co-ordination action (JHR-CA)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Iracane, Daniel; Parrat, Daniel

2005-01-01

The Fermine thematic network in the 5th FP pointed out the need for a new MTR facility in Europe to answer the continuous need of irradiation capabilities for fission power reactors and fusion facilities and to face the ageing of present MTRs. The Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR) Project in Cadarache copes with this context, as an international service-oriented user-facility. In the field of nuclear fuels and materials irradiation experiments, a 6th FP co-ordination action, called JHR-CA, has started at the beginning of 2004 for 2 years. The main objective is to network existing expertise on development of a new generation of experimental devices, through definition of conceptual designs, instrumentation and related in-reactor services. This paper presents the outline of the JHR project, the organization of the JHR-CA programme, and a choice of irradiation device conceptual design results. (author)

Safety report concerning the reactor Pegase - volume 1 - Description of the installation - volume 2 - Safety of the installations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lacour, J.

1964-01-01

In the first volume: This report is a description of the reactor Pegase, given with a view to examine the safety of the installations. The Cadarache site at which they are situated is briefly described, in particular because of the consequences on the techniques employed for building Pegase. A description is also given of the original aspects of the reactor. The independent loops which are designed for full-scale testing of fuel elements used in natural uranium-gas-graphite reactor systems are described in this report, together with their operational and control equipment. In the second volume: In the present report are examined the accidents which could cause damage to the Pegase reactor installation. Among possible causes of accidents considered are the seismicity of the region, an excessive power excursion of the reactor and a fracture in the sealing of an independent loop. Although all possible precautions have been taken to offset the effects of such accidents, their ultimate consequences are considered here. The importance is stressed of the security action and regulations which, added to the precautions taken for the construction, ensure the safety of the installations. (authors) [fr

Dose assessments for Greifswald and Cadarache with updated source terms from ITER NSSR-2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Raskob, W.; Hasemann, I.

1998-08-01

The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor ITER is in its late engineering phase. One of the most important safety aspects - in particular for achieving public acceptance - is to assure that the releases of harzardous material are minimal during normal operation and for accidental events, even if very unlikely. To this purpose probabilistic dose assessments for accidental atmospheric releases of various ITER source terms which contain tritium and/or activation products were performed for the sites of Greifswald, Germany, and Cadarache, France. In addition, routine releases into the atmosphere and hydrosphere have been evaluated. No country specific rules were applied and the input parameters were adapted as far as possible to those used within former studies to achieve a better comparability with site independent dose assessments performed in the frame of ITER. The calculations were based on source terms which, for the first time, contain a combination of tritium and activation products. This allowed a better judgment of the contribution to the total dose of the individual fusion relevant materials. The results were compared to site independent dose limits defined in the frame of ITER. Annual doses from routine releases (CAT-I) are below 0.1 μSv for the aquatic scenarios and are close to 1 μSv for the atmospheric source terms. Source terms for two different categories of accidental releases, representing 'extremely unlikely events' (CAT-IV) and 'hypothetical sequences' (CAT-V), were investigated. In none of these cases, the release scenarios of category CAT-IV exceed the ITER limits. In addition, relevant characteristic quantities of the early dose distribution from the hypothetical scenarios of type CAT-V are still below 50 mSv or 100 mSv, values which are commonly used as lower reference values for evacuation in many potential home countries of ITER. These site specific assessments confirmed that the proposed release limits and thus the derived dose

LMFBR plant parameters

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1979-03-01

This document contains up-to-date data on existing or firmly decided prototype or demonstration LMFBR reactors (Table I), on planned commercial size LMFBR according to the present status of design (Table II) and on experimental fast reactors such as BOR-60, DFR, EBR-II, FERMI, FFTF, JOYO, KNK-II, PEC, RAPSODIE-FORTISSIMO (Table III). Only corrected and revised parameters submitted by the countries participating in the IWGFR are included in this document

Tenth annual meeting, Vienna, Austria, 29 March - 1 April 1977. Summary report. Part III

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1977-11-01

The Summary Report - Part III of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the IAEA International Working Group on Fast Reactors - contains the discussions on the commercial development of FBRs according to national plans, mostly related to technology problems of containment design, fuel fabrication, fuel failures, sodium pressure, fuel-sodium interaction, computer codes needed for licensing. Most of the discussions were related to the existing reactors: BN-600, BN-350, BN-1600, BOR-60, RAPSODIE, PHENIX.

Tenth annual meeting, Vienna, Austria, 29 March - 1 April 1977. Summary report. Part III

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1977-11-01

The Summary Report - Part III of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the IAEA International Working Group on Fast Reactors - contains the discussions on the commercial development of FBRs according to national plans, mostly related to technology problems of containment design, fuel fabrication, fuel failures, sodium pressure, fuel-sodium interaction, computer codes needed for licensing. Most of the discussions were related to the existing reactors: BN-600, BN-350, BN-1600, BOR-60, RAPSODIE, PHENIX

OSMOSE program : statistical review of oscillation measurements in the MINERVE reactor R1-UO2 configuration.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Stoven, G.; Klann, R.; Zhong, Z.; Nuclear Engineering Division

2007-08-28

The OSMOSE program is a collaboration on reactor physics experiments between the United States Department of Energy and the France Commissariat Energie Atomique. At the working level, it is a collaborative effort between the Argonne National Laboratory and the CEA Cadarache Research Center. The objective of this program is to measure very accurate integral reaction rates in representative spectra for the actinides important to future nuclear system designs, and to provide the experimental data for improving the basic nuclear data files. The main outcome of the OSMOSE measurement program will be an experimental database of reactivity-worth measurements in different neutron spectra for the heavy nuclides. This database can then be used as a benchmark to verify and validate reactor analysis codes. The OSMOSE program (Oscillation in Minerve of isotopes in Eupraxic Spectra) aims at improving neutronic predictions of advanced nuclear fuels through oscillation measurements in the MINERVE facility on samples containing the following separated actinides: {sup 232}Th, {sup 233}U, {sup 234}U, {sup 235}U, {sup 236}U, {sup 238}U, {sup 237}Np, {sup 238}Pu, {sup 239}Pu, {sup 240}Pu, {sup 241}Pu, {sup 242}Pu, {sup 241}Am, {sup 243}Am, {sup 244}Cm, and {sup 245}Cm. The first part of this report provides an overview of the experimental protocol and the typical processing of a series of experimental results which is currently performed at CEA-Cadarache. In the second part of the report, improvements to this technique are presented, as well as the program that was created to process oscillation measurement results from the MINERVE facility in the future.

Test devices in Jules Horowitz Reactor dedicated to the material studies in support to the current and future nuclear power plants

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Colin, C.; Pierre, J.; Blandin, C.; Gonnier, G.; Auclair, M.; Rozenblum, F.

2015-01-01

The Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR) is a tank pool Material Testing Reactor with a maximum thermal power designed at 100 MW. JHR is being built in the CEA Cadarache site and will take over the Osiris reactor whose decommissioning is planned. JHR's design allows a large experimental capability (around 20 experiments at the same time) inside the reactor core, close to the fuel with high fast neutron flux or outside the reactor core, in the reflector with higher thermal neutron flux. A special attention has been put on the improvement of the thermal stability and gradients of the interest zones in samples despite strong gamma heating and on an improvement of the instrumentation devoted to the experiments. This paper presents the JHR and its main experimental devices that include the MICA (Material Irradiation Capsule) device, the CALIPSO (in-Core Advanced Loop for Irradiation in Potassium and Sodium) loop, the OCCITANE (Out-of-Core Capsule for Irradiation Testing of Ageing by Neutrons) rig, and the CLOE (Corrosion Loop Experiment) loop. JHR will play an important role for Gen IV reactors: CEA studies the feasibility of transmutation capsules, of metal liquid irradiation loops for JHR

The reactor Cabri

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ailloud, J.; Millot, J.P.

1964-01-01

It has become necessary to construct in France a reactor which would permit the investigation of the conditions of functioning of future installations, the choice, the testing and the development of safety devices to be adopted. A water reactor of a type corresponding to the latest CEA constructions in the field of laboratory or university reactors was decided upon: it appeared important to be able to evaluate the risks entailed and to study the possibilities of increasing the power, always demanded by the users; on the other hand, it is particularly interesting to clarify the phenomena of power oscillation and the risks of burn out. The work programme for CABRI will be associated with the work carried out on the American Sperts of the same type, during its construction, very useful contacts were made with the American specialists who designed the se reactors. A brief description of the reactor is given in the communication as well as the work programme for the first years with respect to the objectives up to now envisaged. Rough description of the reactor. CABRI is an open core swimming-pool reactor without any lateral protection, housed in a reinforced building with controlled leakage, in the Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Cadarache. It lies alone in the middle of an area whose radius is 300 meters long. Control and measurements equipment stand out on the edge of that zone. It consumes MTR fuel elements. The control-safety rods are propelled by compressed air. The maximum flow rate of cooling circuit is 1500 m 3 /h. Transient measurements are recorded in a RW330 unit. Aims and work programme. CABRI is meant for: - studies on the safety of water reactors - for the definition of the safety margins under working conditions: research of maximum power at which a swimming-pool reactor may operate with respect to a cooling accident, of local boiling effect on the nuclear behaviour of the reactor, performances of the control and safety instruments under exceptional

The Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR), a European Material Testing Reactor (MTR), with extended experimental capabilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ballagny, A.; Bergamaschi, Y.; Bouilloux, Y.; Bravo, X.; Guigon, B.; Rommens, M.; Tremodeux, P.

2003-01-01

The Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR) is the European MTR (Material Testing Reactor) designed to provide, after 2010, the necessary knowledge for keeping the existing power plants in operation and to design innovative reactors types with new objectives such as: minimizing the radioactive waste production, taking into account additional safety requirements, preventing risks of nuclear proliferation. To achieve such an ambitious objective. The JHR is designed with a high flexibility in order to satisfy the current demand from European industry, research and to be able to accommodate future requirements. The JHR will offer a wide range of performances and services in gathering, in a single site at Cadarache, all the necessary functionalities and facilities for an effective production of results: e.g. fuel fabrication laboratories, preparation of the instrumented devices, interpretation of the experiments, modelling. The JHR must rely on a top level scientific environment based on experts teams from CEA and EC and local universities. With a thermal flux of 7,4.10 14 ncm -2 s -1 and a fast flux of 6,4.10 14 ncm -2 s -1 , it is possible to carry out irradiation experiments on materials and fuels whatever the reactor type considered. It will also be possible to carry out locally, fast neutron irradiation to achieve damage effect up to 25 dpa/year. (dpa = deplacement per atom). The study of the fuels behavior under accidental conditions, from analytical experiments, on a limited amount of irradiated fuel, is a major objective of the project. These oriented safety tests are possible by taking into account specific requirements in the design of the facility such as the tightness level of the containment building, the addition of an alpha hot cell and a laboratory for on line fission products measurement. (author)

Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis for the simulation of a station blackout scenario in the Jules Horowitz Reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ghione, Alberto; Noel, Brigitte; Vinai, Paolo; Demazière, Christophe

2017-01-01

Highlights: • A station blackout scenario in the Jules Horowitz Reactor is analyzed using CATHARE. • Input and model uncertainties relevant to the transient, are considered. • A statistical methodology for the propagation of the uncertainties is applied. • No safety criteria are exceeded and sufficiently large safety margins are estimated. • The most influential uncertainties are determined with a sensitivity analysis. - Abstract: An uncertainty and sensitivity analysis for the simulation of a station blackout scenario in the Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR) is presented. The JHR is a new material testing reactor under construction at CEA on the Cadarache site, France. The thermal-hydraulic system code CATHARE is applied to investigate the response of the reactor system to the scenario. The uncertainty and sensitivity study was based on a statistical methodology for code uncertainty propagation, and the ‘Uncertainty and Sensitivity’ platform URANIE was used. Accordingly, the input uncertainties relevant to the transient, were identified, quantified, and propagated to the code output. The results show that the safety criteria are not exceeded and sufficiently large safety margins exist. In addition, the most influential input uncertainties on the safety parameters were found by making use of a sensitivity analysis.

The CABRI fast neutron Hodoscope: Renovation, qualification program and first results following the experimental reactor restart

Science.gov (United States)

Chevalier, V.; Mirotta, S.; Guillot, J.; Biard, B.

2018-01-01

The CABRI experimental pulse reactor, located at the Cadarache nuclear research center, southern France, is devoted to the study of Reactivity Initiated Accidents (RIA). For the purpose of the CABRI International Program (CIP), managed and funded by IRSN, in the framework of an OECD/NEA agreement, a huge renovation of the facility has been conducted since 2003. The Cabri Water Loop was then installed to ensure prototypical Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) conditions for testing irradiated fuel rods. The hodoscope installed in the CABRI reactor is a unique online fuel motion monitoring system, operated by IRSN and dedicated to the measurement of the fast neutrons emitted by the tested rod during the power pulse. It is one of the distinctive features of the CABRI reactor facility, which is operated by CEA. The system is able to determine the fuel motion, if any, with a time resolution of 1 ms and a spatial resolution of 3 mm. The hodoscope equipment has been upgraded as well during the CABRI facility renovation. This paper presents the main outcomes achieved with the hodoscope since October 2015, date of the first criticality of the CABRI reactor in its new Cabri Water Loop configuration. Results obtained during reactor commissioning phase functioning, either in steady-state mode (at low and high power, up to 23 MW) or in transient mode (start-up, possibly beyond 20 GW), are discussed.

Eleventh annual meeting, Bologna, Italy, 17-20 April 1978. Summary report. Part III

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1978-09-01

The Summary Report - Part III of the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the IAEA International Working Group on Fast Reactors - contains the discussions on the commercialization LMFBRs according to national plans, mostly related to technology of fuel fabrication, PHENIX fuel pins testing, heterogeneous cores, in service inspection of fuel elements, regulations and licensing, and related OECD activities. Most of the discussions were related to the existing reactors: BR-10, BN-600, BN-350, BN-1600, RAPSODIE and PHENIX

Eleventh annual meeting, Bologna, Italy, 17-20 April 1978. Summary report. Part III

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1978-09-01

The Summary Report - Part III of the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the IAEA International Working Group on Fast Reactors - contains the discussions on the commercialization LMFBRs according to national plans, mostly related to technology of fuel fabrication, PHENIX fuel pins testing, heterogeneous cores, in service inspection of fuel elements, regulations and licensing, and related OECD activities. Most of the discussions were related to the existing reactors: BR-10, BN-600, BN-350, BN-1600, RAPSODIE and PHENIX.

Pulse generator 1000 A; Generateur d'impulsions 1000 A

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Da Costa Viera, D; Mourchou, R; C, Fouilhe; Lions, N

1966-07-01

This apparatus is devoted to the determination of the gas content in a sodium-argon flow. The technic, elaborated in the Rapsodie reactor test circuits, will be applied to reactor core. The principle is the determination of the sound speed in a liquid sodium column. This speed being function of the argon rate, it is possible to evaluate the gas content in the sodium. The sound speed is obtained by the measurement of a pressure wave. (A.L.B.)

Historical Waste Retrieval and Clean-up Operations at Nuclear facility no.56, at the Cadarache Nuclear Research Centre

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Santucci, C.

2008-01-01

Among the different activities of the CEA research centre in Cadarache, located in the south of France, one of the most important involves cleaning, cleansing dismantling, decommissioning, and recovery of legacy wastes. This presentation will give an overview of the waste retrieval project from the historical interim storage facility called INB 56. The project is divided into three different sub-projects: the historical unpacked waste retrieval, the historical canister retrieval and the draining and clean-up of the spent fuel pools. All the described operations are conducted in accordance with the ALARA principle and the optimization of the waste categorization. The overall project, including the complete clean-up of the facility and its de-licensing, is due to end by 2020. The aim of this document is to outline the general ongoing historical waste retrieval operations and future projects on the INB 56 at the Cadarache research centre. In the final analysis, it can be seen that most of the waste is to be sent to the new CEDRA facility. Nevertheless one major goal of this project is to optimize the waste categorization and therefore to send the canisters to the ANDRA LLW site whenever possible. Two means will allow us to reach this goal: - The sorting out of un-packed waste in order to constitute a LLW canister - A wide range of measurements (gamma spectrometry, neutron measurement, tomography) in order to assess the exact nature of the contents in the historical canisters. Taking waste treatment and conditioning into account well in advance is a factor of prime importance that must be managed early in the elaboration of the decommissioning scenario. Precise knowledge of the physical and radiological inventories is of the utmost importance in defining the best waste pathway. Overall operations on the facility are due to end by 2020 including complete clean-up of the facility and its de-licensing

IRPhE/RRR-SEG, Reactor Physics Experiments from Fast-Thermal Coupled Facility

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Weiss, Frank-Peter; Dietze, Klaus; Jacqmin, Robert; Ishikawa, Makoto

2003-01-01

1 - Description: The RRR-SEG-experiments have been performed to check neutron data of the most important reactor materials, especially of fission product nuclides, fuel isotopes and structural materials. The measured central reactivity worths (CRW) of small samples were compared with calculated values. These C/E-ratios have been used then for data corrections or in adjustment procedures. The reactor RRG-SEG (at RC Rossendorf / Germany) was a fast-thermal coupled facility of zero power. The annular thermal drivers were filled by fuel assemblies and moderated by water. The inner insertion lattices were loaded with pellets of fuel and other materials producing the fast neutron flux. The characteristics of the neutron and adjoint spectra were obtained by special arrangements of these pellets in unit cells. In this way, a hard or soft neutron spectrum or a special energy behavior of the adjoint function could be reached. The samples were moved by means of tubes to the central position (pile-oscillation technique). The original information about the facility and measurements is compiled in Note Technique SPRC/LEPh/93-230 (SEG) The SEG experiments are considered 'clean' integral experiments, simple and clear in geometry and well suited for calculation. In all SEG configurations only a few materials were used, most of these were standards. Due to the designed adjoint function (energy-independent or monotonously rising), the capture or scattering effect was dominant, convenient to check separately capture or scattering data. At first, analyses of the experiments have been performed in Rossendorf. Newer analyses were done later in Cadarache / CEA France using the European scheme for reactor calculation JEF-2.2 / ECCO / ERANOS (see Note Techniques and JEF/DOC-746). Furthermore, re-analyses were performed in O-arai / JNC Japan with the JNC standard route JENDL-3.2 / SLAROM / CITATION / PERKY. Results obtained with both code systems and different data evaluations (JEF-2.2 and

Internal accounting system for feed materials in the plutonium fuel fabrication complex at Cadarache

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Arnal, T.; Guillet, H.

1976-01-01

The internal accounting system of the Fabrication and Radiometallurgical Inspection Service (SFER) is basically designed to meet national and international requirements for nuclear materials accountancy as applied to feed materials. The authors discuss the principles underlying this accounting system for the case of the Plutonium Fuel Assembly Fabrication Complex at Cadarache. The sphere of application of the system covers more than 200 work stations and approximately 100 different materials. Some 20000 movements of feed materials per year represent transfers of a cumulative mass much greater than one ton of fissile material. A data processing system has therefore become essential in order to ensure the rapid and reliable acquisition of accounting data relating to these movements. The authors describe the system (definition of stations and material codes, description of supporting facilities used) and discuss the mode of acquisition with particular reference to relative speed of action. In conclusion, the authors indicate that the system offers interesting possibilities, in addition to its original purpose, in the following areas: Preparation of material balances; compliance with safety regulations to avert the risk of criticality; discouragement of possible diversion. (author)

Survey of post-irradiation examinations made of mixed carbide fuels

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Coquerelle, M.

1997-01-01

Post-irradiation examinations on mixed carbide, nitride and carbonitride fuels irradiated in fast flux reactors Rapsodie and DFR were carried out during the seventies and early eighties. In this report, emphasis was put on the fission gas release, cladding carburization and head-end gaseous oxidation process of these fuels, in particular, of mixed carbides. (author). 8 refs, 16 figs, 3 tabs

Emission and transmission tomography systems to be developed for the future needs of Jules Horowitz material testing reactor

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kotiluoto, Petri [VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, P.O.Box 1000, FI-02044 VTT (Finland)], E-mail: petri.kotiluoto@vtt.fi; Wasastjerna, Frej; Kekki, Tommi [VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, P.O.Box 1000, FI-02044 VTT (Finland); Sipilae, Heikki; Banzuzi, Kukka [Oxford Instruments Analytical Oy, Nihtisillankuja 5, P.O.Box 85, FI-02631 Espoo (Finland); Kinnunen, Petri; Heikinheimo, Liisa [VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, P.O.Box 1000, FI-02044 VTT (Finland)

2009-08-01

The new 100 MW Jules Horowitz material testing reactor will be built in Cadarache, France. It will support, for instance, research on new types of innovative nuclear fuel. As a Finnish in-kind contribution, 3D emission and transmission tomography equipment will be delivered for both the reactor and the active component storage pool. The image reconstruction of activities inside the used nuclear fuel will be based on gamma spectrometry measurements. A new type of underwater digital X-ray linear detector array is under development for transmission imaging, based on GaAs and direct conversion of X-rays into an electrical signal. A shared collimator will be used for both emission and transmission measurements. Some preliminary design has been performed. For the current design, the expected gamma spectrometric response of a typical high-purity germanium detector has been simulated with MCNP for minimum and maximum source activities (specified by CEA) to be measured in future.

UDIN's dismantling projects

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Laffaille, C.

1993-01-01

The role of UDIN (Central unit for nuclear facility decommissioning) at the CEA is reviewed together with the main specific aspects of nuclear dismantling: the different options and dismantling strategies and costs. The characteristics of the main on-going projects are described: graphite-gas reactors (G2/G3), RAPSODIE (RNR), AT1 (pilot RNR fuel reprocessing plant), ELAN II B (Cesium source conditioning plant), EL4 (heavy water/CO2 reactor), RM2 (fuel control radio-metallurgical laboratory) and UB-UM (Uranium enrichment plant)

ITER, the 'Broader Approach', a DEMO fusion reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Janeschitz, G.; Bahm, W.

2007-01-01

Fusion is a very promising future energy option, which is characterized by almost unlimited fuel reserves, favourable safety features and environmental sustainability. The aim of the worldwide fusion research is a fusion power station which imitates the process taking place in the sun and thus gains energy from the fusion of light atomic nuclei. The experimental reactor ITER which will be built in Cadarache, France, marks a breakthrough in the worldwide fusion research: For the first time an energy multiplication factor of at least 10 will be achieved, the factor by which the fusion power exceeds the external plasma heating. Partners in this project are the European Union, Japan, the Russian Federation, USA, China, South Korea and India as well as Brazil as associated partner. The facility is supposed to demonstrate a long burning, reactor-typical plasma and to test techniques such as plasma heating, plasma confinement by superconducting magnets, fuel cycle as well as energy transition, tritium breeding and remote handling technologies. The next step beyond ITER will be the demonstration power station DEMO which requires further developments in order to create the basis for its design and construction. The roadmap to fusion energy is described. It consists of several elements which are needed to develop the knowledge required for a commercial fusion reactor. The DEMO time schedule depends on the efforts in terms of personnel and budget resources the society is willing to invest in fusion taking into account the long term energy supply and its environmental impact. (orig.)

The CEA Cadarache site. Additional safety assessment with respect to the accident which occurred in the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power station

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2012-01-01

After a presentation of some characteristics of the CEA Cadarache site (internal and external industrial environment, crisis management organization at the CEA level and at the local level), this document reports the identification of structures and equipment concerned by crisis management (site support functions, critical structures and equipment concerned by additional safety assessments). Then, it addresses the different risks: earthquake (sizing of critical structures and equipment, margin assessment), flooding (possible origins, alarm measures), other extreme natural events (extreme meteorological conditions, extreme earthquake with induced flooding, forest fire), and loss of electric supplies and of cooling systems. The last parts address the organization of accident management in situation typically related to additional safety management), and subcontracting conditions and practices

Contribution of prototypic material tests on the Plinius platform to the study of nuclear reactor severe accident

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Journeau, Ch.

2008-01-01

The PLINIUS experimental platform at CEA Cadarache is dedicated to the experimental study of nuclear reactor severe accidents thanks to experiments between 2000 and 3500 K with prototypic corium. Corium is the mixture that would be formed by an hypothetical core melting and its mixing with structural materials. Prototypical corium has the same chemical composition as the corium corresponding to a given accident scenario but has a different isotopic composition (use of depleted uranium,...). Research programs and test series have been performed to study corium thermophysical properties, fission product behaviour, corium spreading, solidification and interaction with concrete as well as its coolability. It was the frame of research training of many students and was realized within national, European and international collaborations. (author)

Dose assessments for Greifswald and Cadarache with new source terms from ITER NSSR-1

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Raskob, W.; Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH Technik und Umwelt; Hasemann, I.

1997-08-01

Probabilistic dose assessments for accidental atmospheric releases of various ITER source terms which contain tritium and/or activation products were performed for the sites of Greifswald, Germany, and Cadarache, France. No country specific rules were applied and the input parameters were adapted as far as possible to those used within former ITER studies to achieve a better comparability with site independent dose assessments performed in the frame of ITER. The calculations were based on source terms which, at the first time, contain a combination of tritium and activation products. This allowed a better judgement of the contribution of the individual fusion relevant materials to the total dose. The results were compared to site independent dose limits defined in the frame of ITER. Source terms for two different categories, representing 'extremely unlikely events' (CAT-IV) and 'hypothetical sequences' (CAT-V), were investigated. In no cases, the release scenarios of category CAT-IV exceeded the ITER limits. In addition, early doses from the hypothetical scenarios of type CAT-V were still below 50 mSv or 100 mSv, values which are commonly used as lower reference values for evacuation in many potential home countries of ITER. Only the banning of food products was found to be a potential countermeasure which may affect larger areas. (orig.) [de

Fast breeder reactor research

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1975-01-01

reactors of the future, the body of research aimed at developing liquid metal cooled fast reactors, national plans for work in 1976 on developing fast reactors - these were some of the topics discussed in connection with the national programmes. The development of power reactors involves a wide range of problems in the fields of nuclear and reactor physics, the thermophysics, chemistry, physics and technology of the cooling system, structural materials and nuclear fuel, the fabrication of reliable fuel elements and operating equipment, reactor monitoring and control, spent fuel reprocessing, the economics of constructing fast power reactors, nuclear safety, etc. The IWGFR, as at previous meetings, therefore paid great attention to the matter of holding international specialists' meetings. The working group recommended that the IAEA should organize the following IWGFR meetings in 1976: (1) In-Service Inspection and Monitoring (Bensberg, FRG, March 1976). (2) Cavitation in Sodium and Studies of Analogy with Water as Compared to Sodium (Cadarache, France, April 1976). (3) High Temperature Structural Design Technology (United States, May 1976) (4) Aerosol Formation, Vapour Deposits and Sodium Vapour Trapping (France, September-December 1976). The Group welcomed the IAEA's proposal to hold specialists' meetings on 'Fast Reactor Instrumentation' and 'Fuel Reprocessing and Recycling Techniques' within the framework of the Agency's programme of working groups in 1976. After discussing questions of co-ordinating and organizing international conferences on fast reactors, the IWGFR agreed to send representatives to the joint meeting of the American Nuclear Society and the American Institute of Metallurgical Engineers on 'Liquid Metal Technology', to be held at Champion, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. from 3-6 May 1976, and recommended that the IAEA should organize an international symposium on the 'Design, Construction and Operating Experience of Demonstration Fast Power Reactors' at Bologna

Validation of iron nuclear data for the neutron calculation of nuclear reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vaglio-Gaudard, C.

2010-01-01

The GEN-III and GEN-IV reactors will be equipped with heavy reflectors. However, the existing integral validation of the iron nuclear data in the latest JEFF3 European library in the frame of the neutron calculation of the heavy reflector is very partial: some results exist concerning fast reactors but there is no result corresponding to the LWR heavy reflector. No clear trend on the JEFF3 iron cross sections was brought into evidence up to now for fission reactor calculations. Iron nuclear data were completely re-evaluated in the JEFF3 library. Despite the fact that iron is widely used in the nuclear industry, large uncertainties are still associated with its nuclear data, particularly its inelastic cross section which is very important in the neutron slowing down. A validation of 56 Fe nuclear data was performed on the basis of the analysis of integral experiments. Two major critical experiments, the PERLE experiment and the Gas Benchmark, were interpreted with 3D reference Monte-Carlo calculations and the JEFF3.1.1 library. The PERLE experiment was recently performed in the EOLE zero-power facility (CEA Cadarache). This experiment is dedicated to heavy reflector physics in GEN-III light water reactors. It was especially conceived for the validation of iron nuclear data. The Gas Benchmark is representative of a Gas Fast Reactor with a stainless steel reflector (with no fertile blanket) in the MASURCA facility (CEA Cadarache). Radial traverses of reaction rates were measured to characterize flux attenuation at various energies in the reflector. The results of the analysis of both experiments show good agreement between the calculations and the measurements, which is confirmed by the analysis of complementary experiments (ZR-6M, MISTRAL4, CIRANO-ZONA2B). A process of re-estimating the 56 Fe nuclear data was implemented on the basis of feedback from these two experiments and the RDN code. This code relies on a non-linear regression method using an iterative

Experimental study of the effect of neutron radiation on pressurised water reactor vessel steel resilience - First part

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Verdeau, Jean-Jacques

1969-12-01

After having outlined the importance of the embrittlement of vessel steels by neutrons during the exploitation of pressurised water reactors, the author reports a set of tests which aimed at determining the effect of neutron irradiation on vessel steel resilience for operated, under construction or projected pressurized water reactors. He also tries to highlight the influence of irradiation temperature and of initial thermal treatments, and to look for a restoration thermal treatment of neutron-induced damages which could be applied to the considered vessels. Tests were performed on V Charpy resilience samples. Some samples have been irradiated by the Pile Department of the Grenoble CEN and then broken by the Laboratory of very high activity, whereas other samples have been irradiated in a prototype vessel and broken by a Cadarache department. The author presents characteristics of the studied steels (chemical compositions, thermal treatments), describes sample irradiation conditions, and the method of assessment of the transition temperature after irradiation, presents experimental results, discusses their interpretation, and presents future tests to be performed [fr

A complete dosimetry experimental program in support to the core characterization and to the power calibration of the CABRI reactor. A complete dosimetry experimental program in support of the core characterization and of the power calibration of the CABRI reactor

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rodiac, F.; Hudelot, JP.; Lecerf, J.; Garnier, Y.; Ritter, G. [CEA, DEN, CAD/DER/SRES/LPRE, Cadarache, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, (France); Gueton, O.; Colombier, AC. [CEA, DEN, CAD/DER/SPRC/LPN, Cadarache, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, (France); Domergue, C. [CEA, DEN, CAD/DER/SPEx/LDCI, Cadarache, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, (France)

2015-07-01

CABRI is an experimental pulse reactor operated by CEA at the Cadarache research center. Since 1978 the experimental programs have aimed at studying the fuel behavior under Reactivity Initiated Accident (RIA) conditions. Since 2003, it has been refurbished in order to be able to provide RIA and LOCA (Loss Of Coolant Accident) experiments in prototypical PWR conditions (155 bar, 300 deg. C). This project is part of a broader scope including an overall facility refurbishment and a safety review. The global modification is conducted by the CEA project team. It is funded by IRSN, which is conducting the CIP experimental program, in the framework of the OECD/NEA project CIP. It is financed in the framework of an international collaboration. During the reactor restart, commissioning tests are realized for all equipment, systems and circuits of the reactor. In particular neutronics and power commissioning tests will be performed respectively in 2015 and 2016. This paper focuses on the design of a complete and original dosimetry program that was built in support to the CABRI core characterization and to the power calibration. Each one of the above experimental goals will be fully described, as well as the target uncertainties and the forecasted experimental techniques and data treatment. (authors)

Teaching sodium fast reactor technology and operation for the present and future generations of SFR users

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Latge, Christian; Rodriguez, Gilles; Baque, Francois; Leclerc, Arnaud; Martin, Laurent; Vray, Bernard; Romanetti, Pascale

2011-01-01

This paper provides a description of the education and training activities related to sodium fast reactors, carried out respectively in the French Sodium and Liquid Metal School (ESML) created in 1975 and located in France (at the CEA Cadarache Research Centre), in the Fast Reactor Operation and Safety School (FROSS) created in 2005 at the Phenix plant, and in the Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucleaires (INSTN). It presents their recent developments and the current collaborations throughout the world with some other nuclear organizations and industrial companies. Owing to these three entities, CEA provides education and training sessions for students, researchers, and operators involved in the operation or development of sodium fast reactors and related experimental facilities. The sum of courses provided by CEA through its sodium school, FROSS, and INSTN organizations is a unique valuable amount of knowledge on sodium fast reactor design, technology, safety and operation experience, decommissioning aspects and practical exercises. It is provided for the national demand and, since the last ten years, it is extensively opened to foreign countries. Over more than 35 years, the ESML, FROSS, and INSTN have demonstrated their flexibility in adapting their courses to the changing demand in the sodium fast reactor field, operation of PHENIX and SUPERPHENIX plants, and decommissioning and dismantling operations. The results of this ambitious and constant strategy are first sharing of knowledge obtained from experimental studies carried out in research laboratories and operational feedback from reactors, secondly standardized information on safety, and finally the creation of a 'sodium community' that debates, shares the knowledge, and suggests new tracks for a better definition of design and operating rules. (author)

Third session: new projects

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Iracane, D.; Dupuy, J.P.; Perotto, G.; Ithurralde, G.; Cabrillat, J.C.; Becle, D.; Pivet, S.; Minguet, J.L.

2005-01-01

The RJH (Jules Horowitz reactor) is a 100 MWth research reactor, cooled and moderated by water, that has been designed to operate with high density (8 g U/cm 3 ) and low enrichment fuel (19.75%) uranium molybdenum fuel. Its main neutron performances are expected to be: -) maximum fast neutron flux (E > 0.907 MeV) in the sample: 5.10 14 n/cm 2 /s, -) maximum thermal neutron flux (E 14 n/cm 2 /s, and -) maximal neutron damage: 16 dpa/year. RJH that will be built on the Cea's site of Cadarache, is scheduled to enter into service in 2014, it will take over the activities of the Osiris reactor and its operating life is planned to be over 50 years long. The Cabri research reactor is located on the Cadarache site, it has been operating since 1962 and is now undergoing important upgrading operations whose aim is to make the facility fit to study the behaviour of new nuclear fuels in accidental situations. The RES test reactor is a facility whose aim is to qualify nuclear fuels and core configurations of existing propulsion reactors onboard of aircraft carriers or submarines and to propose innovative concepts for future propulsion reactors. (A.C.)

Safety report concerning the reactor Pegase - volume 1 - Description of the installation - volume 2 - Safety of the installations; Rapport de surete du reacteur pegase - tome 1 - Description des installations - tome 2 - Surete des installations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lacour, J. [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires; Legoin, P. [S.E.M. Hispano-Suiza, 92 - Colombes (France)

1964-07-01

In the first volume: This report is a description of the reactor Pegase, given with a view to examine the safety of the installations. The Cadarache site at which they are situated is briefly described, in particular because of the consequences on the techniques employed for building Pegase. A description is also given of the original aspects of the reactor. The independent loops which are designed for full-scale testing of fuel elements used in natural uranium-gas-graphite reactor systems are described in this report, together with their operational and control equipment. In the second volume: In the present report are examined the accidents which could cause damage to the Pegase reactor installation. Among possible causes of accidents considered are the seismicity of the region, an excessive power excursion of the reactor and a fracture in the sealing of an independent loop. Although all possible precautions have been taken to offset the effects of such accidents, their ultimate consequences are considered here. The importance is stressed of the security action and regulations which, added to the precautions taken for the construction, ensure the safety of the installations. (authors) [French] Dans le volume 1: Ce rapport est une description du reacteur Pegase, afin d'examiner la surete des installations. Le site de CADARACHE ou elles sont situees, a ete sommairement decrit, en particulier, a cause des consequences sur les techniques mises en oeuvre pour la realisation de Pegase. Nous nous sommes egalement attache a decrire les aspects originaux du reacteur. Les boucles autonomes destinees a tester en vraie grandeur des elements combustibles de la filiere uranium naturel graphite-gaz, ainsi que leurs dispositifs de controle et d'exploitation, figurent egalement dans ce rapport. Dans le volume 2: Dans le present rapport, nous examinons des accidents pouvant endommager des installations du reacteur Pegase. Les origines d'accidents examines

Safety report concerning the reactor Pegase - volume 1 - Description of the installation - volume 2 - Safety of the installations; Rapport de surete du reacteur pegase - tome 1 - Description des installations - tome 2 - Surete des installations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lacour, J [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires; Legoin, P [S.E.M. Hispano-Suiza, 92 - Colombes (France)

1964-07-01

In the first volume: This report is a description of the reactor Pegase, given with a view to examine the safety of the installations. The Cadarache site at which they are situated is briefly described, in particular because of the consequences on the techniques employed for building Pegase. A description is also given of the original aspects of the reactor. The independent loops which are designed for full-scale testing of fuel elements used in natural uranium-gas-graphite reactor systems are described in this report, together with their operational and control equipment. In the second volume: In the present report are examined the accidents which could cause damage to the Pegase reactor installation. Among possible causes of accidents considered are the seismicity of the region, an excessive power excursion of the reactor and a fracture in the sealing of an independent loop. Although all possible precautions have been taken to offset the effects of such accidents, their ultimate consequences are considered here. The importance is stressed of the security action and regulations which, added to the precautions taken for the construction, ensure the safety of the installations. (authors) [French] Dans le volume 1: Ce rapport est une description du reacteur Pegase, afin d'examiner la surete des installations. Le site de CADARACHE ou elles sont situees, a ete sommairement decrit, en particulier, a cause des consequences sur les techniques mises en oeuvre pour la realisation de Pegase. Nous nous sommes egalement attache a decrire les aspects originaux du reacteur. Les boucles autonomes destinees a tester en vraie grandeur des elements combustibles de la filiere uranium naturel graphite-gaz, ainsi que leurs dispositifs de controle et d'exploitation, figurent egalement dans ce rapport. Dans le volume 2: Dans le present rapport, nous examinons des accidents pouvant endommager des installations du reacteur Pegase. Les origines d'accidents examines comprennent la seismicite

Scientists from all over the world attend the 2007 - Frederic Joliot/Otto Hahn Summer School on Nuclear Reactors, 'Physics, Fuels and Systems'; Wissenschaftler aus aller Welt bei der 2007 Frederic Joliot/Otto Hahn Summer School on Nuclear Reactors 'Physics, Fuels and Systems'

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fischer, U.; Sanchez-Espinoza, V.H. [Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe (Germany). Inst. fuer Reaktorsicherheit

2007-12-15

For more than ten years, the Frederic Joliot/Otto Hahn Summer School has been organized alternately by the Karlsruhe Research Center in Germany and the French Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique (CEA), Cadarache, in France. This year, the Summer School was held at the Center for Advanced Training in Technology and the Environment of the Karlsruhe Research Center on August 29 to September 7. The overarching topic of the event was the sustainability of nuclear power, including topical issues of generation-IV reactor concepts, transmutation and actinide separation, and geologic final storage. Next year's Frederic Joliot/Otto Hahn Summer School will be organized by CEA at Aix-en-Provence together with the Nuclear Safety Research Program of the Karlsruhe Research Center. (orig.)

Jules Horowitz Reactor: Organisation for the Preparation of the Commissioning Phase and Normal Operation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Estrade, J.; Fabre, J. L.; Marcille, O. [French Alternative Energies end Atomic Energy Commission, Provence (France)

2013-07-01

The Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR) is a new modern Material Testing Reactor (MTR) currently under construction at CEA Cadarache research centre in the south of France. It will be a major research facility in support to the development and the qualification of materials and fuels under irradiation with sizes and environment conditions relevant for nuclear power plants in order to optimise and demonstrate safe operations of existing power reactors as well as to support future reactors design. It will represent also an important research infrastructure for scientific studies dealing with material and fuel behaviour under irradiation. The JHR will contribute also to secure the production of radioisotope for medical application. This is a key public health stake. The construction of JHR which started in 2007 is going-on with target of commissioning by the end of 2017. The design of the reactor provides modern experimental capacity in support to R and D programs for the nuclear energy for the next 60 years. In parallel to the facility construction, the preparation of the future staff and of the organisation to operate the reactor safely, reliably and efficiently is an important issue. In this framework, many actions are in progress to elaborate: Ο the staffing and the organisational structure for the commissioning test phases and also for normal operation, Ο the documentation in support to the reactor operation (safety analysis report, general operating rules, procedures, instructions, ···), Ο the maintenance, in service and periodic test programs, Ο staff training programs by using dedicated facilities (simulator, ···) Ο commissioning test programs for ensuring that the layout of systems and subcomponents is completed in accordance with the design requirements, the specification performances and the safety criteria. These commissioning tests will also be helpful for transferring the knowledge on the installed systems to the operating group. This paper gives the

From fundamental mode to the PWR type reactors blow off: physical analysis and contribution to the qualification of calculation tools

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Maghnouj, A.

1996-01-01

The work reported in this thesis centres on the resolution of reactor physics problems posed by the use in pressurised water reactors of fuel assemblies containing mixed uranium-plutonium oxide fuel (MOX). The work is essentially dependent on the results of the EPICURE experimental programme carried out between 1988 and 1994 in the reactor EOLE at the Cadarache Research Centre of the CEA. Our contribution to the validation of the computer program APOLLO2 and of its nuclear data library CEA93 shows that this code system satisfactorily calculates the neutronic characteristics of PWR cores. The validation of the experiments has provided useful information concerning the modifications required to be made to the library CEA93, which is based on the basic library of evaluated nuclear data, JEF2. This approach should now be extended to a wider basis of reactor experimental data. The studies of methods for calculating coolant voiding coefficients has made it possible to select suitable methods based on the available deterministic methods of transport theory in 2 ad 3 dimensions. These schemes have given results in satisfactory agreement with the measurements made in EPICURE programme for both local and total coolant voiding. It would now be worth while to validate the chosen methods by comparisons with calculations made using continuous energy Monte Carlo methods. (author)

Application of statistical methods to the testing of nuclear counting assemblies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gilbert, J.P.; Friedling, G.

1965-01-01

This report describes the application of the hypothesis test theory to the control of the 'statistical purity' and of the stability of the counting batteries used for measurements on activation detectors in research reactors. The principles involved and the experimental results obtained at Cadarache on batteries operating with the reactors PEGGY and AZUR are given. (authors) [fr

State of the art on nuclear heating measurement methods and expected improvements in zero power research reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Le Guillou, M.; Gruel, A.; Destouches, C.; Blaise, P.

2017-01-01

The paper focuses on the recent methodological advances suitable for nuclear heating measurements in zero power research reactors. This bibliographical work is part of an experimental approach currently in progress at CEA Cadarache, aiming at optimizing photon heating measurements in low-power research reactors. It provides an overview of the application fields of the most widely used detectors, namely thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) and optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters. Starting from the methodology currently implemented at CEA, the expected improvements relate to the experimental determination of the neutron component, which is a key point conditioning the accuracy of photon heating measurements in mixed n-γ field. A recently developed methodology based on the use of "7Li and "6Li-enriched TLDs, pre-calibrated both in photon and neutron fields, is a promising approach to de-convolute the 2 components of nuclear heating. We also investigate the different methods of optical fiber dosimetry, with a view to assess the feasibility of online photon heating measurements, whose primary benefit is to overcome constraints related to the withdrawal of dosimeters from the reactor immediately after irradiation. Moreover, a fiber-using setup could allow measuring the instantaneous dose rate during irradiation, as well as the delayed photon dose after reactor shutdown. Some insights from potential further developments are given. Obviously, any improvement of the technique has to lead to a measurement uncertainty at least equal to that of the currently used methodology (∼5% at 1 σ). (authors)

State of the art on nuclear heating measurement methods and expected improvements in zero power research reactors

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Le Guillou Mael

2017-01-01

Full Text Available The paper focuses on the recent methodological advances suitable for nuclear heating measurements in zero power research reactors. This bibliographical work is part of an experimental approach currently in progress at CEA Cadarache, aiming at optimizing photon heating measurements in low-power research reactors. It provides an overview of the application fields of the most widely used detectors, namely thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs and optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters. Starting from the methodology currently implemented at CEA, the expected improvements relate to the experimental determination of the neutron component, which is a key point conditioning the accuracy of photon heating measurements in mixed n–γ field. A recently developed methodology based on the use of 7Li and 6Li-enriched TLDs, precalibrated both in photon and neutron fields, is a promising approach to deconvolute the two components of nuclear heating. We also investigate the different methods of optical fiber dosimetry, with a view to assess the feasibility of online photon heating measurements, whose primary benefit is to overcome constraints related to the withdrawal of dosimeters from the reactor immediately after irradiation. Moreover, a fibered setup could allow measuring the instantaneous dose rate during irradiation, as well as the delayed photon dose after reactor shutdown. Some insights from potential further developments are given. Obviously, any improvement of the technique has to lead to a measurement uncertainty at least equal to that of the currently used methodology (∼5% at 1σ.

Materials specific work at Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe and in cooperation with the industrial partners ALKEM and Interatom for the development of nuclear oxide fuels for fission reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kleykamp, H.; Muehling, G.

2005-09-01

The fabrication of uranium-plutonium oxide fuel started in Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe and at ALKEM company to begin for the criticality experiments in the SNEAK reactor and subsequently for stationary fuel pin irradiations in the FR2, BR2, DFR, Rapsodie, Phenix and KNK II reactors. The production methods comprised first the mechanical blending of UO2 and PuO2 followed by direct pressing and sintering of the pellets, later the advanced methods such as optimized comilling and ammonium uranyl plutonyl coprecititation. The fabrication of pellets was described in the main, further the alternative fuel pin manufacturing processes by vibrational compaction and hot-impact densification were discussed. The first capsule and pin irradiations in the FR2 and BR2 reactors contributed to the assessment of the maximum operation parameters within the fuel pin development such as linear heat rating, cladding temperature and burnup. Subsequently, small-bundle and largebundle irradiations were made in fast reactors in cooperation with Interatom company in order to verify the specifications for the commercial fast reactor SNR 300. Milestones were the maximum burnup of 175 GWd/t metal, corresponding 18.6 % of the heavy atoms, obtained in one of the KNK II fuel pin assemblies, and the displacement rates in the cladding materials of 140 dpa NRT attained in the Phenix reactor. Higher implications gained later the stationary irradiations of defected mixed-oxide pins, the mild fuel pin transient operations, the local blockage experiments and the severe hypothetic accidents in the respective Siloe, HFR, BR2 and CABRI reactors. These experiments were made solely in international partnership. Further activities were the chemical analyses of solid residues and coprecipitations of irradiated mixed-oxide fuels in the head-end of the reprocessing. All these actions were coordinated in the then fast breeder project. Furthermore, irradiated fuels and fuel pins of other reactor types were

Scientists from all over the world attend the 2007 - Frederic Joliot/Otto Hahn Summer School on Nuclear Reactors, ''Physics, Fuels and Systems''

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fischer, U.; Sanchez-Espinoza, V.H.

2007-01-01

For more than ten years, the Frederic Joliot/Otto Hahn Summer School has been organized alternately by the Karlsruhe Research Center in Germany and the French Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique (CEA), Cadarache, in France. This year, the Summer School was held at the Center for Advanced Training in Technology and the Environment of the Karlsruhe Research Center on August 29 to September 7. The overarching topic of the event was the sustainability of nuclear power, including topical issues of generation-IV reactor concepts, transmutation and actinide separation, and geologic final storage. Next year's Frederic Joliot/Otto Hahn Summer School will be organized by CEA at Aix-en-Provence together with the Nuclear Safety Research Program of the Karlsruhe Research Center. (orig.)

Towards diagnostics for a fusion reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Costley, A. E.

2009-01-01

The requirements for measurements on modern tokamak fusion plasmas are outlined, and the techniques and systems used to make the measurements, usually referred to as 'diagnostics', are introduced. The basics of three particular diagnostics - magnetics, neutron systems and a laser based optical system - are outlined as examples of modern diagnostic systems, and the implementation of these diagnostics on a current tokamak (JET) are described. The next major step in magnetic confinement fusion is the construction and operation of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), which is a joint project of China, Europe, Japan, India, Korea, the Russian Federation, and the United States. Construction has begun in Cadarache, France. It is expected that ITER will operate at the 500 MW level. Because of the harsh environment in the vacuum vessel where many diagnostic components are located, the development of diagnostics for ITER is a major challenge - arguably the most difficult challenge ever undertaken in the field of diagnostics. The main elements in the diagnostic step are outlined using the three chosen techniques as examples. Finally, the step beyond ITER to a demonstration reactor, DEMO, that is expected to produce several GWs of fusion power is considered and the impact on diagnostics outlined. It is shown that the applicability and development steps needed for the individual diagnostics techniques will differ. The challenges for DEMO diagnostics are substantial and a dedicated effort should be made to find and develop new techniques, and especially techniques appropriate to the DEMO environment. It is argued that the limitations and difficulties in diagnostics should be a consideration in the optimization and designs of DEMO. (author)

Results of tests under normal and abnormal operating conditions concerning LMFBR fuel element behaviour

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Languille, A.; Bergeonneau, P.; Essig, C.; Guerin, Y.

1985-04-01

The objective of this paper is to improve the knowledge on LMFBR fuel element behaviour during protected and unprotected transients in RAPSODIE and PHENIX reactors in order to evaluate its reliability. The range of the tests performed in these reactors is sufficiently large to cover normal and also extreme off normal conditions such as fuel melting. Results of such tests allow to better establish transient design limits for reactor structural components in particular for fuel pin cladding which play a lead role in controlling the accident sequence. Three main topics are emphasized in this paper: fuel melting during slow over-power excursions; influence of the fuel element geometrical evolution on reactivity feedback effects and reactor dynamic behaviour; clad damage evaluation during a transient (essentially very severe loss of flow)

Development and manufacturing of special fission chambers for in-core measurement requirements in nuclear reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Geslot, B.; Berhouet, F.; Oriol, L.; Breaud, S.; Jammes, C.; Filliatre, P.; Villard, J. F.

2009-01-01

The Dosimetry Command control and Instrumentation Laboratory (LDCI) at CEA/Cadarache is specialized in the development, design and manufacturing of miniature fission chambers (from 8 mm down to 1.5 mm in diameter). The LDCI fission chambers workshop specificity is its capacity to manufacture and distribute special fission chambers with fissile deposits other than U 235 (typically Pu 242 , Np 237 , U 238 , Th 232 ). We are also able to define the characteristics of the detector for any in-core measurement requirements: sensor geometry, fissile deposit material and mass, filling gas composition and pressure, operating mode (pulse, current or Campbelling) with associated cable and electronics. The fission chamber design relies on numerical simulation and modeling tools developed by the LDCI. One of our present activities in fission chamber applications is to develop a fast neutron flux instrumentation using Campbelling mode dedicated to measurements in material testing reactors. (authors)

The reactor Cabri; La pile cabri

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ailloud, J; Millot, J P [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Cadarache (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

It has become necessary to construct in France a reactor which would permit the investigation of the conditions of functioning of future installations, the choice, the testing and the development of safety devices to be adopted. A water reactor of a type corresponding to the latest CEA constructions in the field of laboratory or university reactors was decided upon: it appeared important to be able to evaluate the risks entailed and to study the possibilities of increasing the power, always demanded by the users; on the other hand, it is particularly interesting to clarify the phenomena of power oscillation and the risks of burn out. The work programme for CABRI will be associated with the work carried out on the American Sperts of the same type, during its construction, very useful contacts were made with the American specialists who designed the se reactors. A brief description of the reactor is given in the communication as well as the work programme for the first years with respect to the objectives up to now envisaged. Rough description of the reactor. CABRI is an open core swimming-pool reactor without any lateral protection, housed in a reinforced building with controlled leakage, in the Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Cadarache. It lies alone in the middle of an area whose radius is 300 meters long. Control and measurements equipment stand out on the edge of that zone. It consumes MTR fuel elements. The control-safety rods are propelled by compressed air. The maximum flow rate of cooling circuit is 1500 m{sup 3}/h. Transient measurements are recorded in a RW330 unit. Aims and work programme. CABRI is meant for: - studies on the safety of water reactors - for the definition of the safety margins under working conditions: research of maximum power at which a swimming-pool reactor may operate with respect to a cooling accident, of local boiling effect on the nuclear behaviour of the reactor, performances of the control and safety instruments under exceptional

Third session: new projects; Session 3: Les Projets nouveaux

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Iracane, D. [CEA Saclay, Dir. de l' Energie Nucleaire (DEN), 91 - Gif sur Yvette (France); Dupuy, J.P. [AREVA-Technicatome, 13 - Aix en Provence (France); Perotto, G. [AREVA-Framatome-ANP, 13 - Aix en Provence (France); Ithurralde, G. [Electricite de France (EDF), 13 - Aix en Provence (France); Cabrillat, J.C. [CEA Cadarache, Dir. de l' Energie Nucleaire (DEN), 13 - Saint-Paul-lez-Durance (France); Becle, D. [FRAMATOME, AREVA-FANP, 69 - Lyon (France); Pivet, S. [CEA Bruyeres-le-Chatel, 91 (France); Minguet, J.L. [AREVA-Technicatome, 75 - Paris (France)

2005-07-01

The RJH (Jules Horowitz reactor) is a 100 MWth research reactor, cooled and moderated by water, that has been designed to operate with high density (8 g U/cm{sup 3}) and low enrichment fuel (19.75%) uranium molybdenum fuel. Its main neutron performances are expected to be: -) maximum fast neutron flux (E > 0.907 MeV) in the sample: 5.10{sup 14} n/cm{sup 2}/s, -) maximum thermal neutron flux (E < 0.625 eV): 4.10{sup 14} n/cm{sup 2}/s, and -) maximal neutron damage: 16 dpa/year. RJH that will be built on the Cea's site of Cadarache, is scheduled to enter into service in 2014, it will take over the activities of the Osiris reactor and its operating life is planned to be over 50 years long. The Cabri research reactor is located on the Cadarache site, it has been operating since 1962 and is now undergoing important upgrading operations whose aim is to make the facility fit to study the behaviour of new nuclear fuels in accidental situations. The RES test reactor is a facility whose aim is to qualify nuclear fuels and core configurations of existing propulsion reactors onboard of aircraft carriers or submarines and to propose innovative concepts for future propulsion reactors. (A.C.)

Preliminary study on application of Pd composite membrane in helium purification system of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cai Jianhua; Yang Xiaoyong; Wang Jie; Yu Suyuan

2008-01-01

Helium purification system (HPS) is the main part of the helium auxiliary system of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGR), also in fusion reactors. Some exploratory work was carried out on the application of Pd composite membrane in the separation of He and H 2 . A typical single stripper permeator with recycle (SSP) system was designed, based on the design parameters of a small scale He purification test system CIGNE in CADARACHE, CEA, France, and finite element analysis method was used to solve the model. The total length of membrane module is fixed to 0.5 m. The results show that the concentration of H 2 is found to reduce from 1 000 μL/L in feed gas to 5 μL/L in the product He (the upper limitation of HPS in HTGR). And the molar ratio of product He to feed gas is 96.18% with the optimized ratio of sweep gas to retentive gas 0. 3970. It's an exponential distribution of H 2 concentration along the membrane module. The results were also compared with the other two popular designs, two stripper in series permeator (TSSP) and continuous membrane column (CMC). (authors)

The CEA program on boiling noise detection

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Le Guillou, G.; Brunet, M.; Girard, J.P.; Flory, D.

1982-01-01

The research program on the application of noise analysis on boiling detection in a fast subassembly began 10 years ago at the CEA, mainly in the Nuclear Center of Cadarache. Referring exclusively to the aspects of premature detection of the boiling phenomenon it can be said that this program is organized around the following three detection techniques: acoustic noise analysis; neutron noise analysis; temperature noise analysis. Its development is in conjunction with in-pile experiments in Phenix or Rapsodie as well as 'ex-pile' (boiling experiments through electric heating). Three detection techniques were developed independent of each other, but that they were regrouped during the execution of the most important experiments and with the 'Super Phenix' project. The noise analysis system ANABEL with which Superphenix will be equipped with shows the industrial interest in detection methods based on noises. One of the results of the CEA program today is the possibility to evaluate the potential capacity for boiling detection in the subassembly. But in order to obtain the necessary funds from the commercial nuclear plant operators it is mandatory to have successful demonstrations which will be the objective of the future program

LMFBR plant parameters

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1985-07-01

This document has been prepared on the basis of information compiled by the members of the IAEA International Working Group on Fast Reactors (IWGFR). It contains parameters of 25 experimental, prototype and commercial size liquid metal fast breeder reactors (LMFBR). Most of the reactors are currently in operation, under construction or in an advanced planning stage. Parameters of the Clinch River Breeder Reactor (USA) are presented because its design was nearly finished and most of the components were fabricated at the time when the project was terminated. Three reactors (RAPSODIE (France), DFR (UK) and EFFBR (USA)) have been shut down. However, they are included in the report because of their important role in the development of LMFBR technology from first LMFBRs to the prototype size fast reactors. The first LMFBRs (CLEMENTINE (USA), EBR-1 (USA), BR-2 (USSR), BR-5 (USSR)) and very special reactors (LAMPRE (USA), SEFOR (USA)) were not recommended by the members of the IWGFR to be included in the report

Conceptual integrated approach for the magnet system of a tokamak reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Duchateau, J.-L.; Hertout, P.; Saoutic, B.; Artaud, J.-F.; Zani, L.; Reux, C.

2014-01-01

Highlights: • We give a conceptual approach of a fusion reactor magnet system based on analytical formula. • We give design criteria for the CS and TF cable in conduit conductors and for the magnet system structural description. • We apply this conceptual approach to ITER and we crosscheck with actual characteristics. • We apply this conceptual approach to a possible version of DEMO. - Abstract: In the framework of the reflexion about DEMO, a conceptual integrated approach for the magnet system of a tokamak reactor is presented. This objective is reached using analytical formulas which are presented in this paper, coupled to a Fortran code ESCORT (Electromagnetic Superconducting System for the Computation of Research Tokamaks), to be integrated into SYCOMORE, a code for reactor modelling presently in development at CEA/IRFM in Cadarache, using the tools of the EFDA Integrated Tokamak Modelling task force. The analytical formulas deal with all aspects of the magnet system, starting from the derivation of the TF system general geometry, from the plasma main characteristics. The design criteria for the cable current density and the structural design of the toroidal field and central solenoid systems are presented, enabling to deliver the radial thicknesses of the magnets and enabling also to estimate the plasma duration of the plateau. As a matter of fact, a pulsed version DEMO is presently actively considered in the European programmes. Considerations regarding the cryogenics and the protection are given, affecting the general design. An application of the conceptual approach is presented, allowing a comparison between ESCORT output data and actual ITER parameters and giving the main characteristics of a possible version for DEMO

Instrumentation for Sodium Circuits; Instrumentation des Circuits de Sodium

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cambillard, E. [CEA, Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires de Fontenay-aux-Roses (France); Lions, N. [CEA, Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires de Cadarache (France)

1967-06-15

Electromagnetic flow meters, level gauges and differential pressure gauges are among the main measurement instruments designed and tested at the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique (CEA) for sodium reactors. The main characteristics of the flow meters used with RAPSODIE are indicated. The instruments used in this connection are of the permanent -magnet or electromagnet type (in the primary circuits). A description is given of the calibration methods employed - use is made of diaphragms or Venturi tubes as standard flow meters - and information is given on the results measured for maximum sodium flows of 400 m{sup 3}/h. Three types of continuous level gauge have been studied. Resistance gauge. Two varieties used for the 1 - and 10-MW test circuits of RAPSODIE are described. In one there is a compensation resistance along the whole height of the measuring element (the continuous gauges used with the RAPSODIE reactor are at present of this type). In the other type of gauge a device is incorporated to heat the measurement element and prevent the formation of conducting deposits (prototype sodium tests have been completed). Induction gauge. This type has two coupled coils and is fitted with a device to compensate for temperature effects. A description is given of a prototype which has been built and the results obtained in the course of sodium tests are described. Ultrasonic gauge. With this type, a transmitter is fitted on top of the outside of the sodium container; there is also a vertical wave guide, the bottom of which is immersed in the liquid metal and possesses a reflector system which returns the ultrasonic beam towards the surface. Fixed reference marks provide a permanent means of calibration and the whole apparatus is welded. This type of gauge is now being constructed. The differential pressure gauges that have been built, and used in particular with Venturi tube flow meters, are modified versions of the devices employed with the 1 - and 10-MW test circuits of

Development and qualification of reference calculation schemes for absorbers in pressured water reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Blanc-Tranchant, P.

2001-01-01

The general field in which this work takes place is the field of the accuracy improvement of neutronic calculations, required to operate Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) with a better precision and a lower cost. More specifically, this thesis deals with the calculation of the absorber clusters used to control these reactors. The first aim of that work was to define and validate a reference calculation route of such an absorber cluster, based on the deterministic code APOLLO2. This calculation scheme was then to be checked against experimental data. This study of the complex situation of absorber clusters required several intermediate studies, of simpler problems, such as the study of fuel rods lattices and the study of single absorber rods (B4C, AIC, Hafnium) isolated in such lattices. Each one of these different studies led to a particular reference calculation route. All these calculation routes were developed against reference continuous energy Monte-Carlo calculations, carried out with the stochastic code TRIPOLI4. They were then checked against experimental data measured during French experimental programs, undertaken within the EOLE experimental reactor, at the Nuclear Research Center of Cadarache: the MISTRAL experiments for the study of isolated absorber rods and the EPICURE experiments for the study of absorber clusters. This work led to important improvements in the calculation of isolated absorbers and absorber clusters. The reactivity worth of these clusters in particular, can now be obtained with a great accuracy: the discrepancy observed between the calculated and the experimental values is less than 2.5 %, and then slightly lower than the experimental uncertainty. (author)

The CABRI facility: Implementation of a pressurized water loop and related safety review

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cabrillat, J.C.; Maegey, M.; Bourguignon, D.; Miachon, G.; Forestier, F.; Coulon, J.P.; Faury, M.

2003-01-01

The CABRI reactor operated by CEA at the CADARACHE Nuclear Center in France provided the condition for safety studies on nuclear fuel. Initially designed to support investigations on Fast Reactor fuel, large modifications are underway to provide representative conditions for studies on Light Water Fuel types. A general overview of these modifications, the related safety review and supporting studies are described in the paper. (author)

Gas-cooled fast reactors. Motivation and presentation of the ENIGMA program in the MASURCA experimental critical facility

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tommasi, Jean; Jacqmin, Robert; Mellier, Frederic

2005-01-01

This paper describes a new experimental physics program in support of gas cooled fast reactor (GCFR) design studies, called ENIGMA, to be performed in the MASURCA critical facility at CEA-Cadarache, France. The prospective GCFR design studies at CEA are presented, as well as the specific neutronics features needing an extension of the validation of calculation tools and nuclear data. The relevant existing experiments are briefly reviewed and the need for new experimental data is pointed out. The first phase of the proposed new experiments includes a reference core with a representative spectrum, and a series of central core substitutions involving spectrum shifts, streaming studies, low-grade Pu substitutions, innovative material (Si, Zr) substitutions. Reflector substitution zones will include elements foreseen for the reflectors (Si, Zr, C). Subsequent phases will involve larger amounts of low-grade Pu or innovative materials, and configurations representative of experimental and demonstration GCFRs. (author)

Development and manufacturing of special fission chambers for in-core measurement requirements in nuclear reactors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Geslot, B.; Berhouet, F.; Oriol, L.; Breaud, S.; Jammes, C.; Filliatre, P.; Villard, J. F. [CEA, DEN, Dosimetry Command Control and Instrumentation Laboratory, F-13109 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance (France)

2009-07-01

The Dosimetry Command control and Instrumentation Laboratory (LDCI) at CEA/Cadarache is specialized in the development, design and manufacturing of miniature fission chambers (from 8 mm down to 1.5 mm in diameter). The LDCI fission chambers workshop specificity is its capacity to manufacture and distribute special fission chambers with fissile deposits other than U{sup 235} (typically Pu{sup 242}, Np{sup 237}, U{sup 238}, Th{sup 232}). We are also able to define the characteristics of the detector for any in-core measurement requirements: sensor geometry, fissile deposit material and mass, filling gas composition and pressure, operating mode (pulse, current or Campbelling) with associated cable and electronics. The fission chamber design relies on numerical simulation and modeling tools developed by the LDCI. One of our present activities in fission chamber applications is to develop a fast neutron flux instrumentation using Campbelling mode dedicated to measurements in material testing reactors. (authors)

HORUS3D/TH: thermal-hydraulic modelling of the Jules Horowitz reactor core with FLICA4

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Royer, E.; Gregoire, O.; Magnaud, J.P.; Roux, L.; Masson, X.

2007-01-01

Cea is planning to build a new pool type reactor as irradiation facility in Cadarache, France: the Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR). For this purpose, a simulation program is carried out at Cea: HORUS3D, aimed at modeling neutronics, radio-protection and thermal-hydraulics. Advanced features of the thermal-hydraulics component of this simulation program (HORUS3D/TH) are presented in the paper. HORUS3D/TH is based on the FLICA4 thermalhydraulic code. Numerically the main features of HORUS3D/TH are unstructured mesh grids and non-conform mappings. From a phenomenological point of view, flows under study range from high velocity forced convection to natural convection regimes. Steady and transient regimes have been simulated. The validation of physical models used is an important part of HORUS3D project. For thermohydraulics, this validation relies on the SULTAN-RJH experimental facility and fine scale CFD simulations. We have shown in this paper that it is possible to calibrate the macroscopic heat exchange correlation in the forced convection regime and under very high heat fluxes thanks to low Reynolds fine scale calculations. We particularly underline how to cope with the difficulties due to the complex geometry (cylindrical fuel assemblies, made of curved plates) and very high pressure drops and heat fluxes

Mistral: a program in collaboration with Japan

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cabrillat, J.C.

1997-01-01

The MISTRAL (MOX investigation of Systems which are Technically Relevant of Advanced Light water reactors) experimental program is performed with the Eole reactor at Cadarache (France) in the framework of a collaboration between the CEA, Electricite de France (EdF), Framatome and the NUPEC Japanese organism. This low power experimental reactor is devoted to critical dimensioning configuration tests of light water reactor cores fueled exclusively with mixed uranium-plutonium oxide (MOX) fuels. This program follows the previous EPICURE program devoted to the study of partial MOX fueling of PWR cores. (J.S.)

Hearing of Mr Bernard Bigot, general administrator of the Atomic Energy Commissariat (CEA), on the CEA missions and on Cadarache events

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2009-01-01

In this hearing by the Sustainable Development and Land Planning Commission of the French National Assembly, the role and missions of the CEA are presented while evoking its relationship with the State. The CEA representative evokes the various research activities in three main domains: energy, defence, information and health technologies. Then, he discusses the problem of the ageing and dismantling of some installations, notably in the plutonium Technology workshop (ATPu) in Cadarache. He describes this installation, the processes in which it is involved, the safety and security requirements, and comments the problem which occurred in this workshop (plutonium retention in glove boxes). Then he answers several questions asked by the Commission members about the way the CEA handled this incident, and about its severity. Other aspects are addressed like the importance of the nuclear industry and the role the CEA could have in the management of renewable energies at the national level

LMFBR plant parameters 1991

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1991-03-01

The document has been prepared on the basis of information provided by the members of the IAEA International Working Group on Fast Reactors (IWGFR). It contains updated parameters of 27 experimental, prototype and commercial size liquid metal fast breeder reactors (LMFBRs). Most of the reactors are currently in operation, under construction or in an advanced planning stage. Parameters of the Clinch River Breeder Reactor (USA), PEC (Italy), RAPSODIE (France), DFR (UK) and EFFBR (USA) are included in the report because of their important role in the development of LMFBR technology from first LMFBRs to the prototype size fast reactors. Two more reactors appeared in the list: European Fast Reactor (EFR) and PRISM (USA). Parameters of these reactors included in this publication are based on the data from the papers presented at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the IWGFR. All in all more than four hundred corrections and additions have been made to update the document. The report is intended for specialists and institutions in industrialized and developing countries who are responsible for the design and operation of liquid metal fast breeder reactors

The reactor Cabri; La pile cabri

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ailloud, J.; Millot, J.P. [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Cadarache (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

It has become necessary to construct in France a reactor which would permit the investigation of the conditions of functioning of future installations, the choice, the testing and the development of safety devices to be adopted. A water reactor of a type corresponding to the latest CEA constructions in the field of laboratory or university reactors was decided upon: it appeared important to be able to evaluate the risks entailed and to study the possibilities of increasing the power, always demanded by the users; on the other hand, it is particularly interesting to clarify the phenomena of power oscillation and the risks of burn out. The work programme for CABRI will be associated with the work carried out on the American Sperts of the same type, during its construction, very useful contacts were made with the American specialists who designed the se reactors. A brief description of the reactor is given in the communication as well as the work programme for the first years with respect to the objectives up to now envisaged. Rough description of the reactor. CABRI is an open core swimming-pool reactor without any lateral protection, housed in a reinforced building with controlled leakage, in the Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Cadarache. It lies alone in the middle of an area whose radius is 300 meters long. Control and measurements equipment stand out on the edge of that zone. It consumes MTR fuel elements. The control-safety rods are propelled by compressed air. The maximum flow rate of cooling circuit is 1500 m{sup 3}/h. Transient measurements are recorded in a RW330 unit. Aims and work programme. CABRI is meant for: - studies on the safety of water reactors - for the definition of the safety margins under working conditions: research of maximum power at which a swimming-pool reactor may operate with respect to a cooling accident, of local boiling effect on the nuclear behaviour of the reactor, performances of the control and safety instruments under

Speech by Prime Minister Francois Fillon. Visit of the Jules Horowitz experimental reactor works on the Commissariat a l'Energie et aux Energies Alternatives site. Cadarache, May 3, 2010

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2010-01-01

In this speech, the French Prime Minister evokes the present context, the importance of strategic technologies, and the challenge of investing in these technologies within a context of reduction of public expenses. He comments the decision of his government to finance research and education activities in different domains, and more specifically in the energy sector with this fourth generation Jules Horowitz experimental reactor. He recalls that the nuclear sector has always been very important to the eyes of the successive French governments, and outlines how this reactor will contribute to reactor operational optimization, lifetime extension and safety, nuclear fuel development, etc.

GENEPI

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Albrand, S.; Belmont, J.L.; Bouly, J.L.; Brouchon, M.; Brunet, J.; Cabanel, T.; Campillo, G.; Carcagno, Y.; Carreta, J.M.; De Conto, J.M.; Fontenille, A.; Fourel, C.; Fruneau, M.; Guisset, M.; Jullien, M.; Laborie, G.; Lombard, M.L.; Luffroy, M.; Malacour, J.C.; Marchand, D.; Marton, M.; Michel, C.; Micoud, R.; Moya, A.; Perbet, E.; Petryszyn, G.; Planet, M.; Ravel, J.C.; Richaud, J.P.; Roisin, M.

1997-01-01

The ISN has developed a generator of intense neutron pulses. It will be used for part of the research program on hybrid reactors, both at the MASURCA nuclear reactor of CEA at Cadarache, and at the ISN. The structure of GENEPI accelerator is described. Details are given on the duoplasmatron ion source, extraction and focalization electrodes, electrostatic accelerator, the spectrometer magnet, ion guide, target, and the system of control and testing

Elaboration and qualification of a reference calculation routes for the absorbers in the PWR reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Blanc-Tranchant, P.

1999-11-01

The general field in which this work takes place is the field of the accuracy improvement of neutronic calculations, required to operate Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) with a better precision and a lower cost. More specifically, this thesis deals with the calculation of the absorber clusters used to control these reactors. The first aim of that work was to define and validate a reference calculation route of such an absorber cluster, based on the deterministic code Apollo 2. This calculation scheme was then to be checked against experimental data. This study of the complex situation of absorber clusters required several intermediate studies, of simpler problems, such as the study of fuel rods lattices and the study of single absorber rods (B 4 C, AIC, Hafnium) isolated in such lattices. Each one of these different studies led to a particular reference calculation route. All these calculation routes were developed against reference continuous energy Monte-Carlo calculations, carried out with the stochastic code TRIPOLI14. They were then checked against experimental data measured during french experimental programs, undertaken within the EOLE experimental reactor, at the Nuclear Research Center of Cadarache: the MISTRAL experiments for the study of isolated absorber rods and the EPICURE experiments for the study of absorber clusters. This work led to important improvements in the calculation of isolated absorbers and absorber clusters. The reactivity worth of these clusters in particular, can now be obtained with a great accuracy: the discrepancy observed between the calculated and the experimental values is less than 2.5 %, and then slightly lower than the experimental uncertainty. (author)

Neutron measurements in the core and blankets of the reactor Rapsodie

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gourdon, J.; Edeline, J.C.

1968-01-01

Beside a brief general discussion, the report contains all the core and blanket neutronic measurements. It covers successively the methods, the measurements themselves and the results. The later concern: spectral indexes, axial and radial fission rates, activation foil measurements and neutronic power determination. (authors) [fr

GENEPI; GENEPI

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Albrand, S; Belmont, J L; Bouly, J L; Brouchon, M; Brunet, J; Cabanel, T; Campillo, G; Carcagno, Y; Carreta, J M; De Conto, J M; Fontenille, A; Fourel, C; Fruneau, M; Guisset, M; Jullien, M; Laborie, G; Lombard, M L; Luffroy, M; Malacour, J C; Marchand, D; Marton, M; Michel, C; Micoud, R; Moya, A; Perbet, E; Petryszyn, G; Planet, M; Ravel, J C; Richaud, J P; Roisin, M [Inst. des Sciences Nucleaires, Grenoble-1 Univ., 38 (France)

1998-12-31

The ISN has developed a generator of intense neutron pulses. It will be used for part of the research program on hybrid reactors, both at the MASURCA nuclear reactor of CEA at Cadarache, and at the ISN. The structure of GENEPI accelerator is described. Details are given on the duoplasmatron ion source, extraction and focalization electrodes, electrostatic accelerator, the spectrometer magnet, ion guide, target, and the system of control and testing 1 fig.

RERTR programme. French situation in 1996

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Guidez, J.; Ballagny, A.

1996-01-01

This paper summarizes the status of the RERTR Programme in France in 1996. The reactors which are affected by the RERTR Programme are those that consume a considerable amount of fuel. These are the neutron beam reactors Orphee (at Saclay) and RHF (at Grenoble) and the irradiation reactors Osiris (at Saclay) and Siloe (at Grenoble). Plans to construct a new 100 MW, multi-purpose MTR reactor using LEU fuel at the Atomic Research Center at Cadarache are described. Two main topics of fuel research and development are summarized: (1) improving knowledge on the reference silicide fuel, including optimization of the manufacturing process, thermal properties, behavior with cladding failure, etc., and (2) research into low-enriched uranium fuel with a higher U-235 content in order to limit fuel assembly consumption and to improve performance levels. Tests planned in the research and development programme for the silicide fuel are tabulated. The fuel cycle option adopted by the CEA to get rid of spent fuel elements is reprocessing. The 'Caramel' fuel elements consumed in the Osiris reactor until 1995 are currently being reprocessed in CEA facilities at Marcoule. The UAl and UAlx fuel elements irradiated in Siloe and Orphee are currently being reprocessed in the Cogema facilities at Marcoule (Plant UP1). However, the U3Si2 fuel elements irradiated in the Osiris reactor since 1995 will be progressively sent to interim storage dry facilities located at Cadarache. (author)

Structural behaviour of fuel assemblies for water cooled reactors. Proceedings of a technical meeting

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2005-07-01

At the invitation of the Government of France and in response to a proposal of the IAEA Technical Working Group on Water Reactor Fuel Performance and Technology (TWGFPT), the IAEA convened a Technical Meeting on Fuel Assembly Structural Behaviour in Cadarache, France, from 22 to 26 November 2004. The meeting was hosted by the CEA Cadarache Centre, AREVA Framatome-ANP and Electricite de France. The meeting aimed to provide in depth technical exchanges on PWR and WWER operational experience in the field of fuel assembly mechanical behaviour and the potential impact of future high burnup fuel management on fuel reliability. It addressed in-service experience and remedial solutions, loop testing experience, qualification and damage assessment methods (analytic or experimental ones), mechanical behaviour of the fuel assembly including dynamic and fluid structure interaction aspects, modelling and numerical analysis methods, and impact of the in-service evolution of the structural materials. Sixty-seven participants from 17 countries presented 30 papers in the course of four sessions. The topics covered included the impact of hydraulic loadings on fuel assembly (FA)performance, FA bow and control rod (CR) drop kinetics, vibrations and rod-to-grid wear and fretting, and, finally, evaluation and modelling of accident conditions, mainly from seismic causes. FA bow, CR drop kinetics and hydraulics are of great importance under conditions of higher fuel duties including burnup increase, thermal uprates and longer fuel cycles. Vibrations and rod-to-grid wear and fretting have been identified as a key cause of fuel failure at PWRs during the past several years. The meeting demonstrated that full-scale hydraulic tests and modelling provide sufficient information to develop remedies to increase FA skeleton resistance to hydraulic loads, including seismic ones, vibrations and wear. These proceedings are presented as a book with an attached CD-ROM. The first part of the CD

The use and evolution of the CEA research reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rossillon, F.; Chauvez, C.

1964-01-01

organic liquids under irradiation. The equipments of Melusine are now being modernized. Siloe, another swimming-pool reactor, has been operating at 15 MW since the end of 1963. The performances achieved constitute a considerable progress in the field of swimming-pool reactors, since the fluxes obtained with Siloe are in the same order of magnitude than those which needed till now a tank type structure, whose numerous disadvantages in the fitting of experiments are well known. Siloe will be used mostly in the study of structural materials, graphites, refractory fissile materials, and for solid state physics. The reactor Pegase, in service in the Cadarache Nuclear Centre since 1963, is intended solely for testing full-scale fuel elements of EDF and EL 4 types. The current programme, for the eight loops of the reactor, covers the elements for the reactors EDF 2, EDF 3 and EL 4. New loops are in the course of being studied for the fuel elements of the EDF 4 and EDF 5 reactors. The general line of the CEA programmes has shown up the considerable need for fast neutron irradiations. The reactor Osiris which is in the course of being constructed will serve to complement the CEA's equipment in this field and at the same time fill the gap which will be left in the near future in the Centre de Saclay by the closing down of EL 2. Osiris is a light water reactor whose special structure will allow it to function at 50 MW without the disadvantages usually associated with the presence of a heavy waterproof tank. This reactor, which should be put into service in 1966, is mainly intended for the investigation of structural materials, graphite and refractory fuels; it will also serve to increase the production of high specific activity isotopes, and to develop activation analysis techniques. (authors) [fr

Fast reactor development program in France in 1997

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Langrand, J.C.; Hubert, G.; Marmonier, P.; Del Negro, R.; Saint-Arroman, G.; Coulon, P.; Mesnage, B.; Pillon, S.; Lefevre, J.C.

1998-01-01

, in spite of the availability of one and half core. This decision leads to drop the >. The Capra program was reoriented. Now, emphasis is put on burning the minor actinides (MA) and long-lived fusion products (LLFP), which answers the French 1991 law on radioactive wastes; as a consequence, the experimental programme proposed for Phenix is mainly devoted to this objective. This report presents also the status of Rapsodie, and the main achievements on the R and D programme on fast reactors. (author)

Hearing, open to the press, of Ms Anne Lauvergeon, chairwoman of the AREVA board of management, on the company's activities and strategy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2010-01-01

During the hearing, the chairwoman of AREVA's board of management answered questions about some events which occurred in Cadarache (plutonium retention in a plutonium workshop), and about the international strategy of AREVA. First, she outlines that this strategy is based on 'zero CO 2 ' objective. Thus, she evokes the various nuclear reactors her company proposes all over the world, the rather strong position in the biomass sector (transformation of vegetal wastes in electricity) in important countries, the activities in fuel cell technology and in wind energy production. She gives an assessment of the obtained security level in terms of number of accidents per million of working hours. She comments the reactions after the Cadarache incident. Then, she answers questions about these different issues

IRPhE/STEK, Reactor Physics Experiments from Fast-Thermal Coupled Facility

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dietze, Klaus; Klippel, Henk Th.; Koning, Arjan; Jacqmin, Robert

2003-01-01

1 - Description: The STEK-experiments have been performed to check neutron data of the most important reactor materials, especially of fission product nuclides, fuel isotopes and structural materials. The measured central reactivity worths (CRW) of small samples were compared with calculated values. These C/E-ratios have been used then for data corrections or in adjustment procedures. The reactors STEK (ECN Petten/ Netherlands) was a fast-thermal coupled facility of zero power. The annular thermal drivers were filled by fuel assemblies and moderated by water. The inner insertion lattices were loaded with pellets of fuel and other materials producing the fast neutron flux. The characteristics of the neutron and adjoint spectra were obtained by special arrangements of these pellets in unit cells. In this way, a hard or soft neutron spectrum or a special energy behavior of the adjoint function could be reached. The samples were moved by means of tubes to the central position (pile-oscillation technique). The original information about the facility and measurements is compiled in RCN-209, ECN-10 The 5 STEK configurations cover a broad energy range due to their increasing softness. The experiments are very valuable because of the extensive program of sample reactivity measurements with many fission product nuclides important in reactor burn-up calculations. At first, analyses of the experiments have been performed in Petten. Newer analyses were done later in Cadarache / CEA France using the European scheme for reactor calculation JEF-2.2 / ECCO / ERANOS (see Note Techniques and JEF/DOC-746). Furthermore, re-analyses were performed in O-arai / JNC Japan with the JNC standard route JENDL-3.2 / SLAROM / CITATION / PERKY. Results obtained with both code systems and different data evaluations (JEF-2.2 and JENDL-3.2) are compared in JEF/DOC-861. It contains the following documents: 31 Reports, 2 publications, 5 JEF documents, 4 conferences. 2 - Related or auxiliary programs

Research reactor status for future nuclear research in Europe

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Raymond, Patrick; Bignan, Gilles; Guidez, Joel [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique - CEA (France)

2010-07-01

construction on the Cadarache site. Other projects as PALLAS, MYRRHA, ASTRID are described. We have to pinpoint the fact that these research reactors are more and more international reactors used as international user's platform. Now 13 counties are operating the ILL in Grenoble, and for the future JHR under construction, 10 countries are now part of the consortium. (authors)

Research reactor status for future nuclear research in Europe

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Raymond, Patrick; Bignan, Gilles; Guidez, Joel

2010-01-01

renaissance is effective worldwide, with 33 power plants today under construction in the world and a lot of projects in discussion or in preparation in various countries (England, Italy, South Africa, USA...). In Europe, some countries, who phase-out the development nuclear energy, are also coming back in nuclear perspectives as Sweden, Italy, England, Poland,.. All these facts begin to give more work to the MTR (material testing reactors) for testing new materials and new fuels to improve their capacities and their performances. For the ZPR (Zero Power Reactors) test with new fuels allowing additives to suppress Bore utilisation, or allowing to reduce uranium consumption, will be necessary in the near future. For the safety dedicated reactors, test for compliance to last safety requirements are necessary. In this field the refurbishment of the CABRI reactor for Reactivity Insertion Accident studies, is now almost finished for test that should begin in 2010. For the radio isotope production the world demand is increasing year after year, especially for 99 Mo, used in about 70 millions of medicine procedures each year in the world. Today 95% of this world production is assumed by five reactors: HFR (Netherlands), OSIRIS (France), SAFARI (South Africa), BRII (Belgium), and NRU (Canada). The youngest is OSIRIS (41 years) and should be close in 2015. Due to ageing problems NRU and HFR were shut down in 2009 for necessary repair. These points have conduced to some radio isotopes crisis in 2009. This paper explains some projects in line for the future to avoid this type of problems (FRMII initiative, RJH utilisation and PALLAS project). For training activities, needs are huge with nuclear renaissance, especially for the new countries coming back in nuclear field. It will also give a lot of opportunities to low power reactors and to the universities reactors. This paper also provides information on the status of the new projects such as the JHR ongoing construction on the Cadarache

Contribution of prototypic material tests on the Plinius platform to the study of nuclear reactor severe accident; Contribution des essais en materiaux prototypiques sur la plate-forme Plinius a l'etude des accidents graves de reacteurs nucleaires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Journeau, Ch

2008-01-15

The PLINIUS experimental platform at CEA Cadarache is dedicated to the experimental study of nuclear reactor severe accidents thanks to experiments between 2000 and 3500 K with prototypic corium. Corium is the mixture that would be formed by an hypothetical core melting and its mixing with structural materials. Prototypical corium has the same chemical composition as the corium corresponding to a given accident scenario but has a different isotopic composition (use of depleted uranium,...). Research programs and test series have been performed to study corium thermophysical properties, fission product behaviour, corium spreading, solidification and interaction with concrete as well as its coolability. It was the frame of research training of many students and was realized within national, European and international collaborations. (author)

Actinide and fission product partitioning and transmutation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1995-07-01

The third international information exchange meeting on actinide and fission product partitioning and transmutation, took place in Cadarache France, on 12-14 December 1994. The proceedings are presented in six sessions : an introduction session, the major programmes and international cooperation, the systems studies, the reactors fuels and targets, the chemistry and a last discussions session. (A.L.B.)

Fission and corrosion products behavior in primary circuits of LMFBR's

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Feuerstein, H.; Thorley, A.W.

1987-08-01

Most of the 20 presented papers report items belonging to more than one session. The equipment results of primary circuits of LMFBR's relative to corrosion and fission products, release and chemistry of fuel, measurement techniques and analytical procedures of sodium sampling, difficulties with radionuclides and particles, reactor experiences with EBR-II, FFTF, BR10, BOR60, BN350, BN600, JOYO, and KNK-II, DFR, PFR, RAPSODIE, PHENIX, and SUPERPHENIX, and at least the verification of codes for calculation models of radioactive products accumulation and distribution are described. All 20 papers presented at the meeting are separately indexed in the database. (DG)

Isotropic nuclear graphites; the effect of neutron irradiation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lore, J.; Buscaillon, A.; Mottet, P.; Micaud, G.

1977-01-01

Several isotropic graphites have been manufactured using different forming processes and fillers such as needle coke, regular coke, or pitch coke. Their properties are described in this paper. Specimens of these products have been irradiated in the fast reactor Rapsodie between 400 to 1400 0 C, at fluences up to 1,7.10 21 n.cm -2 PHI.FG. The results show an isotropic behavior under neutron irradiation, but the induced dimensional changes are higher than those of isotropic coke graphites although they are lower than those of conventional extruded graphites made with the same coke

The Jules Horowitz reactor: complementary safety evaluation in the light of the Fukushima 1 nuclear power station accident

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2011-01-01

This report proposes a complementary safety evaluation of the Jules Horowitz reactor in Cadarache (INB 172), one of the French basic nuclear installations (BNI, in French INB) in the light of the Fukushima accident. This evaluation takes the following risks into account: risks of flooding, earthquake, loss of power supply and loss of cooling, in addition to operational management of accident situations. It presents the main characteristics of the installation, identifies the risks of a cliff effect and the main structures and equipment, evaluates the seismic risk (installation sizing, installation conformity, margin evaluation), evaluates the flooding risk (installation sizing, installation conformity, margin evaluation), briefly examines other extreme natural phenomena (extreme meteorological conditions related to flooding, earthquake or flooding with a higher level than that for which the installation is designed). It analyzes the risk of a loss of power supply and of cooling (loss of external and internal electric sources, loss of the ultimate cooling system). It analyzes the management of severe accidents: crisis management organization, available intervention means, robustness of available means. It discusses the conditions of the use of subcontractors

Report of Activity - 1997

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hammer, Philippe

1999-01-01

The Report of Activity on 1997 published by Waste Management Division (Direction chargee de la Gestion des Dechets) of French Atomic Energy Authority (Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique) presents the current activity in the framework of CEA Recovery Plan for Civil Centers initiated in 1991, aiming at managing all the radioactive problems issued from its Research and Development Activities. This plan covers three principal directions: management of radioactive wastes resulting from CEA research activities, reprocessing or storing the spent or un-used fuel resulting from research or prototype reactors, recovery measures and dismantling of nuclear facilities. In the field of radioactive waste management important projects, assuring the waste processing equipment, were developed in 1997 at Saclay (STELLA Installation), Cadarache (AGATE Installation) and Marcoule (ATENA Installation). The Radioactive Waste Storage TFA was put into operation at Cadarache. In the field of out-of-use fuel, in 1997 the fuel reprocessing units CARAMEL and UNGG were finished while as temporary storage for fuels waiting to be processed the CASCAD facility at Cadarache was assigned. Finally, concerning the recovery/dismantling activities, priority was granted to recover: the Radiochemical Lab. at Fontenay, the pilot workshop and UP1 plant of COGEMA at Marcoule, the EL4 reactor (in a joint action with EDF), and the AT1 pilot workshop at Cherbourg. The report is structured on five chapters with the following content: 1. The radioactive wastes; 2. The out-of-use fuels; 3. The dismantling of the definitively stopped installations; 4. The waste management at DAM (Direction des Applications Militaires); 5. Recovery activities at Marcoule

Experience of management of plutonium-contaminated solid and liquid wastes at the Cadarache Nuclear Research Centre

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Marcaillou, J.; Faure, J.C.; Tourret, G.

1981-01-01

At Cadarache the principal sources of alpha-contaminated waste are the facilities of the plutonium fuel assembly fabrication complex. The chosen management scheme shows two points where it is possible to implement procedures to limit the activities released and to reduce the storage volumes of treated waste: (1) At the fabrication units, three categories of solid waste ('rich', 'poor' and 'special') are distinguished by sorting at the time of production and by γ,n counting of the drums. The rich and special wastes with a high plutonium content are stored while awaiting treatment for recycling of the plutonium. In the case of liquid waste, different circuits are used to separate contaminated effluents and thus to limit their production; (2) In the solid-waste treatment shops, the waste has so far been compacted and then coated with bituminous cement mortar. At the same time, a new incinerator facility has been installed. The preliminary studies dealt mainly with: waste preparation (crushing) to obtain a continuous and regular feed for the incinerator; combustion (pyrolysis followed by burning of the gases and unburnt matter in the presence of excess air); containment of the equipment. Further studies will be made to determine what is to be done with the ash (treatment for plutonium recovery and/or coating). At the Effluent Treatment Station some adjustments have had to be made in order to cope with the increase in volume activity due mainly to the presence of americium. At the same time, with a view to limiting the production of treatment residues with a high alpha-emitter content it has been decided to carry out a research and development programme on the separation of americium and the improvement of the recycling of the plutonium contained in the process effluents. (author)

Status of fast reactors and ADS programmes in France in 2000

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Astegiano, J.C.; Tailland, C.; Grenet, P.; Frith, R.; Fiorini, J.L.; Louvet, J.

2001-01-01

dismantling operations that will satisfy the requirements set down by the IAEA. On R and D side, CEA recently launched a comprehensive R and D programme on promising technologies for future nuclear energy systems, to make significant progress in safety, sustainability and economics. Reference system is based on gas cooled fast reactor with on site closed fuel cycle, but many technologies investigated for the long term are believed to be of generic interest to develop high performances fuels and materials. This report describes in detail the status of fast reactors Rapsodie, Phenix and Superphenix. It includes R and D activities related to the project of Future generation nuclear energy systems, innovations of LWRs, the systems of 4th generation HTGRs, sodium cooled reactors LMRs, transmutation reactor type

ITER EDA newsletter. V. 8, no. 11

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1999-11-01

This ITER EDA Newsletter contains summary reports on the eleventh meeting of the ITER diagnostic expert group in Cadarache, France, on the ITER JCT presentation at the international conference on fusion reactor materials in Colorado Springs, USA and on the seventh workshop on plasma edge theory in fusion devices in Tajimi, Japan. Individual abstracts are prepared for the three contributions

From fundamental mode to the PWR type reactors blow off: physical analysis and contribution to the qualification of calculation tools; Du mode fondamental a la vidange des reacteurs a eau sous pression: analyse physique et contribution a la qualification des outils de calcul

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Maghnouj, A

1996-01-18

The work reported in this thesis centres on the resolution of reactor physics problems posed by the use in pressurised water reactors of fuel assemblies containing mixed uranium-plutonium oxide fuel (MOX). The work is essentially dependent on the results of the EPICURE experimental programme carried out between 1988 and 1994 in the reactor EOLE at the Cadarache Research Centre of the CEA. Our contribution to the validation of the computer program APOLLO2 and of its nuclear data library CEA93 shows that this code system satisfactorily calculates the neutronic characteristics of PWR cores. The validation of the experiments has provided useful information concerning the modifications required to be made to the library CEA93, which is based on the basic library of evaluated nuclear data, JEF2. This approach should now be extended to a wider basis of reactor experimental data. The studies of methods for calculating coolant voiding coefficients has made it possible to select suitable methods based on the available deterministic methods of transport theory in 2 ad 3 dimensions. These schemes have given results in satisfactory agreement with the measurements made in EPICURE programme for both local and total coolant voiding. It would now be worth while to validate the chosen methods by comparisons with calculations made using continuous energy Monte Carlo methods. (author)

Presentation of two Lagrangian and coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian methods for fluid-structure interaction

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Blanchet, Y.; Obry, P.; Louvet, J.; Graveleau, J.

1981-04-01

Two different numerical methods have been implemented in two computer codes developed in CEA/DRNR, Cadarache, to predict the dynamic response of the containment of Super-Phenix reactor after a hypothetical energy excursion. Both codes are 2D-axisymmetric and solve the time-dependent flow of compressible fluids in the presence of deformable thin structures. The first one, called SIRIUS, uses only Lagrangian meshes; in the second one, called CASSIOPEE, the thick elastic-plastic materials are calculated in Lagrangian coordinates while fluids can be calculated either in Lagrangian or in Eulerian coordinates. The treatment of hydrodynamic, elastic-plastic thick domains then the thin shells models and the fluid-structure couplings are described in parallel for both codes. The efficiency and the limits of the previous methods are finally illustrated by comparison of measured and predicted strains of a vessel issued from one of the MARA experiments which are being purposely performed in Cadarache for validation of these codes in Super-Phenix scale models. These comparisons are encouraging and justify that the Super-Phenix reactor vessel response can be determined using the SIRIUS and CASSIOPEE codes

Evaporation of lead and lithium from molten Pb-17Li - transport of aerosols

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Feuerstein, H.; Graebner, H.; Oschinski, J.; Horn, S.; Bender, S.

1991-01-01

Evaporation of Pb and Li from molten Pb-17Li was investigated between 350 and 800deg C in vacuum, argon and helium covergas. Results were also obtained from other experimental facilities. Similarities were found to observations from sodium cooled reactors. The results show that Pb and Li evaporate independent on each other. The two elements show different behavior along the transport pathway. Deposits of the evaporated metals contained between 0.2 and 98 at% Li. As in the reactor RAPSODIE for sodium, evaporation rates for lithium were smaller in helium than in argon, however evaporation rates of lead were the same in both gases. No aerosol problems will exist with normal blanket operation. Under experimental conditions, aerosol concentrations were in the range of 10 -9 to 10 -6 g/m 3 . Aerosols can easily be trapped with sintered metal filters. (orig.)

Innovative hybrid pile oscillator technique in the Minerve reactor: open loop vs. closed loop

Science.gov (United States)

Geslot, Benoit; Gruel, Adrien; Bréaud, Stéphane; Leconte, Pierre; Blaise, Patrick

2018-01-01

Pile oscillator techniques are powerful methods to measure small reactivity worth of isotopes of interest for nuclear data improvement. This kind of experiments has long been implemented in the Mineve experimental reactor, operated by CEA Cadarache. A hybrid technique, mixing reactivity worth estimation and measurement of small changes around test samples is presented here. It was made possible after the development of high sensitivity miniature fission chambers introduced next to the irradiation channel. A test campaign, called MAESTRO-SL, took place in 2015. Its objective was to assess the feasibility of the hybrid method and investigate the possibility to separate mixed neutron effects, such as fission/capture or scattering/capture. Experimental results are presented and discussed in this paper, which focus on comparing two measurements setups, one using a power control system (closed loop) and another one where the power is free to drift (open loop). First, it is demonstrated that open loop is equivalent to closed loop. Uncertainty management and methods reproducibility are discussed. Second, results show that measuring the flux depression around oscillated samples provides valuable information regarding partial neutron cross sections. The technique is found to be very sensitive to the capture cross section at the expense of scattering, making it very useful to measure small capture effects of highly scattering samples.

Design, construction, qualification and reliability of main components, from the safety aspect

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Crette, J.P.

1982-01-01

In FRANCE, the design and construction of reliable components, which condition the safe operation and availability of breeder plants, is based on the experience acquired during the operation of RAPSODIE, PHENIX and the various test facilities. The technical progress achieved on all main components is illustrated by examples taken from the CREYS-MALVILLE plant. In parallel with the development of these components, an extensive program covering research, development and the definition of design, construction and inspection rules, together with scheduling and quality assurance methods, prepares the industrialization of this reactor system, in compliance with the rules and recommendations issued by the pertinent safety authorities

Speech by Prime Minister Francois Fillon. Visit of the Jules Horowitz experimental reactor works on the Commissariat a l'Energie et aux Energies Alternatives site. Cadarache, May 3, 2010; Discours du Premier ministre Francois FILLON Cadarache, lundi 3 mai 2010. Visite du chantier du Reacteur experimental Jules Horowitz sur le site du Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2010-07-01

In this speech, the French Prime Minister evokes the present context, the importance of strategic technologies, and the challenge of investing in these technologies within a context of reduction of public expenses. He comments the decision of his government to finance research and education activities in different domains, and more specifically in the energy sector with this fourth generation Jules Horowitz experimental reactor. He recalls that the nuclear sector has always been very important to the eyes of the successive French governments, and outlines how this reactor will contribute to reactor operational optimization, lifetime extension and safety, nuclear fuel development, etc.

Phenomenological modeling and study of a catalytic membrane reactor for water detritiation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mascarade, Jeremy

2015-01-01

Tritium is produced in light and heavy water reactor fuel by ternary fission or neutron activation. This by-product is used as fuel in fusion fuel reactors such as JET in Culham or ITER in Cadarache (France). The growing interest of this research area will make the tritium fluxes increase; it is then worth addressing the question of its future whether it will be used or flushed out from liquid and gaseous effluents or waste. This thesis studies the recovery of tritium as fuel for fusion machines by means of packed bed membrane reactor (PBMR). Such a reactor combines catalytic conversion of tritiated water thanks to isotope exchange with hydrogen according to the reversible reaction Q 2 O+H 2 ↔H 2 O+Q 2 (Q=H,D or T) and selective permeation of Q 2 through Pd-based membrane. In fact, palladium has the ability to bond with hydrogen isotopes, creating a selective permeation barrier. In the PBMR, thanks to the reaction products withdrawal, these permeation fluxes drive the heavy water conversion rate, to higher values than those reached in conventional fixed bed reactors (Le Chatelier's law). In order to study PBMRs, the CEA has built a test bench, using deuterium instead of tritium, allowing the analysis of their conversion and separation performances at the laboratory scale. An in-house method has been developed to determine simultaneously hydrogen and water isotopologues content by mass spectrometer analysis. It was experimentally shown that the activity of Ni-based catalyst used in this study was sufficient to allow the isotope exchange reactions to reach their thermodynamic equilibrium in a very short time. In addition, hydrogen permeation flux was shown to follow a Richardson's law. Sensitivity studies performed on the PBMR's main operating parameters revealed that its global performance (i.e. de-deuteration factor) increases with the temperature, the transmembrane pressure difference, the sweep gas flow rate and the residence time in the catalyst

Temperature effects studies in light water reactor lattices

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Erradi, Lahoussine.

1982-02-01

The CREOLE experiments performed in the EOLE critical facility located in the Nuclear Center of CADARACHE - CEA (UO 2 and UO 2 -PuO 2 lattice reactivity temperature coefficient continuous measurements between 20 0 C and 300 0 C; integral measurements by boron equivalent effect in the moderator; water density effects measurements with the use of over cladding aluminium tubes to remove moderator) allow to get an interesting and complete information on the temperature effects in the light water reactor lattices. A very elaborated calcurated scheme using the transport theory and the APOLLO cross sections library, has been developed. The analysed results of the whole lot of experiments show that the discrepancy between theory and experiment strongly depends on the temperature range and on the type of lattices considered. The error is mainly linked with the thermal spectrum effects. A study on the temperature coefficient sensitivity to the different cell neutron parameters has shown that only the shapes of the 235 U and 238 U thermal cross sections have enough weight and uncertainty margins to explain the observed experimental/calculation bias. Instead of arbitrarily fitting the identified wrong data on the calculation of the reactivity temperature coefficient we have defined a procedure of modification of the cross sections based on the consideration of the basic nuclear data: resonance parameters and associated statistic laws. The implementation of this procedure has led to propose new thermal cross sections sets for 235 U and 238 U consistent with the uncertainty margins associated with the previously accepted values and with some experimental data [fr

Refabricated and instrumented fuel rods

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Silberstein, K.

2005-01-01

Nuclear Fuel for power reactors capabilities evaluation is strongly based on the intimate knowledge of its behaviour under irradiation. This knowledge can be acquired from refabricated and instrumented fuel rods irradiated at different levels in commercial reactors. This paper presents the development and qualification of a new technique called RECTO related to a double-instrumented rod re-fabrication process developed by CEA/LECA hot laboratory facility at CADARACHE. The technique development includes manufacturing of the properly dimensioned cavity in the fuel pellet stack to house the thermocouple and the use of a newly designed pressure transducer. An analytic irradiation of such a double-instrumented fuel rod will be performed in OSIRIS test reactor starting October 2004. (Author)

Study and modeling of fluctuating fluid forces exerted on fuel rods in pressurized water reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bhattacharjee, Saptarshi

2016-01-01

Flow-induced vibrations in a pressurized water reactor (PWR) core can cause fretting wear in the fuel rods. Due to friction, wear occurs at the contact locations between the spacer grid and the fuel rod. This could compromise the first safety barrier of the nuclear reactor by damaging the fuel rod cladding. In order to ensure the integrity of the cladding, it is necessary to know the random fluctuating forces acting on the rods. However, the spectra for these fluid forces are not well known. The goal of this PhD thesis was to use simple geometrical elements to check the reproducibility of realistic pressurized water reactor spacer grids. As a first step, large eddy simulations were performed on a concentric annular pipe for different mesh refinements using the CFD code Trio CFD (previously Trio U) developed by CEA. A mesh sensitivity study was performed to obtain an acceptable mesh for reproducing standard literature results. This information on mesh resolution was used when carrying out simulations using various geometric obstacles inside the pipe, namely, mixing vanes, circular spacer grid and a combination of square spacer grid with mixing vanes. The last of the three configurations is the closest to a realistic PWR fuel assembly. Structured mesh was generated for the annular pipe case and circular grid case. An innovative hybrid mesh was used for the two remaining cases of the mixing vanes and the square grid: keeping unstructured mesh around the obstacles and structured mesh in the rest of the domain. The inner wall of the domain was representative of the fuel rod cladding. Both hydraulic and wall pressure characteristics were analyzed for each case. The results for the square grid case were found to be an approximate combination of the mixing vane case and circular grid case. Simulation results were compared with experiments performed at CEA Cadarache. Some preliminary comparisons were also made with classical semi-empirical models. (author) [fr

Assessment of the dispersion of fission products in the atmosphere following a reactor accident under meteorological conditions of low wind speed

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Crabol, B.

1984-11-01

The aim of the study is the assessment of the dispersion in a low speed situation and the validation of the computer code ICAIR3 by means of SF6 tracing experiments carried out on the CADARACHE site under different stability conditions. The results show clearly some characteristic features of the dispersion. In particular, high concentrations are found in the experimental field several hours after the end of the release. Large differences of the plume width are observed depending on the atmospheric stability. The flow seems well organized under stable conditions, probably in relation with a topographic effect (CADARACHE is situated in a valley), while there is a much larger spread out of the plume in neutral or unstable conditions. A reasonable agreement with the values predicted by the calculation code is found for the maximum concentration

On-line fast flux measurements in the BR2 reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vermeeren, L.

2009-01-01

Since 2001, CEA-Cadarache and the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK-CEN are collaborating on the development and in-pile qualification of subminiature fission chambers (diameter of 1.5 mm). Initially, efforts concentrated on fission chambers for the in-pile measurement of thermal fluxes (with 235 U as fissile material). Meanwhile successful long-term tests of the prototypes have been performed in various environments: in low temperature (40-100 degress Celsius) BR2 pool water (up to a thermal neutron fluence of 3 1 0 21 n/cm 2 ) and in the CALLISTO PWR loop (300 degrees Celsius, 155 bars). The long-term qualification of derived industrial detectors (Photonis CFUZ53) in CALLISTO is still ongoing. However, for various types of irradiations in research reactors, the knowledge of the evolution of the fast neutron flux is even of more interest than the thermal flux data. Therefore the collaboration program was extended to the development and the in-pile qualification of subminiature or miniature fission chambers (with 3 mm diameter) for fast neutron detection, for which 242 Pu was selected as the optimal fissile material. In order to achieve the on-line in-pile measurement of fast neutron flux, the fission chambers will be operated in the Campbelling mode (based on the mean square fluctuation of the detector current). In this mode the gamma induced contribution to the signal can be efficiently suppressed. Moreover, a data processing software will take into account the evolution of the fissile deposit in order to assess on-line the fast flux sensitivity and to correct for the low energy neutron contributions. The final objective is to qualify a Fast Neutron Detector System (FNDS) able to provide on-line data for local fast neutron fluxes in Material Testing Reactors. The on-line measurement of the fast neutron flux would contribute significantly to the characterization of the irradiation conditions during test experiments with materials and innovative fuel elements

ITER merges energies in Provence

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Barla, J.Ch.

2009-01-01

The works around the Cadarache site where the experimental nuclear fusion reactor ITER is to be built have already generated about 366 million euros of contracts and provisions with French companies by September 30, 2009. The advance of the project should bring 3000 to 4000 persons more around the site but the Provence region suffers from the lack of a real projected management of employment and skills. (J.S.)

Design and full scale test of a sand bed filter

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kaercher, M.

1991-01-01

All French pressurized water reactor plants are equipped with a containment venting system. this system is designed and implemented by Electricite de France with the technical support of safety authorities (Institute of Protection and Nuclear Safety of Atomic Energy Commission). This paper covers the following items: main assumptions, sizing and design requirements; basic design of the filter resulting from PITEAS R and D program carried out between 1983 and 1989 at Cadarache nuclear center; full scale tests performed in 1990 on FUCHIA loop at Cadarache including description of the loop using plasma torches to generate CsOH aerosols in a steam - air flow, and preliminary results concerning thermohydraulic and thermic behavior under residual power simulated filtration efficiency with CsOH aerosols and iodine; complementary design, including hydrogen risk during condensation period, radiological shieldings of the filter, and heat removal after the filter closure; and conclusion on the validation of the filter

The nuclear industry and public hearings

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mansillon, Y.

2007-01-01

Major decisions about the French nuclear industry have been made, it is often said, without sufficiently informing and consulting the population. Laws in 1995 and 2002 provide for public hearings in order to inform the public and obtain its reactions to big projects of national interest. The responsibility for organizing a hearing is vested in an independent administrative authority, the National Commission of Public Debate (CNDP). Within 2 years, 5 issues related to the nuclear industry have been referred to it: 1) the ITER project at Cadarache in april 2003, 2) the George-Besse-II project to replace the present uranium enrichment plant at Tricastin in april 2004, 3) the research reactor Jules-Horowitz project at Cadarache in july 2004, 4) the EPR project at Flamanville in november 2004, and 5) the management of radioactive wastes in february 2005. The hearings already represent a fundamental innovation compared with earlier practices

The nuclear industry and public hearings; L'industrie nucleaire et le debat public

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mansillon, Y. [Commission Nationale du Debat Public, 75 - Paris (France)

2007-02-15

Major decisions about the French nuclear industry have been made, it is often said, without sufficiently informing and consulting the population. Laws in 1995 and 2002 provide for public hearings in order to inform the public and obtain its reactions to big projects of national interest. The responsibility for organizing a hearing is vested in an independent administrative authority, the National Commission of Public Debate (CNDP). Within 2 years, 5 issues related to the nuclear industry have been referred to it: 1) the ITER project at Cadarache in april 2003, 2) the George-Besse-II project to replace the present uranium enrichment plant at Tricastin in april 2004, 3) the research reactor Jules-Horowitz project at Cadarache in july 2004, 4) the EPR project at Flamanville in november 2004, and 5) the management of radioactive wastes in february 2005. The hearings already represent a fundamental innovation compared with earlier practices.

Progress Report 1994

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1995-01-01

This document is the 1994 annual progress report of the CEA-Direction of Waste Management (DGD). It comprises four chapters. The first chapter is a general presentation of radioactive wastes, of the management of liquid effluents, solid wastes, sealed sources, of the relations with the ANDRA (The French Agency for the Management of Radioactive Wastes), and of the research and development studies in progress for the improvement of waste management. The second chapter concerns the spent fuels and their reprocessing, in particular AGR and PWR type reactor fuels, the ''Caramel'' fuel from Osiris reactor and the cover elements from the Rapsodie reactor core. The long time storage of ancient fuels is also discussed. The third chapter concerns the dismantling of decommissioned installations, the actions in progress and the planning of dismantling actions up to the year 2000. Chapter four is devoted to the management of wastes from the Direction of Military Applications (DAM), the actions in progress in the different DAM centers and the cleansing projects at Marcoule plant. (J.S.). 5 figs., 28 tabs., 21 photos., 3 appendix

Progress Report 1994; Rapport d`activite 1994

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1995-12-31

This document is the 1994 annual progress report of the CEA-Direction of Waste Management (DGD). It comprises four chapters. The first chapter is a general presentation of radioactive wastes, of the management of liquid effluents, solid wastes, sealed sources, of the relations with the ANDRA (The French Agency for the Management of Radioactive Wastes), and of the research and development studies in progress for the improvement of waste management. The second chapter concerns the spent fuels and their reprocessing, in particular AGR and PWR type reactor fuels, the ``Caramel`` fuel from Osiris reactor and the cover elements from the Rapsodie reactor core. The long time storage of ancient fuels is also discussed. The third chapter concerns the dismantling of decommissioned installations, the actions in progress and the planning of dismantling actions up to the year 2000. Chapter four is devoted to the management of wastes from the Direction of Military Applications (DAM), the actions in progress in the different DAM centers and the cleansing projects at Marcoule plant. (J.S.). 5 figs., 28 tabs., 21 photos., 3 appendix.

Structural analysis for LMFBR applications

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vaze, M.K.K.

1983-01-01

The use of elastic analysis for structural design of LMFBR components is discussed. The elastic analysis methods have been used for structural design of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor as well as the proposed Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor. The design of Fast Breeder Test Reactor which is nearing completion is same as that of Rapsodie. Nevertheless, the design had to be checked against the latest design codes available, namely the ASME Code case 1592. This paper however, is confined to Structural analysis of PFBR components. The problems faced in the design of some of the components, in particular, the inner vessel (plenum separator) are discussed. As far as design codes are concerned, ASME Code Section III and the Code Case N-47 are used for high temperature design. The problems faced in the use of these rules are also described along with the description of analysis. Studies in the field of cyclic loading include extension of Bree's shakedown and plastic cycling criteria for ratchet free operation to biaxial stress fields

Human resource development in FBTR

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ravishankar, K.

2006-01-01

Since Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) is the first sodium cooled reactor in India, the training of personnel was tailored specifically to meet the various requirements. Personnel with experience in operation of reactor were inducted for management and Shift Charge Engineer positions. Taking advantage of the Indo French collaboration, this initial team was trained in Reactor Rapsodie, France for about one year. Also to acquire experience in operation of turbine generator, they were trained in RAPS. They prepared the O and M documents and trained other engineers, supervisors and technicians. Recruitment of O and M manpower was carefully planned and carried out in stages matching the project schedule and to ensure adequate availability of trained and licensed personnel for operation and maintenance. Personnel for maintenance were inducted from construction group and in addition from other process industries. Staffing for Technical services wing was largely from Design Group. Training and licensing Qualification procedure were prepared after the task analysis so that personnel at various positions possess the requisite competence. Innovative strategies were adopted to ensure adequate availability of licensed manpower during the trying situations like heavy turn over licensed personnel. (author)

Lead-cooled hybrid reactors and fuel regeneration for energy production and incineration evolution of physical parameters and induced radiotoxicity; Capacites des reacteurs hybrides au plomb pour la production d'energie et l'incineration avec multirecyclage des combustibles evolution des parametres physiques radiotoxicites induites

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

David, S

1999-07-01

The concept of accelerator driven subcritical reactors (hybrid reactors), as re-launched in the beginning of the 1990's by C. Rubbia and C.D. Bowman, allows to open new paths in the management of radioactive wastes. This work treats, first, of the study of the neutron multiplication characteristics in a subcritical reactor core and shows the fundamental differences with critical systems and the advantages that follow. This study is based on the series of measurements performed at Cadarache (Muse experiment), the first results of which are presented. The subcritical property of an hybrid reactor makes this system very flexible and allows to foresee different uses, like the energy production or the incineration of wastes. The second part of this work deals with the Monte Carlo simulation of the capacities of fast spectrum and lead-cooled hybrid systems to produce energy by using different fuel cycles (uranium and thorium), and in the same time regenerating the fissile matter and keeping the reactivity up without any external intervention. Different types of fuel multi-recycles are considered. The results allow to quantify the advantages linked with the use of the thorium cycle, in particular in terms of radiotoxicity abatement. The study of the intermediate steps necessary to develop this reactor technology with the present day fuels (plutonium from thermal reactors and enriched uranium) proposes an efficient management of the actinides produced by today's reactors which are used as auxiliary fissile materials. Finally, the incineration of actinides at the end of the cycle (shutdown scenario) is considered and allows to describe the advantage of lead-cooled hybrid systems for the abatement of the radiotoxicity of an inventory at the end of cycle. (J.S.)

Safety of Basic nuclear facilities (INB) other than electronuclear reactors. Lessons learned from declared significant events in 2011 and 2012

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2013-01-01

The first part of this report presents the different types of basic nuclear facilities other than electronuclear reactors. These installations can be industrial installations dedicated or not to the nuclear fuel cycle, research and support installations, be definitively stopped or being dismantled, or radioactive waste storage installations. After a comment of the main trends noticed in 2011 and 2012, the report proposes a transverse analysis of events which occurred in these installations. These events are related to various risks: dissemination of radioactive materials, exposure to ionizing radiations, criticality, fire and explosion, handling operations, loss of electric supplies or fluids, external aggression. Other events are those significant for the environment with a radiological component, or related to periodic controls and tests. The causes of these events are analysed. Specific events are presented which occurred on different sites (in the MELOX plant, in Areva sites in La Hague, Pierrelatte, in CEA sites in Cadarache and Saclay, in a fuel factory in Romans). Other topics are finally addressed: safety measures after the Fukushima accident, safety and radiation protection management systems of Areva and CEA, dismantling of nuclear installations

PHEDRE model for the simulation of PWR reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bernard, Patrice; Dupraz, Remy; Vasile, Alfredo.

1979-11-01

This note presents the model of PHEDRE, simulator of a PWR, set on the hybrid computers of CISI, at the Nuclear Research Center of Cadarache. The model mainly concerns the primary part and the steam production of the PWR constructed in France. It includes an axial modelization of the core, the pressurizer, two loops of steam production and the inlet of the turbine, and the regulations concerning these components. The note presents the equations of the model, the structures of the codes concerning the initialization and the dynamic resolution, and describes the control panel of PHEDRE [fr

Benchmark for Neutronic Analysis of Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor Cores with Various Fuel Types and Core Sizes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stauff, N.E.; Kim, T.K.; Taiwo, T.A.; Buiron, L.; Rimpault, G.; Brun, E.; Lee, Y.K.; Pataki, I.; Kereszturi, A.; Tota, A.; Parisi, C.; Fridman, E.; Guilliard, N.; Kugo, T.; Sugino, K.; Uematsu, M.M.; Ponomarev, A.; Messaoudi, N.; Lin Tan, R.; Kozlowski, T.; Bernnat, W.; Blanchet, D.; Brun, E.; Buiron, L.; Fridman, E.; Guilliard, N.; Kereszturi, A.; Kim, T.K.; Kozlowski, T.; Kugo, T.; Lee, Y.K.; Lin Tan, R.; Messaoudi, N.; Parisi, C.; Pataki, I.; Ponomarev, A.; Rimpault, G.; Stauff, N.E.; Sugino, K.; Taiwo, T.A.; Tota, A.; Uematsu, M.M.; Monti, S.; Yamaji, A.; Nakahara, Y.; Gulliford, J.

2016-01-01

One of the foremost Generation IV International Forum (GIF) objectives is to design nuclear reactor cores that can passively avoid damage of the reactor when control rods fail to scram in response to postulated accident initiators (e.g. inadvertent reactivity insertion or loss of coolant flow). The analysis of such unprotected transients depends primarily on the physical properties of the fuel and the reactivity feedback coefficients of the core. Within the activities of the Working Party on Scientific Issues of Reactor Systems (WPRS), the Sodium Fast Reactor core Feed-back and Transient response (SFR-FT) Task Force was proposed to evaluate core performance characteristics of several Generation IV Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR) concepts. A set of four numerical benchmark cases was initially developed with different core sizes and fuel types in order to perform neutronic characterisation, evaluation of the feedback coefficients and transient calculations. Two 'large' SFR core designs were proposed by CEA: those generate 3 600 MW(th) and employ oxide and carbide fuel technologies. Two 'medium' SFR core designs proposed by ANL complete the set. These medium SFR cores generate 1 000 MW(th) and employ oxide and metallic fuel technologies. The present report summarises the results obtained by the WPRS for the neutronic characterisation benchmark exercise proposed. The benchmark definition is detailed in Chapter 2. Eleven institutions contributed to this benchmark: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives (CEA of Cadarache), Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives (CEA of Saclay), Centre for Energy Research (CER-EK), Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Nuclear Technology and Energy Systems (IKE), Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT

LMFBR operational and experimental in-core local-fault experience, primarily with oxide fuel elements

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Warinner, D.K.

Case-by-case reviews of selective world experience with severe local faults, particularly fuel failure and fuel degradation, are reviewed for two sodium-cooled thermal reactors, several LMFBRs, and LMFBR-fuels experiments. The review summarizes fuel-failure frequency and illustrates the results of the most damaging LMFBR local-fault experiences of the last 20 years beginning with BR-5 and including DFR, BOR-60, BR2's MFBS-and Mol-loops experiments, Fermi, KNK, Rapsodie, EBR-II, and TREAT-D2. Local-fault accommodation is demonstrated and a need to more thoroughly investigate delayed-neutron and gaseous-fission-product signals is highlighted in view of uranate formation, observed blockages, and slow fuel-element failure-propagation

LMFBR operational and experimental local-fault experience, primarily with oxide fuel elements

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Warinner, D.K.

1980-01-01

Case-by-case reviews of selective world experience with severe local faults, particularly fuel failure and fuel degradation, are reviewed for two sodium-cooled thermal reactors, several LMFBRs, and LMFBR-fuels experiments. The review summarizes fuel-failure frequency and illustrates the results of the most damaging LMFBR local-fault experiences of the last 20 years beginning with BR-5 and including DFR, BOR-60, BR2's MFBS- and Mol-loops experiments, Fermi, KNK, Rapsodie, EBR-II, and TREAT-D2. Local-fault accommodation is demonstrated and a need to more thoroughly investigate delayed-neutron and gaseous-fission-product signals is highlighted in view of uranate formation, observed blockages, and slow fuel-element failure-propagation

Innovative hybrid pile oscillator technique in the Minerve reactor: open loop vs. closed loop

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Geslot Benoit

2018-01-01

Full Text Available Pile oscillator techniques are powerful methods to measure small reactivity worth of isotopes of interest for nuclear data improvement. This kind of experiments has long been implemented in the Mineve experimental reactor, operated by CEA Cadarache. A hybrid technique, mixing reactivity worth estimation and measurement of small changes around test samples is presented here. It was made possible after the development of high sensitivity miniature fission chambers introduced next to the irradiation channel. A test campaign, called MAESTRO-SL, took place in 2015. Its objective was to assess the feasibility of the hybrid method and investigate the possibility to separate mixed neutron effects, such as fission/capture or scattering/capture. Experimental results are presented and discussed in this paper, which focus on comparing two measurements setups, one using a power control system (closed loop and another one where the power is free to drift (open loop. First, it is demonstrated that open loop is equivalent to closed loop. Uncertainty management and methods reproducibility are discussed. Second, results show that measuring the flux depression around oscillated samples provides valuable information regarding partial neutron cross sections. The technique is found to be very sensitive to the capture cross section at the expense of scattering, making it very useful to measure small capture effects of highly scattering samples.

Back-to-back technical meetings (TMs): 'TM on the coordinated project (CRP) analyses of and lessons learned from the operational experience with fast reactor equipment and systems' and 'TM to coordinate the Agency's fast reactor knowledge preservation international project in Russia'. Working material

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2005-07-01

Since the early 1960's, several countries have undertaken important fast breeder reactor development programs. Fast test reactors were constructed and successfully operated in a number of countries, including Rapsodie (France), KNK-II (Germany), FBTR (India), JOYO (Japan), DFR (UK), BR-10, BOR-60 (Russia), and EBR-II, Fermi, FFTF (USA). This was followed by commercial size prototypes (Phenix, Superphenix (France), SNR-300 (Germany), MONJU (Japan), PFR (UK), BN-350 (Kazakhstan), BN-600 (Russia)], either just under construction, coming on line, or experiencing long term operation. However, from the 1980s onward, and mostly for economical and political reasons, fast reactor development in general began to decline. By 1994, in the USA, the Clinch River Breeder Reactor (CRBR) had been cancelled, and the two fast reactor test facilities, FFTF and EBR-II had been shutdown - EBRII permanently, and FFTF, until recently, in standby condition, but now also facing permanent closure. Thus, in the U.S., effort essentially disappeared for fast breeder reactor development. Similarly, programs in other nations were terminated or substantially reduced. In France, Superphenix was shut down at the end of 1998; SNR-300 in Germany was completed but not taken into operation, and KNK-II was permanently shut down in 1991 (after 17 years of operation) and is scheduled to be dismantled by 2004. In the UK, PFR was shut down in 1994, and in Kazakhstan, BN-350 was shut down in 1998. As the interest and activity in the fast breeder reactor diminished, the retirement of many of the developers and acknowledged experts of this technology reached its peak, between 1990 and 2000. The effort and investment required to replace these skills also diminished in parallel. In addition, the facilities (e.g., hot cells, fuel fabrication and inspection lines, seismic test rigs) required to develop and maintain the fast reactor program are drifting into a degraded state or are being shut down. This leads to the

The Jules Horowitz nuclear complex a plat-form for research and development on nuclear fuel and materials for the 21st century

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ballagny, A.; Bouilloux, Y.; Chantoin, P.; Iracane, D.

2001-01-01

The CEA intends to build a material test reactor at Cadarache (South of France). This reactor would be the central piece of a wider complex which would include experimental fuel fabrication, destructive and non destructive examinations, in-reactor on line measurement advanced methods and modelling. For 50 years this platform would provide the necessary knowledge to the nuclear industry, the safety authority and to the national decision makers. This material test reactor called Jules Horowitz reactor (JHR) could be a key facility for industry and the central component of the European research area on nuclear fission from 2010. In this paper an overview of the research complex is given and a first approach of the development effort undertaken to meet the requirements in term of : ''time to result, experimental cost, experiment quality and international co-operation. Finally are given several ways of technical development undertaken to meet the above requirements. (orig.)

The future Jules Horowitz material test reactor: A major European research infrastructure for sustaining the international irradiation capacity

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Parrat, D.; Bignan, G.; Chauvin, J.; Gonnier, C.

2011-01-01

Multipurpose experimental reactors are now key infrastructures, in complement of prediction capabilities gained thanks to progresses in the modelling, for supporting nuclear energy in terms of safety, ageing management, innovation capacity, economical performances and training. However the European situation in this field is characterized by ageing large infrastructures, which could face to operational issues in the coming years and could jeopardize the knowledge acquisition and the nuclear product qualification. Moreover some specific supplies related to the public demand could be strongly affected (e.g. radiopharmaceutical targets). To avoid a lack in the experimental capacity offer at the European level, the CEA has launched the Jules Horowitz material test reactor (JHR) international program, in the frame of a Consortium gathering EDF (FR), AREVA (FR), the European Commission (EU), SCK.CEN (BE), VTT (FI), CIEMAT (SP), VATTENFALL (SE), UJV (CZ), JAEA (JP) and the DAE (IN). The JHR will be a 100 MW tank pool reactor and will have several experimental locations either inside the reactor core or outside the reactor tank in a reflector constituted by beryllium blocks. Excavation works started mid-2007 on the CEA Cadarache site in the southeast of France. After the construction permit delivery gained in September 2007, building construction began at the beginning of 2009. Reactor start-up is scheduled in 2016. The JHR is designed to offer up-to-date irradiation experimental capabilities for studying nuclear material and fuel behaviour under irradiation in a modern safety frame, mainly due to: 1) High values of fast and thermal neutron fluxes in the core and high thermal neutron flux in the reflector (producing typically twice more material damages per year than available today in European MTRs); 2) A large variety of experimental devices capable to reproduce environment conditions of mainly light water reactors (LWRs) and sodium fast reactors; 3) Several equipment

Development and qualification of reference calculation schemes for absorbers in pressured water reactor; Elaboration et qualification de schemas de calcul de reference pour les absorbants dans les reacteurs a eau pressurisee

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Blanc-Tranchant, P

2001-07-01

The general field in which this work takes place is the field of the accuracy improvement of neutronic calculations, required to operate Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) with a better precision and a lower cost. More specifically, this thesis deals with the calculation of the absorber clusters used to control these reactors. The first aim of that work was to define and validate a reference calculation route of such an absorber cluster, based on the deterministic code APOLLO2. This calculation scheme was then to be checked against experimental data. This study of the complex situation of absorber clusters required several intermediate studies, of simpler problems, such as the study of fuel rods lattices and the study of single absorber rods (B4C, AIC, Hafnium) isolated in such lattices. Each one of these different studies led to a particular reference calculation route. All these calculation routes were developed against reference continuous energy Monte-Carlo calculations, carried out with the stochastic code TRIPOLI4. They were then checked against experimental data measured during French experimental programs, undertaken within the EOLE experimental reactor, at the Nuclear Research Center of Cadarache: the MISTRAL experiments for the study of isolated absorber rods and the EPICURE experiments for the study of absorber clusters. This work led to important improvements in the calculation of isolated absorbers and absorber clusters. The reactivity worth of these clusters in particular, can now be obtained with a great accuracy: the discrepancy observed between the calculated and the experimental values is less than 2.5 %, and then slightly lower than the experimental uncertainty. (author)

Achievement and qualification of multigroup cross-section library for light water reactor calculation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gastaldi, B.

1986-07-01

This study intends to improve then to check on integral experiments, the calculation of the main neutronic parameters in light water moderated lattices: Uranium 238 capture and consequently Plutonium 239 build-up, multiplication factor, temperature coefficient. The first part of this work concerns the resonant reaction rate calculation method implemented in the APOLLO code, the so-called LIVOLANT and JEANPIERRE formalism. The errors introduced by the corresponding assumptions are quantified and we propose substitution methods which avoid large biases and supply satisfactory results. The second part is dedicated to the cross-section evaluation of uranium major isotopes and to the achievement of APOLLO multigroup cross-sections. This cross-section set takes into considerations on the one hand the recent differential information and the other hand the various integral information obtained in the French Atomic Energy Commission facilities. The nuclear data file (JEF abd ENDF/B5) processing, for multigroup and self-shielded cross-sections achieving enable us to check the new THEMIS computer code. In the last part, the experimental validation of the proposed procedure (accurate formalism mutuel shielding and new multigroup library) is presented. This qualification is based on the reinterpretation of critical experiments performed in the EOLE reactor at Cadarache and spent fuel analysis. The corresponding results demonstrate that our propositions provide improvements on the computation of the PWR neutronic parameters; calculation-experiment discrepancies are now consistent with experimental uncertainty margins. 46 refs; 31 figs; 23 tabl [fr

Direction of Nuclear Energy. Activity report 2010

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2011-11-01

This report proposes an overview of the research activities performed by the French DEN (Direction de l'Energie Nucleaire, Direction of Nuclear Energy) within the CEA. These activities address the future nuclear industrial systems (4. generation reactors, back-end of the future fuel cycle, basic scientific and technological research), the optimization of the industrial nuclear power (fuel cycle front end, second and third generation reactors, back-end of the present fuel cycle), major tools for the development of nuclear energy (simulation tools, Jules Horowitz reactor, value creation), clean up and dismantling of nuclear facilities (present status, the Passage project in Grenoble, the Aladin project in Fontenay-aux-Roses, projects at Marcoule, flow management of radioactive wastes, materials and disused fuels, transport). Three research centres are presented: Marcoule, Cadarache and Saclay

The software-defined fast post-processing for GEM soft x-ray diagnostics in the Tungsten Environment in Steady-state Tokamak thermal fusion reactor

Science.gov (United States)

Krawczyk, Rafał Dominik; Czarski, Tomasz; Linczuk, Paweł; Wojeński, Andrzej; Kolasiński, Piotr; GÄ ska, Michał; Chernyshova, Maryna; Mazon, Didier; Jardin, Axel; Malard, Philippe; Poźniak, Krzysztof; Kasprowicz, Grzegorz; Zabołotny, Wojciech; Kowalska-Strzeciwilk, Ewa; Malinowski, Karol

2018-06-01

This article presents a novel software-defined server-based solutions that were introduced in the fast, real-time computation systems for soft X-ray diagnostics for the WEST (Tungsten Environment in Steady-state Tokamak) reactor in Cadarache, France. The objective of the research was to provide a fast processing of data at high throughput and with low latencies for investigating the interplay between the particle transport and magnetohydrodynamic activity. The long-term objective is to implement in the future a fast feedback signal in the reactor control mechanisms to sustain the fusion reaction. The implemented electronic measurement device is anticipated to be deployed in the WEST. A standalone software-defined computation engine was designed to handle data collected at high rates in the server back-end of the system. Signals are obtained from the front-end field-programmable gate array mezzanine cards that acquire and perform a selection from the gas electron multiplier detector. A fast, authorial library for plasma diagnostics was written in C++. It originated from reference offline MATLAB implementations. They were redesigned for runtime analysis during the experiment in the novel online modes of operation. The implementation allowed the benchmarking, evaluation, and optimization of plasma processing algorithms with the possibility to check the consistency with reference computations written in MATLAB. The back-end software and hardware architecture are presented with data evaluation mechanisms. The online modes of operation for the WEST are discussed. The results concerning the performance of the processing and the introduced functionality are presented.

Analysis of the Pecore experimental programme carried out on Masurca and neutronics calculations for the PEC reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Artioli, C.; Cignani, B.; Dominici, G.; Frattini, F.; Tavoni, R.

1980-01-01

A number of critical configurations installed in the Masurca experimental reactor of the French Commissariat a l'energie atomique (CEA) in Cadarache were used to simulate, by means of certain approximations, the neutron properties of the core of the PEC reactor. As the amount of plutonium available was insufficient, the Pecore experiment was carried out by using two different fuel zones: one with mixed U and Pu oxide, the other with enriched U oxide. However, an effort was made to keep the two zones similar as far as the neutron energy spectrum was concerned. The first interpretation of Pecore was carried out by the CEA with the assistance of staff of the Italian National Nuclear Energy Committee (CNEN), on the basis of French nuclear data and calculation methods. The paper describes the interpretation made in Italy on the basis of the codes and cross-sections used for the PEC neutron calculations, so that use could be made in this project of the discrepancies between calculation and experiment evaluated for Pecore. The characteristics compared were: critical mass, negative reactivity introduced by the control rods, ratios of reaction rates, efficiency of the nickel-base reflector and the axial and radial power curves. By way of a general conclusion, it can be stated that the interpretations of the CEA and the CNEN are in good agreement; the differences which they show are nearly always within the margin of experimental error. In addition to the main results of the Pecore experiment, the paper deals with certain aspects of: the PEC neutron calculation, from the definition of fuel enrichment to the calculation of the power level reached in each element, and from the updating of reactivity coefficients to the formulation of refuelling strategy. For some sectors, the results of the Pecore experiment had to be taken into account. (author)

IRPhE-HTR-ARCH-01, Archive of HTR Primary Documents

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2004-01-01

Description: High Temperature Reactor Studies, including experiments in critical facilities or in prototypes have been carried out in the past. Information gathered, experience gained and experimental data produced are of value for the development of future advanced HTRs. For the purpose of knowledge, competence, information preservation and management, computer readable archives have been established. The present archive includes several relevant documents relative to the following: - Graphite Moderated Critical Facility, CESAR at Cadarache. Dragon Countries Physics Meetings (DCPM); - OTTO Pebble Bed Reactors; - Gulf - HTGR Experiments; - Zero Power MARIUS Reactor; - Pebble-bed KAHTER Critical Facility; - Helium Cooled Fast Reactor Assessment Studies; - Gas Cooled Reactor Technology Safety and Siting; - Initial Evaluation of the Gas-Turbine Modules HTGCR; - A report on Nuclear Graphite; - AVR Reactor Juelich (new in version 02); - HTR IAEA proceedings (new in version 02); - Studies at IRI Delft(new in version 02); - Studies and experiments at PSI Villigen (new in version 02); 2 - Related or auxiliary information: IRPHE-DRAGON-DPR, high Temperature Reactor Dragon Project, Primary Documents NEA-1726/01. 3 - Software requirements: Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Word, HTML Browser required

The future Jules Horowitz material testing reactor: An opportunity for developing international collaborations on a major European irradiation infrastructure

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Parrat, D.; Bignan, G.; Maugard, B.; Gonnier, C.; Blandin, C.

2015-01-01

Development process of a fuel product or a nuclear material before using at an industrial scale in a power reactor ranges from characterization of the material itself under neutronic flux up to its qualification in accidental conditions. Irradiations in Material Testing Reactors (MTRs) are in practice the basis of the whole process, in complement of prediction capabilities gained by modelling. Dedicated experimental reactors play also an important complementary role for some specific integral tests (e.g. RIA tests). Irradiations of precursors in power reactors are often limited to products which present a slight design evolution compare to the standard product or are implemented for further tests when a statistical approach is useful for defining a safety criterion. However European MTR park status is characterized by ageing infrastructures, which could cause operational issues in coming years, either on technological or on safety point of views. Moreover some specific supplies related to the public demand could be strongly affected (e.g. radiopharmaceutical targets). To avoid a lack in irradiation capacity offer at European level, CEA launched the Jules Horowitz Material Testing Reactor (JHR) international program, in the frame of a Consortium gathering also EDF (FR), AREVA (FR), European Commission (EU), SCK.CEN (BE), VTT (FI), CIEMAT (SP), STUDSVIK (SE), UJV (CZ), NNL (UK), IAEC (IL), DAE (IN) and as associated partnership: JAEA (JP). Some institutions in this list are themselves the flagship of a national Consortium. Discussions for enlarging participation are on-going with other countries, as JHR Consortium is open to new member entrance until JHR completion. The Jules Horowitz Material Testing Reactor (JHR MTR) is under construction at CEA Cadarache in southern France and will be an important international User Facility for R&D in support to the nuclear industry, research centres, regulatory bodies and TSO, and academic institutions. It represents a unique

Reactor theory and power reactors. 1. Calculational methods for reactors. 2. Reactor kinetics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Henry, A.F.

1980-01-01

Various methods for calculation of neutron flux in power reactors are discussed. Some mathematical models used to describe transients in nuclear reactors and techniques for the reactor kinetics' relevant equations solution are also presented

Sarnet lecture notes on nuclear reactor severe accident phenomenology

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Trambauer, K.; Adroguer, B.; Fichot, F.; Muller, C.; Meyer, L.; Breitung, W.; Magallon, D.; Journeau, C.; Alsmeyer, H.; Housiadas, C.; Clement, B.; Ang, M.L.; Chaumont, B.; Ivanov, I.; Marguet, S.; Van Dorsselaere, J.P.; Fleurot, J.; Giordano, P.; Cranga, M.

2008-01-01

The 'Severe Accident Phenomenology Short Course' is part of the Excellence Spreading activities of the European Severe Accident Research NETwork of Excellence SARNET (project of the EURATOM 6. Framework programme). It was held at Cadarache, 9-13 January 2006. The course was divided in 14 lectures covering all aspects of severe accident phenomena that occur during a scenario. It also included lectures on PSA-2, Safety Assessment and design measures in new LWR plants for severe accident mitigation (SAM). This book presents the lecture notes of the Severe Accident Phenomenology Short Course and condenses the essential knowledge on severe accident phenomenology in 2008. (authors)

Quantitative fuel motion determination with the CABRI fast neutron hodoscope

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Baumung, K.; Augier, G.

1991-01-01

The fast neutron hodoscope installed at the CABRI reactor in Cadarache, France, is employed to provide quantitative fuel motion data during experiments in which single liquid-metal fast breeder reactor test pins are subjected to simulated accident conditions. Instrument design and performance are reviewed, the methods for the quantitative evaluation are presented, and error sources are discussed. The most important findings are the axial expansion as a function of time, phenomena related to pin failure (such as time, location, pin failure mode, and fuel mass ejected after failure), and linear fuel mass distributions with a 2-cm axial resolution. In this paper the hodoscope results of the CABRI-1 program are summarized

Reactor core in FBR type reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Masumi, Ryoji; Kawashima, Katsuyuki; Kurihara, Kunitoshi.

1989-01-01

In a reactor core in FBR type reactors, a portion of homogenous fuels constituting the homogenous reactor core is replaced with multi-region fuels in which the enrichment degree of fissile materials is lower nearer to the axial center. This enables to condition the composition such that a reactor core having neutron flux distribution either of a homogenous reactor core or a heterogenous reactor core has substantially identical reactivity. Accordingly, in the transfer from the homogenous reactor core to the axially heterogenous reactor core, the average reactivity in the reactor core is substantially equal in each of the cycles. Further, by replacing a portion of the homogenous fuels with a multi-region fuels, thereby increasing the heat generation near the axial center, it is possiable to reduce the linear power output in the regions above and below thereof and, in addition, to improve the thermal margin in the reactor core. (T.M.)

Structural analysis for LMFBR applications[Indian position paper

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1983-05-01

Firstly, we discuss the use of elastic analysis for structural design of LMFBR components. The elastic analysis methods have been used for structural design of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor as well as the proposed prototype Test Breeder Reactor. The design of Fast Breeder Test Reactor which is nearing completion is the same as that of Rapsodie. Nevertheless, the design had to he checked against the latest design codes available, namely the ASME Code case 1592. This paper however, is confined to Structural analysis of PFBR components. The problems faced in the design of some of the components, in particular, the inner vessel (plenum separator) are discussed. As far as design codes are concerned, we make use of ASME Code Section III and the Code Case N-47, for high temperature design. The problem faced in the use of these rules are also described along with the description of analysis. Studies in the field of cyclic loading include extension of Bree's breakdown and plastic cycling criteria for ratchet free operation to biaxial stress fields. In other fields, namely, inelastic analysis, piping analysis in the creep regime etc. we are only at a start.

Structural analysis for LMFBR applications

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1983-01-01

Firstly, we discuss the use of elastic analysis for structural design of LMFBR components. The elastic analysis methods have been used for structural design of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor as well as the proposed prototype Test Breeder Reactor. The design of Fast Breeder Test Reactor which is nearing completion is the same as that of Rapsodie. Nevertheless, the design had to he checked against the latest design codes available, namely the ASME Code case 1592. This paper however, is confined to Structural analysis of PFBR components. The problems faced in the design of some of the components, in particular, the inner vessel (plenum separator) are discussed. As far as design codes are concerned, we make use of ASME Code Section III and the Code Case N-47, for high temperature design. The problem faced in the use of these rules are also described along with the description of analysis. Studies in the field of cyclic loading include extension of Bree's breakdown and plastic cycling criteria for ratchet free operation to biaxial stress fields. In other fields, namely, inelastic analysis, piping analysis in the creep regime etc. we are only at a start

Molten fuel behaviour during slow overpower transients

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Guerin, Y.; Boidron, M.

1985-01-01

In large commercial reactors as Super-Phenix, if we take into account all the uncertainties on the pins and on the core, it is no longer possible to guarantee the absence of fuel melting during incidental events such as slow overpower transients. We have then to explain what happens in the pins when fuel melting occurs and to demonstrate that a limited amount of molten fuel generates no risk of clad failure. For that purpose, we may use the results of a great number of experiments (about 40) that have been performed at C.E.A., most of them in thermal reactor, but some experiments have also been performed in Rapsodie, especially during the last run of this reactor. In a great part of these experiments, fuel melting occurred at beginning of life, but we have also some results at different burnups up to 5 at %. It is not the aim of this paper to describe all these experiments and the results of their post irradiation examination, but to summarize the main conclusions that have been set out of them and that have enabled us to determine the main characteristics of fuel element behaviour when fuel melting occurs

Understanding of the operation behaviour of a Passive Autocatalytic Recombiner (PAR) for hydrogen mitigation in realistic containment conditions during a severe Light Water nuclear Reactor (LWR) accident

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Payot, Frédéric; Reinecke, Ernst-Arndt; Morfin, Franck; Sabroux, Jean-Christophe; Meynet, Nicolas; Bentaib, Ahmed; March, Philippe; Zeyen, Roland

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► Recombineur operation in the presence of fission products (severe accident conditions). ► Operation of catalysts in the integral and small-scale tests. ► The catalyst performance was observed by measuring the coupon temperature increase. ► The experimental observations were corroborated by numerical calculations (SPARK code). - Abstract: In the context of hydrogen risk mitigation in nuclear power plants (NPPs), experimental studies of a possible poisoning of Passive Autocatalytic Recombiners (PARs) by fission products (FPs) and aerosols released during a core meltdown accident were mainly conducted in the past with non-radioactive fission product surrogates (e.g., in the H2PAR facility at Cadarache, France). The decision was taken in 1997 to complete these studies by a test in the Phébus facility, a research nuclear reactor also at Cadarache: it was a rare opportunity to expose catalyst samples to an atmosphere as representative as possible of a core meltdown accident, containing gaseous fission products and aerosols released during the degradation of an actual irradiated nuclear fuel bundle. Before testing in Phébus during the FPT3 experiment, reference and qualification tests were performed in the H2PAR facility using the same samples — the so-called “coupons” — and coupons holder to check that the apparatus was functional and correctly designed for avoiding to tamper with the thermal-hydraulics and chemical conditions in the Phébus containment. The correct operation of catalysts was checked by measuring the surface temperature increase of the coupons due to the exothermic reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. After the Phébus FPT3 test (November 2004), REKO-1 tests were initiated at Jülich, Germany, to confirm the discrepancy in coupons temperature observed in Phébus FPT3 and H2PAR PHEB-03 tests, and to study the operation behaviour of PARs. Besides, before REKO-1 tests, a first interpretation of H2PAR and Phébus experiments

Bituminization of low- and medium-level radioactive wastes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lefillatre, G.

1976-01-01

French operations are presented concerning mainly: the bituminization of radioactive wastes produced in light water reactors; the direct bituminization of liquid effluents without concentration; the experiments carried out for 18 months on the land burial of concentrates solidified by bitumen into blocks of 100 liters. The knowledge acquired in France is exposed: in Valduc and in Saclay with facilities equipped with thin film evaporators and in Marcoule with the conditioning of trilaurylamine and tributyl-phosphate. At last the Cadarache bituminization [fr

Reactor core and initially loaded reactor core of nuclear reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Koyama, Jun-ichi; Aoyama, Motoo.

1989-01-01

In BWR type reactors, improvement for the reactor shutdown margin is an important characteristic condition togehter with power distribution flattening . However, in the reactor core at high burnup degree, the reactor shutdown margin is different depending on the radial position of the reactor core. That is , the reactor shutdown margin is smaller in the outer peripheral region than in the central region of the reactor core. In view of the above, the reactor core is divided radially into a central region and as outer region. The amount of fissionable material of first fuel assemblies newly loaded in the outer region is made less than the amount of the fissionable material of second fuel assemblies newly loaded in the central region, to thereby improve the reactor shutdown margin in the outer region. Further, the ratio between the amount of the fissionable material in the upper region and that of the fissionable material in the lower portion of the first fuel assemblies is made smaller than the ratio between the amount of the fissionable material in the upper region and that of the fissionable material in the lower region of the second fuel assemblies, to thereby obtain a sufficient thermal margin in the central region. (K.M.)

Elaboration and qualification of a reference calculation routes for the absorbers in the PWR reactors; Elaboration et qualification des schemas de calcul de reference pour les absorbants dans les reacteurs a eau pressurisee

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Blanc-Tranchant, P

1999-11-01

The general field in which this work takes place is the field of the accuracy improvement of neutronic calculations, required to operate Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) with a better precision and a lower cost. More specifically, this thesis deals with the calculation of the absorber clusters used to control these reactors. The first aim of that work was to define and validate a reference calculation route of such an absorber cluster, based on the deterministic code Apollo 2. This calculation scheme was then to be checked against experimental data. This study of the complex situation of absorber clusters required several intermediate studies, of simpler problems, such as the study of fuel rods lattices and the study of single absorber rods (B{sub 4}C, AIC, Hafnium) isolated in such lattices. Each one of these different studies led to a particular reference calculation route. All these calculation routes were developed against reference continuous energy Monte-Carlo calculations, carried out with the stochastic code TRIPOLI14. They were then checked against experimental data measured during french experimental programs, undertaken within the EOLE experimental reactor, at the Nuclear Research Center of Cadarache: the MISTRAL experiments for the study of isolated absorber rods and the EPICURE experiments for the study of absorber clusters. This work led to important improvements in the calculation of isolated absorbers and absorber clusters. The reactivity worth of these clusters in particular, can now be obtained with a great accuracy: the discrepancy observed between the calculated and the experimental values is less than 2.5 %, and then slightly lower than the experimental uncertainty. (author)

Scientists from all over the world attend the ''Frederic Joliot/Otto Hahn Summer School 2009'' at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sanchez Espinoza, Victor Hugo; Fischer, Ulrich

2009-01-01

The ''Frederic Joliot/Otto Hahn Summer School'' is organized each year alternately by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique (CEA), Cadarache. This year's Summer School, the 15th since its foundation, was run at the Advanced Training Center (FTU) of KIT Campus Nord on August 26 to September 4. The key topic this year was ''The Challenges in Implementing Fast Reactor Technology.'' These are the items discussed: Principles and challenges of future fast reactor designs, Fuels, fuel cycle, and recycling of minor actinides, Innovative cladding tube and structural materials, Special aspects of coolants and the challenges they pose, Fast reactor safety. Experts from 8 leading international research establishments and universities presented and discussed with the 58 participants from 16 countries the current state of the art and the latest development trends in the topics listed above. (orig.)

Nuclear energy Division - 2011 Activity report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2012-01-01

This document reports the activity of the Nuclear Energy Department (DEN) within the CEA. It evokes its international relationship (participation to international initiatives, cooperation with different countries), describes the scientific activity within the DEN, presents the Advanced Material Program, and the activities undertaken in different fields: future nuclear industrial systems (fourth generation reactors, downstream part of the future fuel cycle, fundamental scientific and technological research), optimization of the present nuclear industrial activity (second and third generation reactors, nuclear security, upstream and downstream part of the present fuel cycle), tools for nuclear development (numerical simulation, Jules Horowitz reactor), cleaning up and nuclear dismantling (dismantling strategy, the Passage project in Grenoble, works in Marcoule, the Aladin project in Fontenay, waste and material flow management, nuclear support installations, transports). It finally addresses the specific activities of the Marcoule, Cadarache and Saclay centres

Validation of photon-heating calculations in irradiation reactor with the experimental AMMON program and the CARMEN device

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lemaire, Matthieu

2015-01-01

The temperature in the different core structures of Material-Testing Reactors (MTR) is a key physical parameter for MTRs' performance and safety. In nuclear reactors, where neutron and photon flux are sustained by fission chain reactions, neutrons and photons steadily deposit energy in the structures they cross and lead to a temperature rise in these structures. In non-fissile core structures (such as material samples, experimental devices, control rods, fuel claddings, and so on), the main part of nuclear heating is induced by photon interactions. This photon heating must therefore be well calculated as it is a key input parameter for MTR thermal studies, whose purpose is for instance to help determine the proper sizing of cooling power, electrical heaters and insulation gaps in MTR irradiation devices. The Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR) is the next international MTR under construction in the south of France at CEA Cadarache research center (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission). The JHR will be a major research infrastructure for the test of structural material and fuel behavior under irradiation. It will also produce from 25% to 50% of the European demand of medical radioisotopes for diagnostic purposes. High levels of nuclear heating are expected in the JHR core, with an absorbed-dose rate up to 20 watts per hafnium gram at nominal power (100 MW). Compared to a Pressurized-Water Reactor (PWR), the JHR is made of a specific array of materials (aluminum rack, beryllium reflector, hafnium control rods) and the feedback on photon-heating calculations with these features is limited. It is therefore necessary to validate photon-heating calculation tools (calculation codes and the European nuclear-data JEFF3.1.1 library) for use in the JHR, that is, it is necessary to determine the biases and uncertainties that are relevant for the photon-heating values calculated with these tools in the JHR. This topic constitutes the core of the present

Nuclear reactor physics course for reactor operators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Baeten, P.

2006-01-01

The education and training of nuclear reactor operators is important to guarantee the safe operation of present and future nuclear reactors. Therefore, a course on basic 'Nuclear reactor physics' in the initial and continuous training of reactor operators has proven to be indispensable. In most countries, such training also results from the direct request from the safety authorities to assure the high level of competence of the staff in nuclear reactors. The aim of the basic course on 'Nuclear Reactor Physics for reactor operators' is to provide the reactor operators with a basic understanding of the main concepts relevant to nuclear reactors. Seen the education level of the participants, mathematical derivations are simplified and reduced to a minimum, but not completely eliminated

Reactor core of FBR type reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hayashi, Hideyuki; Ichimiya, Masakazu.

1994-01-01

A reactor core is a homogeneous reactor core divided into two regions of an inner reactor core region at the center and an outer reactor core region surrounding the outside of the inner reactor core region. In this case, the inner reactor core region has a lower plutonium enrichment degree and less amount of neutron leakage in the radial direction, and the outer reactor core region has higher plutonium enrichment degree and greater amount of neutron leakage in the radial direction. Moderator materials containing hydrogen are added only to the inner reactor core fuels in the inner reactor core region. Pins loaded with the fuels with addition of the moderator materials are inserted at a ratio of from 3 to 10% of the total number of the fuel pins. The moderator materials containing hydrogen comprise zirconium hydride, titanium hydride, or calcium hydride. With such a constitution, fluctuation of the power distribution in the radial direction along with burning is suppressed. In addition, an absolute value of the Doppler coefficient can be increased, and a temperature coefficient of coolants can be reduced. (I.N.)

European Fast Reactor IWGFR/FRCC-report. A review of the collaborative programme on the European Fast Reactor (EFR)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1992-07-01

The design work for the 1500 MWe European Fast Reactor EFR was started in 1988. Two years during phase 1 were devoted to the concept design; the subsequent concept validation phase 2 will last until March 1993. In autumn 1991 the 'concept design '91, CD91, was put forward; its major design features and the R and D support are described briefly together with the organisational structures. The European Fast Reactor Utilities Group 'EFRUG' presently comprises EdF (France), ENEL (Italy), Nuclear Electric (UK) and Bayernwerk, PreulsenElektra and RWE (Germany). For design and construction of EFR the group 'EFR Associates' is responsible, combining the companies Siemens (formerly Interatom, Germany), NNC Ltd. (UK) and Framatome/Div. Novatome (France). The necessary R and D support is given by CEA (France), UKAEA (UK) and KfK/Siemens (Germany). The R and D work is executed in the various national research centres ranging from Dounreay via Bensberg and Karlsruhe to Cadarache. The design work is done at Bensberg, Lyon and Risley. The present programme of design work extends to early 1993 and is aimed at producing a detailed consistent design for the nuclear part of the plant and a non site specific safety report. By that date the basic feasibility of the main design features will have been underwritten by the joint R and D programme and there will be an informal assessment of the general licensibility of the concept by the Ad Hoc Safety Club. In follow-up the utilities will then be in the position to decide whether to proceed with the next steps. The key issues of this phase will include the specification of the plant, the siting, the detailed engineering, licensing with possibly a public enquiry and the question of ownership and financing. In the international arena the collaboration with USSR is proceeding well on the basis of an USSR-Europe Agreement from January 8, 1991; it foresees review and specialists meetings in the field of fast breeder research. On the occasion of

Nuclear reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Barre, Bertrand

2015-10-01

After some remarks on the nuclear fuel, on the chain reaction control, on fuel loading and unloading, this article proposes descriptions of the design, principles and operations of different types of nuclear reactors as well as comments on their presence and use in different countries: pressurized water reactors (design of the primary and secondary circuits, volume and chemistry control, backup injection circuits), boiling water reactors, heavy water reactors, graphite and boiling water reactors, graphite-gas reactors, fast breeder reactors, and fourth generation reactors (definition, fast breeding). For these last ones, six concepts are presented: sodium-cooled fast reactor, lead-cooled fast reactor, gas-cooled fast reactor, high temperature gas-cooled reactor, supercritical water-cooled reactor, and molten salt reactor

2007 2008 ACADEMIC TRAINING PROGRAMME

CERN Multimedia

DSU Unit

2008-01-01

LECTURE SERIES 4 September 2008 11:00-12:00: AT Auditorium, Bldg 30-7-018 14:00-15:00: Main Auditorium, bldg. 500-1-001 ITER: Promises unkept ? Dr. Norbert HOLTKAMP / ITER Cadarache, France Fusion power as the source of energy on Earth has been the dream of mankind ever since the principles were understood. ITER, the Latin word for "the way", is the world’s largest Fusion device presently under construction in Cadarache, France. Supported by the People’s Republic of China, the European Atomic Energy Community, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, and the United States of America, an international organization was founded after the signature of the Joint ITER Agreement in October of 2006. The goal is to build a Fusion reactor with a power amplification of 10, a total fusion power of 500 MW or more operating at extended burn times of 400-3000 seconds, with Deuterium and Tritium as its basic fuel. Following a short introduction into fusion science principles, the ...

Literature research concerning alternative methods for validation of criticality calculation systems; Literaturrecherche zu alternativen Daten und Methoden zur Validierung von Kritikalitaetsrechensystemen

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Behler, Matthias

2016-05-15

Beside radiochemical analysis of irradiated fuel and critical experiments, which has become a well-established basis for the validation of depletion code and criticality codes respectively, also results of oscillation experiments or the operating conditions of power reactor and research reactors can provide useful information for the validation of the above mentioned codes. Based on a literature review the potential of the utilization of oscillation experiment measurements for the validation of criticality codes is estimated. It is found that the reactivity measurements for actinides and fission products within the CERES program on the reactors DIMPLE (Winfrith, UK) and MINERVE (Cadarache, France) can give a valuable addition to the commonly used critical experiments for criticality code validation. However, there are approaches but yet no generally satisfactory solution for integrating the reactivity measurements in a quantitative bias determination for the neutron multiplication factor of typical application cases including irradiated spent fuel outside reactor cores, calculated using common criticality codes.

Literature research concerning alternative methods for validation of criticality calculation systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Behler, Matthias

2016-05-01

Beside radiochemical analysis of irradiated fuel and critical experiments, which has become a well-established basis for the validation of depletion code and criticality codes respectively, also results of oscillation experiments or the operating conditions of power reactor and research reactors can provide useful information for the validation of the above mentioned codes. Based on a literature review the potential of the utilization of oscillation experiment measurements for the validation of criticality codes is estimated. It is found that the reactivity measurements for actinides and fission products within the CERES program on the reactors DIMPLE (Winfrith, UK) and MINERVE (Cadarache, France) can give a valuable addition to the commonly used critical experiments for criticality code validation. However, there are approaches but yet no generally satisfactory solution for integrating the reactivity measurements in a quantitative bias determination for the neutron multiplication factor of typical application cases including irradiated spent fuel outside reactor cores, calculated using common criticality codes.

Jules Horowitz reactor - Complementary safety assessment in the light of the Fukushima accident

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2011-01-01

This CSA (Complementary Safety Assessment) analyses the robustness of the Jules Horowitz reactor (RJH) to extreme situations such as those that led to the Fukushima accident and proposes a series of improvements. RJH is being built on the Cadarache CEA's site. Robustness is the ability for the facility to withstand events beyond the level for which the facility was designed. Robustness is linked to safety margins but also to the situations leading to a sudden deterioration of the accident sequence (cliff edge effect). Safety is not only a matter of design or of engineered systems, it is also a matter of organization. So issues like RJH's crisis organization, the organization of radiation protection, and work organization via subcontracting are also taken into consideration. This report is divided into 9 main chapters: 1) main features of the RJH facility, 2) identification of cliff edge risks and of equipment essential for safety, 3) earthquake risk, 4) flood risk, 5) risks due to other extreme natural disasters, 6) the loss of electrical power supplies and of cooling systems, 7) management of severe accidents, 8) subcontracting policy, 9) synthesis and list of improvements. This study shows a globally good robustness of the RJH for the considered risks. Nevertheless it can considered relevant to increase the robustness of the plant on a few points: -) to increase the seismic safety margins of some pieces of equipment, -) to increase the robustness of the internal electrical power supplies, -) to increase the fuel cooling capacity, and -) to improve the management of the post-accidental period. (A.C.)

Reactor core for LMFBR type reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Masumi, Ryoji; Azekura, Kazuo; Kurihara, Kunitoshi; Bando, Masaru; Watari, Yoshio.

1987-01-01

Purpose: To reduce the power distribution fluctuations and obtain flat and stable power distribution throughout the operation period in an LMFBR type reactor. Constitution: In the inner reactor core region and the outer reactor core region surrounding the same, the thickness of the inner region is made smaller than the axial height of the reactor core region and the radial width thereof is made smaller than that of the reactor core region and the volume thereof is made to 30 - 50 % for the reactor core region. Further, the amount of the fuel material per unit volume in the inner region is made to 70 - 90 % of that in the outer region. The difference in the neutron infinite multiplication factor between the inner region and the outer region is substantially constant irrespective of the burnup degree and the power distribution fluctuation can be reduced to about 2/3, by which the effect of thermal striping to the reactor core upper mechanisms can be moderated. Further, the maximum linear power during operation can be reduced by 3 %, by which the thermal margin in the reactor core is increased and the reactor core fuels can be saved by 3 %. (Kamimura, M.)

Pile noise experiment in MINERVE reactor to estimate kinetic parameters using various data processing methods

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Geslot, Benoit; Gruel, Adrien; Pepino, Alexandra; Di Salvo, Jacques; Izarra, Gregoire de; Jammes, Christian; Destouches, Christophe; Blaise, Patrick [CEA, DEN, DER/SPEx, Cadarache, F-13108 St Paul Lez Durance (France)

2015-07-01

MINERVE is a two-zone pool type zero power reactor operated by CEA (Cadarache, France). Kinetic parameters of the core (prompt neutron decay constant, delayed neutron fraction, generation time) have been recently measured using various pile noise experimental techniques, namely Feynman-α, Rossi-α and Cohn-α. Results are discussed and compared to each other's. The measurement campaign has been conducted in the framework of a tri-partite collaboration between CEA, SCK.CEN and PSI. Results presented in this paper were obtained thanks to a time-stamping acquisition system developed by CEA. PSI performed simultaneous measurements which are presented in a companion paper. Signals come from two high efficiency fission chambers located in the graphite reflector next to the core driver zone. Experiments were conducted at critical state with a reactor power of 0.2 W. The core integral fission rate is obtained from a calibrated miniature fission chamber located at the center of the core. Other results obtained in two sub-critical configurations will be presented elsewhere. Best estimate delayed neutron fraction comes from the Cohn-α method: 747 ± 15 pcm (1σ). In this case, the prompt decay constant is 79 ± 0.5 s{sup -1} and the generation time is 94.5 ± 0.7 μs. Other methods give consistent results within the confidence intervals. Experimental results are compared to calculated values obtained from a full 3D core modeling with the CEA-developed Monte Carlo code TRIPOLI4.9 associated with its continuous energy JEFF3.1.1-based library. A very good agreement is observed for the calculated delayed neutron fraction (748.7 ± 0.4 pcm at 1σ), that is a difference of -0.3% with the experiment. On the contrary, a 10% discrepancy is observed for the calculated generation time (104.4 ± 0.1 μs at 1σ). (authors)

Joint German/French S4-Analytical Report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Miemczyk, H.

1979-03-01

A joint German/French program was initiated to investigate in detail the behaviour of artificially defected fuel pins in a sodium loop of the SILOE reactor at Grenoble/France. Three irradiation experiments have been conducted in SILOE on representative SNR-type fuel pins (mixed oxide, low density, stainless steel cladding, external diameter 6 mm). The first experiment, S2, had been an unirradiated pin with a large interstitial defect (machined slit of 30x1 mm). The two following pins, S4 and S3, have been pre-irradiated in RAPSODIE (365 efpd, 10.6 % burnup). The main results of the S4-experiment are described and evaluated in the present report. They concern the following important aspects: sodium-uranate/plutonate formation and its kinetics, fuel loss, fission product release and fuel behaviour

Nuclear reactor construction with bottom supported reactor vessel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sharbaugh, J.E.

1987-01-01

This patent describes an improved liquid metal nuclear reactor construction comprising: (a) a nuclear reactor core having a bottom platform support structure; (b) a reactor vessel for holding a large pool of low pressure liquid metal coolant and housing the core; (c) a containment structure surrounding the reactor vessel and having a sidewall spaced outwardly from the reactor vessel side wall and having a base mat spaced below the reactor vessel bottom end wall; (d) a central small diameter post anchored to the containment structure base mat and extending upwardly to the reactor vessel to axially fix the bottom end wall of the reactor vessel and provide a center column support for the lower end of the reactor core; (e) annular support structure disposed in the reactor vessel on the bottom end wall and extending about the lower end of the core; (f) structural support means disposed between the containment structure base mat and bottom end of the reactor vessel wall and cooperating for supporting the reactor vessel at its bottom end wall on the containment structure base mat to allow the reactor vessel to expand radially but substantially prevent any lateral motions that might be imposed by the occurrence of a seismic event; (g) a bed of insulating material disposed between the containment structure base mat and the bottom end wall of the reactor vessel and uniformly supporting the reactor vessel at its bottom end wall; freely expand radially from the central post as it heats up while providing continuous support thereof; (h) a deck supported upon the wall of the containment vessel above the top open end of the reactor vessel; and (i) extendible and retractable coupling means extending between the deck and the top open end of the reactor vessel and flexibly and sealably interconnecting the reactor vessel at its top end to the deck

Experimental investigation of solid sodium-water reaction: tests results and phenomenological analysis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Daudin, K.; Beauchamp, F.; Proust, C.

2014-01-01

Sodium-Water Reaction (SWR) is an issue one has to be capable to deal with for the next generation of nuclear reactors (SFR for GEN IV). The background of these experiments is the improvement of safety demonstration regarding SWR in an open volume. This experimental campaign is conducted at the CEA Cadarache inside a cylindrical reactor filled with inert gas. The sodium is inside a loading pot and water comes into contact by immersion. SWR and its physical effects are followed by different pressure and temperature sensors. The results show a limit to the overpressure increasing sodium mass. Global assessment of physical effects of SWR contributes to put forward the relative nature of phenomena with geometric configuration, and the importance of scale effects. (authors)

Nuclear Energy Division. 2009 Activity report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2009-01-01

After a presentation of the future investment programme of the nuclear energy department at the French national Nuclear Research Center (CEA), this report proposes a description of tomorrow's industrial nuclear systems (back-end of future fuel cycle, fourth generation systems, basic scientific and technological research), describes how current nuclear industrial systems are optimized (front-end and back-end of fuel cycle, second and third generation reactors). It presents the main tools for nuclear development: simulation programme, the Jules Horowitz reactor project, maintenance of specific facilities, research valorisation. It reports the activities related to the clean-up and dismantling in different nuclear sites, presents the activities of CEA's nuclear research centres (Saclay, Cadarache, Marcoule), briefly presents the transverse material programme, recalls some events, and gives some key figures

Calculation of fluid-structure interaction for reactor safety with the Cassiopee code

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Graveleau, J.L.; Louvet, P.D.

1979-01-01

The cassiopee code is an eulerian-lagrangian coupled code for computations where the hydrodynamic is coupled with structural domains. It is completely explicit. The fluid zones may be computed either in lagrangian or in eulerian coordinates; thin shells can be computed wih their flexural behaviour; elastic plastic zones must be calculated in a lagrangian way. This code is under development in Cadarache. Its purpose is to compute the hypothetical core disruptive accident of a LMFBR when lagrangian codes are not sufficient. This paper contains a description of the code and two examples of computations, one of which has been compared with experimental results

Hearing of Mrs Marie-Pierre Comets and Mr Marc Sanson, commissioners of the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), as well as Mrs Marie-Claude Dupuis, general manager of the National Agency for the management of radioactive wastes (ANDRA), on the nuclear events in Cadarache

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2009-01-01

Representatives of the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN, Autorite de Surete Nucleaire) and of the French National Agency for the Management of Radioactive Wastes (ANDRA, Agence nationale pour la gestion des dechets radioactifs) answer questions about an incident which occurred in a workshop, where MOx fuel was produced and which is now being dismantled. It appeared that the amount of plutonium present in the gloveboxes has been largely under-assessed: 8 kg were expected, 22 kg of plutonium have already been recovered, and finally 39 kg might be recovered by the end the dismantling operations. Other issues are addressed like the ANDRA's projects of radioactive material geological storage, their technical and institutional aspects, and then again about the late declaration of the Cadarache incident

Modelling of thermal hydraulics in a KAROLINA calorimeter for its calibration methodology validation

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Luks Aleksandra

2016-12-01

Full Text Available Results of numerical calculations of heat exchange in a nuclear heating detector for nuclear reactors are presented in this paper. The gamma radiation is generated in nuclear reactor during fission and radiative capture reactions as well as radioactive decay of its products. A single-cell calorimeter has been designed for application in the MARIA research reactor in the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ in Świerk near Warsaw, Poland, and can also be used in the Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR, which is under construction in the research centre in Cadarache, France. It consists of a cylindrical sample, which is surrounded by a gas layer, contained in a cylindrical housing. Additional calculations had to be performed before its insertion into the reactor. Within this analysis, modern computational fluid dynamics (CFD methods have been used for assessing important parameters, for example, mean surface temperature, mean volume temperature, and maximum sample (calorimeter core temperature. Results of an experiment performed at a dedicated out-of-pile calibration bench and results of numerical modelling validation are also included in this paper.

Nuclear fusion - The Sun's promise: the race for nuclear fusion. The Canadian who wants to save the World. How ITER wants to get back on track

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dupin, Ludovic; Lucas, Thierry

2016-01-01

As some projects of development of reactor based on nuclear fusion already exist in France and in North America as prototypes or only projects with different objectives in terms of fabrication and exploitation, with the high ambition to produce an unlimited energy, a first article describes the works performed by start-ups in North America to develop new concepts of reactors based on nuclear fusion. These reactors are smaller, more flexible and less expensive than previous projects, and their development is supported by actors of the digital economy. A second article focuses on the example of General Fusion, a young Canadian company located near Vancouver, which is building its first prototypes of fusion reactor, and which succeeded in raising funds (more than hundred millions dollars), and grew from 4 to 65 employees in five years. The third article discusses the situation of ITER, the international experimental reactor which is being built in Cadarache, its delays and cost overruns, and the policy implemented by its new manager to try to get the project back on track

Contribution to uncertainties evaluation for fast reactors neutronic cross sections

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Privas, Edwin

2015-01-01

The thesis has been motivated by a wish to increase the uncertainty knowledge on nuclear data, for safety criteria. It aims the cross sections required by core calculation for sodium fast reactors (SFR), and new tools to evaluate its.The main objective of this work is to provide new tools in order to create coherent evaluated files, with reliable and mastered uncertainties. To answer those problematic, several methods have been implemented within the CONRAD code, which is developed at CEA of Cadarache. After a summary of all the elements required to understand the evaluation world, stochastic methods are presented in order to solve the Bayesian inference. They give the evaluator more information about probability density and they also can be used as validation tools. The algorithms have been successfully tested, despite long calculation time. Then, microscopic constraints have been implemented in CONRAD. They are defined as new information that should be taken into account during the evaluation process. An algorithm has been developed in order to solve, for example, continuity issues between two energy domains, with the Lagrange multiplier formalism. Another method is given by using a marginalization procedure, in order to either complete an existing evaluation with new covariance or add systematic uncertainty on an experiment described by two theories. The algorithms are well performed along examples, such the 238 U total cross section. The last parts focus on the integral data feedback, using methods of integral data assimilation to reduce the uncertainties on cross sections. This work ends with uncertainty reduction on key nuclear reactions, such the capture and fission cross sections of 238 U and 239 Pu, thanks to PROFIL and PROFIL-2 experiments in Phenix and the Jezebel benchmark. (author) [fr

Generation IV reactors: reactor concepts

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cardonnier, J.L.; Dumaz, P.; Antoni, O.; Arnoux, P.; Bergeron, A.; Renault, C.; Rimpault, G.; Delpech, M.; Garnier, J.C.; Anzieu, P.; Francois, G.; Lecomte, M.

2003-01-01

Liquid metal reactor concept looks promising because of its hard neutron spectrum. Sodium reactors benefit a large feedback experience in Japan and in France. Lead reactors have serious assets concerning safety but they require a great effort in technological research to overcome the corrosion issue and they lack a leader country to develop this innovative technology. In molten salt reactor concept, salt is both the nuclear fuel and the coolant fluid. The high exit temperature of the primary salt (700 Celsius degrees) allows a high energy efficiency (44%). Furthermore molten salts have interesting specificities concerning the transmutation of actinides: they are almost insensitive to irradiation damage, some salts can dissolve large quantities of actinides and they are compatible with most reprocessing processes based on pyro-chemistry. Supercritical water reactor concept is based on operating temperature and pressure conditions that infers water to be beyond its critical point. In this range water gets some useful characteristics: - boiling crisis is no more possible because liquid and vapour phase can not coexist, - a high heat transfer coefficient due to the low thermal conductivity of supercritical water, and - a high global energy efficiency due to the high temperature of water. Gas-cooled fast reactors combining hard neutron spectrum and closed fuel cycle open the way to a high valorization of natural uranium while minimizing ultimate radioactive wastes and proliferation risks. Very high temperature gas-cooled reactor concept is developed in the prospect of producing hydrogen from no-fossil fuels in large scale. This use implies a reactor producing helium over 1000 Celsius degrees. (A.C.)

Synthesis of clad motion experiments interpretation: codes and validation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Papin, J.; Fortunato, M.; Seiler, J.M.

1983-04-01

This communication deals with clad melting and relocation phenomena related to LMFBR safety analysis of loss of flow accidents. We present: - the physical models developed at DSN/CEN Cadarache in single channel and bundle geometry. The interpretation with these models of experiments performed by the STT (CEN Grenoble). It comes out that we have now obtained a good understanding of the involved phenomena in single channel geometry. On the other hand, further studies are necessary for a better knowledge of clad motion phenomena in bundle cases with conditions close to reactor ones

Nuclear reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hattori, Sadao; Sato, Morihiko.

1994-01-01

Liquid metals such as liquid metal sodium are filled in a reactor container as primary coolants. A plurality of reactor core containers are disposed in a row in the circumferential direction along with the inner circumferential wall of the reactor container. One or a plurality of intermediate coolers are disposed at the inside of an annular row of the reactor core containers. A reactor core constituted with fuel rods and control rods (module reactor core) is contained at the inside of each of the reactor core containers. Each of the intermediate coolers comprises a cylindrical intermediate cooling vessels. The intermediate cooling vessel comprises an intermediate heat exchanger for heat exchange of primary coolants and secondary coolants and recycling pumps for compulsorily recycling primary coolants at the inside thereof. Since a plurality of reactor core containers are thus assembled, a great reactor power can be attained. Further, the module reactor core contained in one reactor core vessel may be small sized, to facilitate the control for the reactor core operation. (I.N.)

The CAREM reactor and present currents in reactor design

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ordonez, J.P.

1990-01-01

INVAP has been working on the CAREM project since 1983. It concerns a very low power reactor for electrical energy generation. The design of the reactor and the basic criteria used were described in 1984. Since then, a series of designs have been presented for reactors which are similar to CAREM regarding the solutions presented to reduce the chance of major nuclear accidents. These designs have been grouped under different names: Advanced Reactors, Second Generation Reactors, Inherently Safe Reactors, or even, Revolutionary Reactors. Every reactor fabrication firm has, at least, one project which can be placed in this category. Presently, there are two main currents of Reactor Design; Evolutionary and Revolutionary. The present work discusses characteristics of these two types of reactors, some revolutionary designs and common criteria to both types. After, these criteria are compared with CAREM reactor design. (Author) [es

Neutron behavior, reactor control, and reactor heat transfer. Volume four

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1986-01-01

Volume four covers neutron behavior (neutron absorption, how big are nuclei, neutron slowing down, neutron losses, the self-sustaining reactor), reactor control (what is controlled in a reactor, controlling neutron population, is it easy to control a reactor, range of reactor control, what happens when the fuel burns up, controlling a PWR, controlling a BWR, inherent safety of reactors), and reactor heat transfer (heat generation in a nuclear reactor, how is heat removed from a reactor core, heat transfer rate, heat transfer properties of the reactor coolant)

Reactor science and technology: operation and control of reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Qiu Junlong

1994-01-01

This article is a collection of short reports on reactor operation and research in China in 1991. The operation of and research activities linked with the Heavy Water Research Reactor, Swimming Pool Reactor and Miniature Neutron Source Reactor are briefly surveyed. A number of papers then follow on the developing strategies in Chinese fast breeder reactor technology including the conceptual design of an experimental fast reactor (FFR), theoretical studies of FFR thermo-hydraulics and a design for an immersed sodium flowmeter. Reactor physics studies cover a range of topics including several related to work on zero power reactors. The section on reactor safety analysis is concerned largely with the assessment of established, and the presentation of new, computer codes for use in PWR safety calculations. Experimental and theoretical studies of fuels and reactor materials for FBRs, PWRs, BWRs and fusion reactors are described. A final miscellaneous section covers Mo-Tc isotope production in the swimming pool reactor, convective heat transfer in tubes and diffusion of tritium through plastic/aluminium composite films and Li 2 SiO 3 . (UK)

Nuclear power reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1982-11-01

After an introduction and general explanation of nuclear power the following reactor types are described: magnox thermal reactor; advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR); pressurised water reactor (PWR); fast reactors (sodium cooled); boiling water reactor (BWR); CANDU thermal reactor; steam generating heavy water reactor (SGHWR); high temperature reactor (HTR); Leningrad (RMBK) type water-cooled graphite moderated reactor. (U.K.)

Roles of plasma neutron source reactor in development of fusion reactor engineering: Comparison with fission reactor engineering

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hirayama, Shoichi; Kawabe, Takaya

1995-01-01

The history of development of fusion power reactor has come to a turning point, where the main research target is now shifting from the plasma heating and confinement physics toward the burning plasma physics and reactor engineering. Although the development of fusion reactor system is the first time for human beings, engineers have experience of development of fission power reactor. The common feature between them is that both are plants used for the generation of nuclear reactions for the production of energy, nucleon, and radiation on an industrial scale. By studying the history of the development of the fission reactor, one can find the existence of experimental neutron reactors including irradiation facilities for fission reactor materials. These research neutron reactors played very important roles in the development of fission power reactors. When one considers the strategy of development of fusion power reactors from the points of fusion reactor engineering, one finds that the fusion neutron source corresponds to the neutron reactor in fission reactor development. In this paper, the authors discuss the roles of the plasma-based neutron source reactors in the development of fusion reactor engineering, by comparing it with the neutron reactors in the history of fission power development, and make proposals for the strategy of the fusion reactor development. 21 refs., 6 figs

Reactor physics aspects of CANDU reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Critoph, E.

1980-01-01

These four lectures are being given at the Winter Course on Nuclear Physics at Trieste during 1978 February. They constitute part of the third week's lectures in Part II: Reactor Theory and Power Reactors. A physical description of CANDU reactors is given, followed by an overview of CANDU characteristics and some of the design options. Basic lattice physics is discussed in terms of zero energy lattice experiments, irradiation effects and analytical methods. Start-up and commissioning experiments in CANDU reactors are reviewed, and some of the more interesting aspects of operation discussed - fuel management, flux mapping and control of the power distribution. Finally, some of the characteristics of advanced fuel cycles that have been proposed for CANDU reactors are summarized. (author)

Research reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kowarski, L.

1955-01-01

It brings together the techniques data which are involved in the discussion about the utility for a research institute to acquire an atomic reactor for research purposes. This type of decision are often taken by non-specialist people who can need a brief presentation of a research reactor and its possibilities in term of research before asking advises to experts. In a first part, it draws up a list of the different research programs which can be studied by getting a research reactor. First of all is the reactor behaviour and kinetics studies (reproducibility factor, exploration of neutron density, effect of reactor structure, effect of material irradiation...). Physical studies includes study of the behaviour of the control system, studies of neutron resonance phenomena and study of the fission process for example. Chemical studies involves the study of manipulation and control of hot material, characterisation of nuclear species produced in the reactor and chemical effects of irradiation on chemical properties and reactions. Biology and medicine research involves studies of irradiation on man and animals, genetics research, food or medical tools sterilization and neutron beams effect on tumour for example. A large number of other subjects can be studied in a reactor research as reactor construction material research, fabrication of radioactive sources for radiographic techniques or applied research as in agriculture or electronic. The second part discussed the technological considerations when choosing the reactor type. The technological factors, which are considered for its choice, are the power of the reactor, the nature of the fuel which is used, the type of moderator (water, heavy water, graphite or BeO) and the reflector, the type of coolants, the protection shield and the control systems. In the third part, it described the characteristics (place of installation, type of combustible and comments) and performance (power, neutron flux ) of already existing

Comparison between TRU burning reactors and commercial fast reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fujimura, Koji; Sanda, Toshio; Ogawa, Takashi

2001-03-01

Research and development for stabilizing or shortening the radioactive wastes including in spent nuclear fuel are widely conducted in view point of reducing the environmental impact. Especially it is effective way to irradiate and transmute long-lived TRU by fast reactors. Two types of loading way were previously proposed. The former is loading relatively small amount of TRU in all commercial fast reactors and the latter is loading large amount of TRU in a few TRU burning reactors. This study has been intended to contribute to the feasibility studies on commercialized fast reactor cycle system. The transmutation and nuclear characteristics of TRU burning reactors were evaluated and compared with those of conventional transmutation system using commercial type fast reactor based upon the investigation of technical information about TRU burning reactors. Major results are summarized as follows. (1) Investigation of technical information about TRU burning reactors. Based on published reports and papers, technical information about TRU burning reactor concepts transmutation system using convectional commercial type fast reactors were investigated. Transmutation and nuclear characteristics or R and D issue were investigated based on these results. Homogeneously loading of about 5 wt% MAs on core fuels in the conventional commercial type fast reactor may not cause significant impact on the nuclear core characteristics. Transmutation of MAs being produced in about five fast reactors generating the same output is feasible. The helium cooled MA burning fast reactor core concept propose by JAERI attains criticality using particle type nitride fuels which contain more than 60 wt% MA. This reactor could transmute MAs being produced in more than ten 1000 MWe-LWRs. Ultra-long life core concepts attaining more than 30 years operation without refueling by utilizing MA's nuclear characteristics as burnable absorber and fertile nuclides were proposed. Those were pointed out that

Nuclear reactor types

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jones, P.M.S.

1987-01-01

The characteristics of different reactor types designed to exploit controlled fission reactions are explained. Reactors vary from low power research devices to high power devices especially designed to produce heat, either for direct use or to produce steam to drive turbines to generate electricity or propel ships. A general outline of basic reactors (thermal and fast) is given and then the different designs considered. The first are gas cooled, including the Magnox reactors (a list of UK Magnox stations and reactor performance is given), advanced gas cooled reactors (a list of UK AGRs is given) and the high temperature reactor. Light water cooled reactors (pressurized water [PWR] and boiling water [BWR] reactors) are considered next. Heavy water reactors are explained and listed. The pressurized heavy water reactors (including CANDU type reactors), boiling light water, steam generating heavy water reactors and gas cooled heavy water reactors all come into this category. Fast reactors (liquid metal fast breeder reactors and gas cooled fast reactors) and then water-cooled graphite-moderated reactors (RBMK) (the type at Chernobyl-4) are discussed. (U.K.)

Reactor containment and reactor safety in the United States

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kouts, H.

1986-01-01

The reactor safety systems of two reactors are studied aiming at the reactor containment integrity. The first is a BWR type reactor and is called Peachbottom 2, and the second is a PWR type reactor, and is called surry. (E.G.) [pt

Reactor Physics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ait Abderrahim, A.

2002-01-01

SCK-CEN's Reactor Physics and MYRRHA Department offers expertise in various areas of reactor physics, in particular in neutron and gamma calculations, reactor dosimetry, reactor operation and control, reactor code benchmarking and reactor safety calculations. This expertise is applied in the Department's own research projects in the VENUS critical facility, in the BR1 reactor and in the MYRRHA project (this project aims at designing a prototype Accelerator Driven System). Available expertise is also used in programmes external to the Department such as the reactor pressure steel vessel programme, the BR2 materials testing reactor dosimetry, and the preparation and interpretation of irradiation experiments by means of neutron and gamma calculations. The activities of the Fuzzy Logic and Intelligent Technologies in Nuclear Science programme cover several domains outside the department. Progress and achievements in these topical areas in 2001 are summarised

Reactor Physics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ait Abderrahim, A

2001-04-01

The Reactor Physics and MYRRHA Department of SCK-CEN offers expertise in various areas of reactor physics, in particular in neutronics calculations, reactor dosimetry, reactor operation, reactor safety and control and non-destructive analysis of reactor fuel. This expertise is applied in the Department's own research projects in the VENUS critical facility, in the BR1 reactor and in the MYRRHA project (this project aims at designing a prototype Accelerator Driven System). Available expertise is also used in programmes external to the Department such as the reactor pressure steel vessel programme, the BR2 reactor dosimetry, and the preparation and interpretation of irradiation experiments by means of neutron and gamma calculations. The activities of the Fuzzy Logic and Intelligent Technologies in Nuclear Science programme cover several domains outside the department. Progress and achievements in these topical areas in 2000 are summarised.

Reactor Physics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ait Abderrahim, A.

2001-01-01

The Reactor Physics and MYRRHA Department of SCK-CEN offers expertise in various areas of reactor physics, in particular in neutronics calculations, reactor dosimetry, reactor operation, reactor safety and control and non-destructive analysis of reactor fuel. This expertise is applied in the Department's own research projects in the VENUS critical facility, in the BR1 reactor and in the MYRRHA project (this project aims at designing a prototype Accelerator Driven System). Available expertise is also used in programmes external to the Department such as the reactor pressure steel vessel programme, the BR2 reactor dosimetry, and the preparation and interpretation of irradiation experiments by means of neutron and gamma calculations. The activities of the Fuzzy Logic and Intelligent Technologies in Nuclear Science programme cover several domains outside the department. Progress and achievements in these topical areas in 2000 are summarised

Reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Toyama, Masahiro; Kasai, Shigeo.

1978-01-01

Purpose: To provide a lmfbr type reactor wherein effusion of coolants through a loop contact portion is reduced even when fuel assemblies float up, and misloading of reactor core constituting elements is prevented thereby improving the reactor safety. Constitution: The reactor core constituents are secured in the reactor by utilizing the differential pressure between the high-pressure cooling chamber and low-pressure cooling chamber. A resistance port is formed at the upper part of a connecting pipe, and which is connect the low-pressure cooling chamber and the lower surface of the reactor core constituent. This resistance part is formed such that the internal sectional area of the connecting pipe is made larger stepwise toward the upper part, and the cylinder is formed larger so that it profiles the inner surface of the connecting pipe. (Aizawa, K.)

JHR Project: a future Material Testing Reactor working as an International user Facility: The key-role of instrumentation in support to the development of modern experimental capacity

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bignan, G. [CEA, DEN, DER, JHR user Facility Interface Manager' , Cadarache, F-13108 St-Paul-Lez-Durance (France); Gonnier, C. [CEA, DEN, DER, SRJH Jules Horowitz Reactor Service, Cadarache, F-13108 St-Paul-Lez-Durance (France); Lyoussi, A.; Villard, J.F.; Destouches, C. [CEA, DEN, DER, Instrumentation Sensors and Dosimetry Laboratory, Cadarache, F-13108 St-Paul-Lez-Durance (France); Chauvin, J.P. [CEA,DEN, DER, SPEX, Experimental Physics Service, Cadarache, F-13108 St-Paul-Lez-Durance (France); Maugard, B. [CEA, DEN, DER, Reactor Department Studies, Cadarache, F-13108 St-Paul-Lez-Durance (France)

2015-07-01

construction at CEA Cadarache research centre in the south of France will represent a major Research Infrastructure for scientific studies regarding material and fuel behavior under irradiation. It will also be devoted to medical isotopes production. Hence JHR will offer a real opportunity to perform R and D programs regarding needs above and hence will crucially contribute to the selection, optimization and qualification of these innovative materials and fuels. The JHR reactor objectives, principles and main characteristics associated to specific experimental devices associated to measurement techniques and methodology, their performances, their limitations and field of applications will be presented and discussed. (authors)

Reactor Physics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ait Abderrahim, A

2002-04-01

SCK-CEN's Reactor Physics and MYRRHA Department offers expertise in various areas of reactor physics, in particular in neutron and gamma calculations, reactor dosimetry, reactor operation and control, reactor code benchmarking and reactor safety calculations. This expertise is applied in the Department's own research projects in the VENUS critical facility, in the BR1 reactor and in the MYRRHA project (this project aims at designing a prototype Accelerator Driven System). Available expertise is also used in programmes external to the Department such as the reactor pressure steel vessel programme, the BR2 materials testing reactor dosimetry, and the preparation and interpretation of irradiation experiments by means of neutron and gamma calculations. The activities of the Fuzzy Logic and Intelligent Technologies in Nuclear Science programme cover several domains outside the department. Progress and achievements in these topical areas in 2001 are summarised.

Research reactor standards and their impact on the TRIGA reactor community

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Richards, W.J.

1980-01-01

The American Nuclear Society has established a standards committee devoted to writing standards for research reactors. This committee was formed in 1971 and has since that time written over 15 standards that cover all aspects of research reactor operation. The committee has representation from virtually every group concerned with research reactors and their operation. This organization includes University reactors, National laboratory reactors, Nuclear Regulatory commission, Department of Energy and private nuclear companies and insurers. Since its beginning the committee has developed standards in the following areas: Standard for the development of technical specifications for research reactors; Quality control for plate-type uranium-aluminium fuel elements; Records and reports for research reactors; Selection and training of personnel for research reactors; Review of experiments for research reactors; Research reactor site evaluation; Quality assurance program requirements for research reactors; Decommissioning of research reactors; Radiological control at research reactor facilities; Design objectives for and monitoring of systems controlling research reactor effluents; Physical security for research reactor facilities; Criteria for the reactor safety systems of research reactors; Emergency planning for research reactors; Fire protection program requirements for research reactors; Standard for administrative controls for research reactors. Besides writing the above standards, the committee is very active in using communications with the nuclear regulatory commission on proposed rules or positions which will affect the research reactor community

Reactor operation

CERN Document Server

Shaw, J

2013-01-01

Reactor Operation covers the theoretical aspects and design information of nuclear reactors. This book is composed of nine chapters that also consider their control, calibration, and experimentation.The opening chapters present the general problems of reactor operation and the principles of reactor control and operation. The succeeding chapters deal with the instrumentation, start-up, pre-commissioning, and physical experiments of nuclear reactors. The remaining chapters are devoted to the control rod calibrations and temperature coefficient measurements in the reactor. These chapters also exp

Improved nuclear reactor construction with bottom supported reactor vessel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sharbaugh, J.E.

1987-01-01

An improved liquid metal nuclear reactor construction has a reactor core and a generally cylindrical reactor vessel for holding liquid metal coolant and housing the core within the pool. A generally cylindrical concrete containment structure surrounds the reactor vessel and a central support pedestal is anchored to the containment structure base mat and supports the bottom wall of the reactor vessel and the reactor core. The periphery of the reactor vessel bore is supported by an annular structure which allows thermal expansion but not seismic motion of the vessel, and a bed of thermally insulating material uniformly supports the vessel base whilst allowing expansion thereof. A guard ring prevents lateral seismic motion of the upper end of the reactor vessel. The periphery of the core is supported by an annular structure supported by the vessel base and keyed to the vessel wall so as to be able to expand but not undergo seismic motion. A deck is supported on the containment structure above the reactor vessel open top by annular bellows, the deck carrying the reactor control rods such that heating of the reactor vessel results in upward expansion against the control rods. (author)

Reactor as furnace and reactor as lamp

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Goldanskii, V.I.

1992-01-01

There are presented general characteristics of the following ways of transforming of nuclear energy released in reactors into chemical : ordinary way (i.e. trough the heat, mechanical energy and electricity); chemonuclear synthesis ; use of high-temperature fuel elements (reactor as furnace); use of the mixed nγ-radiation of reactors; use of the radiation loops; radiation - photochemical synthesis (reactor as lamp). Advantage and disadvantages of all above variants are compared. The yield of the primary product of fixation of nitrogen (nitric oxide NO) in reactor with the high-temperature (above ca. 1900degC) fuel elements (reactor-furnace) can exceed W ∼ 200 kg per gram of burned uranium. For the latter variant (reactor-lamp) the yield of chemical products can reach W ∼ 60 kg. per gram of uranium. Such values of W are close to or even strongly exceed the yields of chemical products for other abovementioned variants and - what is particularly important - are not connected to the necessity of archscrupulous removal of radioactive contamination of products. (author)

Development of Reactor Console Simulator for PUSPATI TRIGA Reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mohd Idris Taib; Izhar Abu Hussin; Mohd Khairulezwan Abdul Manan; Nufarhana Ayuni Joha; Mohd Sabri Minhat

2012-01-01

The Reactor Console Simulator will be an interactive tool for operator training and teaching of PUSPATI TRIGA Reactor. Behaviour and characteristic for reactor console and reactor itself can be evaluated and understand. This Simulator will be used as complement for actual present reactor console. Implementation of man-machine interface is using computer screens, keyboard and mouse. Multiple screens are used to match the physical of present reactor console. LabVIEW software are using for user interface and mathematical calculation. Polynomial equation based on control rods calibration data as well as operation parameters record was used to calculate the estimated reactor console parameters. (author)

Chemistry of radio-frequency source of negative hydrogen ions; Chemia radio-frekvencneho zdroja negativnych ionov vodika

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Skoviera, J.; Cernusak, I. [Univerzita Komenskeho, Prirodovedecka fakulta, Katedra fyzikalnej a teoretickej chemie, 84215 Bratislava (Slovakia)

2013-04-16

International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is a prototype of nuclear fusion reactor Tokamak currently build in Cadarache. It will use as one of primary plasma heating components a radiofrequency driven negative ion source of deuterium. The purpose of cesium evaporated in the part of this ion source is to react with free electrons which can incidentally destroy generated hydrogen ions and are co-extracted with the hydrogen beam. Goal of this work is to investigate majority of processes which might have impact on hydrogen anion in either formative or destructive way associated with cesium. Generally the caesium dynamics is very complex in such sources and the interplay of the individual contributions and their control to establish optimum caesium coverage of the plasma grid is still an open issue. (authors)

Propagation of Nuclear Data Uncertainties in Integral Measurements by Monte-Carlo Calculations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Noguere, G.; Bernard, D.; De Saint-Jean, C. [CEA Cadarache, 13 - Saint Paul lez Durance (France)

2006-07-01

Full text of the publication follows: The generation of Multi-group cross sections together with relevant uncertainties is fundamental to assess the quality of integral data. The key information that are needed to propagate the microscopic experimental uncertainties to macroscopic reactor calculations are (1) the experimental covariance matrices, (2) the correlations between the parameters of the model and (3) the covariance matrices for the multi-group cross sections. The propagation of microscopic errors by Monte-Carlo technique was applied to determine the accuracy of the integral trends provided by the OSMOSE experiment carried out in the MINERVE reactor of the CEA Cadarache. The technique consists in coupling resonance shape analysis and deterministic codes. The integral trend and its accuracy obtained on the {sup 237}Np(n,{gamma}) reaction will be presented. (author)

The Muse-4 experiment: measurement of the kinetic parameters of a subcritical system; L'experience MUSE-4: mesure des parametres cinetiques d'un systeme sous-critique

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vollaire, J

2004-10-01

Accelerator Driven Systems (ADS) which are based on an external neutron source coupled to a subcritical core, offer advantages for the incineration of radioactive waste. In order to understand the neutronic specificity of such a system, during the MUSE IV experimental program, the experimental reactor MASURCA (CEA Cadarache) has been coupled to the neutrons source GENEPI. This setup has enabled the development of an on-line measurement technique of the effective multiplication factor. This measurement benefits from the characteristics of the reactor response depending on the multiplication factor at the prompt fission and delayed fission time scales. The analysis of those experiments shows that the proposed method give results in agreement with the one deduced using classical reactivity measurement techniques which can not however be used in a power ADS. (author)

Reactor safeguards

CERN Document Server

Russell, Charles R

1962-01-01

Reactor Safeguards provides information for all who are interested in the subject of reactor safeguards. Much of the material is descriptive although some sections are written for the engineer or physicist directly concerned with hazards analysis or site selection problems. The book opens with an introductory chapter on radiation hazards, the construction of nuclear reactors, safety issues, and the operation of nuclear reactors. This is followed by separate chapters that discuss radioactive materials, reactor kinetics, control and safety systems, containment, safety features for water reactor

Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) and Boiling Water Reactors (BWR) are compared

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Greneche, D.

2014-01-01

This article compares the 2 types of light water reactors that are used to produce electricity: the Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) and the Boiling Water Reactor (BWR). Historically the BWR concept was developed after the PWR concept. Today 80% of light water reactors operating in the world are of PWR-type. This comparison is comprehensive and detailed. First the main technical features are reviewed and compared: reactor architecture, core and fuel design, reactivity control, reactor vessel, cooling systems and reactor containment. Secondly, various aspects concerning reactor operations like reactor control, fuel management, maintenance, inspections, radiation protection, waste generation and reactor reliability are presented and compared for both reactors. As for the issue of safety, it is highlighted that the accidental situations are too different for the 2 reactors to be compared. The main features of reactor safety are explained for both reactors

Control of reactor coolant flow path during reactor decay heat removal

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hunsbedt, A.N.

1988-01-01

This patent describes a sodium cooled reactor of the type having a reactor hot pool, a slightly lower pressure reactor cold pool and a reactor vessel liner defining a reactor vessel liner flow gap separating the hot pool and the cold pool along the reactor vessel sidewalls and wherein the normal sodium circuit in the reactor includes main sodium reactor coolant pumps having a suction on the lower pressure sodium cold pool and an outlet to a reactor core; the reactor core for heating the sodium and discharging the sodium to the reactor hot pool; a heat exchanger for receiving sodium from the hot pool, and removing heat from the sodium and discharging the sodium to the lower pressure cold pool; the improvement across the reactor vessel liner comprising: a jet pump having a venturi installed across the reactor vessel liner, the jet pump having a lower inlet from the reactor vessel cold pool across the reactor vessel liner and an upper outlet to the reactor vessel hot pool

The research reactors their contribution to the reactors physics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Barral, J.C.; Zaetta, A.; Johner, J.; Mathoniere, G.

2000-01-01

The 19 october 2000, the french society of nuclear energy organized a day on the research reactors. This associated report of the technical session, reactors physics, is presented in two parts. The first part deals with the annual meeting and groups general papers on the pressurized water reactors, the fast neutrons reactors and the fusion reactors industry. The second part presents more technical papers about the research programs, critical models, irradiation reactors (OSIRIS and Jules Horowitz) and computing tools. (A.L.B.)

Reactor noise analysis of experimental fast reactor 'JOYO'

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ohtani, Hideji; Yamamoto, Hisashi

1980-01-01

As a part of dynamics tests in experimental fast reactor ''JOYO'', reactor noise tests were carried out. The reactor noise analysis techniques are effective for study of plant characteristics by determining fluctuations of process signals (neutron signal, reactor inlet temperature signals, etc.), which are able to be measured without disturbances for reactor operations. The aims of reactor noise tests were to confirm that no unstable phenomenon exists in ''JOYO'' and to gain initial data of the plant for reference of the future data. Data for the reactor noise tests treated in this paper were obtained at 50 MW power level. Fluctuations of process signals were amplified and recorded on analogue tapes. The analysis was performed using noise code (NOISA) of digital computer, with which statistical values of ASPD (auto power spectral density), CPSD (cross power spectral density), and CF (coherence function) were calculated. The primary points of the results are as follows. 1. RMS value of neutron signal at 50 MW power level is about 0.03 MW. This neutron fluctuation is not disturbing reactor operations. 2. The fluctuations of A loop reactor inlet temperatures (T sub(AI)) are larger than the fluctuations of B loop reactor inlet temperature (T sub(BI)). For this reason, the major driving force of neutron fluctuations seems to be the fluctuations of T sub(AI). 3. Core and blanket subassemblies can be divided into two halves (A and B region), with respect to the spacial motion of temperature in the reactor core. A or B region means the region in which sodium temperature fluctuations in subassembly are significantly affected by T sub(AI) or T sub(BI), respectively. This phenomenon seems to be due to the lack of mixing of A and B loop sodium in lower plenum of reactor vessel. (author)

CEA nuclear energy Directorate - Activity report 2012

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2013-01-01

After an overview of the activities of the Directorate at the international level, of its scientific activities, and of the consideration given to quality, and a presentation of the transverse program on advanced materials, this report proposes presentations of activities in different domains: future nuclear industrial systems (reactors of 4. generation, back-end of the future cycle, sustainable management of nuclear materials, fundamental scientific and technological research), optimization of the present industrial nuclear activity (reactors of 2. and 3. generation, front-end and back-end of the fuel cycle), the main tools for nuclear development (numerical simulation, the Jules Horowitz reactor), valorisation, economic support of Haute-Marne and Meuse territories (the Syndiese project), nuclear dismantling and decontamination (dismantling projects, projects and works in Fontenay-aux-Roses, Grenoble and Saclay, waste and material flow management, nuclear service facilities, transports). It also presents the activities of some specific CEA centres like Marcoule (R and D in fuel cycle), Cadarache (future energies) and Saclay (nuclear sciences and simulation of reactors and fuel cycle)

Scientists from all over the world attended the 'Frederic Joliot/Otto Hahn Summer School 2011' at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sanchez, Victor H.; Fischer, Ulrich

2011-01-01

The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Commissariat r leEnergie Atomique et Aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Cadarache, alternate in organizing the annual 'Frederic Joliot/Otto Hahn Summer School.' This year's event, the 17th since its inception, was held in Karlsruhe, Germany on August 25 to September 3. Its topic was 'High-fidelity Modeling for Nuclear Reactors: Challenges and Prospects.' Here is a list of the subjects covered: - Status and perspectives of modeling and its role in design, operation, and safety. - Thermal hydraulics of nuclear reactors and simulation of 2 phase flows. - Structural mechanics, structure? fluid interaction, and seismic safety. - Advanced simulation in neutronics and reactor physics. - Progress in simulating fuel and materials behavior. - Multiphysics and uncertainty analysis methods. Experts from eight leading international research institutions and universities presented, and discussed with the 59 participants from 19 countries, the current state of the art and most recent development trends in the subjects listed above. (orig.)

Scientists from all over the world attended the 'Frederic Joliot/Otto Hahn Summer School 2011' at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT); Wissenschaftler aus aller Welt bei der 'Frederic Joliot/Otto Hahn Summer School 2011' am Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sanchez, Victor H.; Fischer, Ulrich [Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen (DE). Inst. for Neutron Physics and Reactor Technology (INR)

2011-12-15

The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Commissariat r leEnergie Atomique et Aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Cadarache, alternate in organizing the annual 'Frederic Joliot/Otto Hahn Summer School.' This year's event, the 17th since its inception, was held in Karlsruhe, Germany on August 25 to September 3. Its topic was 'High-fidelity Modeling for Nuclear Reactors: Challenges and Prospects.' Here is a list of the subjects covered: - Status and perspectives of modeling and its role in design, operation, and safety. - Thermal hydraulics of nuclear reactors and simulation of 2 phase flows. - Structural mechanics, structure? fluid interaction, and seismic safety. - Advanced simulation in neutronics and reactor physics. - Progress in simulating fuel and materials behavior. - Multiphysics and uncertainty analysis methods. Experts from eight leading international research institutions and universities presented, and discussed with the 59 participants from 19 countries, the current state of the art and most recent development trends in the subjects listed above. (orig.)

Scientists from all over the world attend the ''Frederic Joliot/Otto Hahn Summer School 2009'' at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT); Wissenschaftler aus aller Welt bei der ''Frederic Joliot/Otto Hahn Summer School 2009'' am Karlsruhe Institute of Technologie (KIT)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sanchez Espinoza, Victor Hugo; Fischer, Ulrich [Karlsruhe Inst. of Tech. (KIT), Campus Nord/Inst. for Neutron Physics and Reactor Tech. (INR), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen (Germany)

2009-11-15

The ''Frederic Joliot/Otto Hahn Summer School'' is organized each year alternately by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique (CEA), Cadarache. This year's Summer School, the 15th since its foundation, was run at the Advanced Training Center (FTU) of KIT Campus Nord on August 26 to September 4. The key topic this year was ''The Challenges in Implementing Fast Reactor Technology.'' These are the items discussed: Principles and challenges of future fast reactor designs, Fuels, fuel cycle, and recycling of minor actinides, Innovative cladding tube and structural materials, Special aspects of coolants and the challenges they pose, Fast reactor safety. Experts from 8 leading international research establishments and universities presented and discussed with the 58 participants from 16 countries the current state of the art and the latest development trends in the topics listed above. (orig.)

Reactor physics and reactor computations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ronen, Y.; Elias, E.

1994-01-01

Mathematical methods and computer calculations for nuclear and thermonuclear reactor kinetics, reactor physics, neutron transport theory, core lattice parameters, waste treatment by transmutation, breeding, nuclear and thermonuclear fuels are the main interests of the conference

Reactor water spontaneous circulation structure in reactor pressure vessel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Takahashi, Kazumi

1998-01-01

The gap between the inner wall of a reactor pressure vessel of a BWR type reactor and a reactor core shroud forms a down comer in which reactor water flows downwardly. A feedwater jacket to which feedwater at low temperature is supplied is disposed at the outer circumference of the pressure vessel just below a gas/water separator. The reactor water at the outer circumferential portion just below the air/water separator is cooled by the feedwater jacket, and the feedwater after cooling is supplied to the feedwater entrance disposed below the feedwater jacket by way of a feedwater introduction line to supply the feedwater to the lower portion of the down comer. This can cool the reactor water in the down comer to increase the reactor water density in the down comer thereby forming strong downward flows and promote the recycling of the reactor water as a whole. With such procedures, the reactor water can be recycled stably only by the difference of the specific gravity of the reactor water without using an internal pump. In addition, the increase of the height of the pressure vessel can be suppressed. (I.N.)

Reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ikeda, Masaomi; Kashimura, Kazuo; Inoue, Kazuyuki; Nishioka, Kazuya.

1979-01-01

Purpose: To facilitate the construction of a reactor containment building, whereby the inspections of the outer wall of a reactor container after the completion of the construction of the reactor building can be easily carried out. Constitution: In a reactor accommodated in a container encircled by a building wall, a space is provided between the container and the building wall encircling the container, and a metal wall is provided in the space so that it is fitted in the building wall in an attachable or detatchable manner. (Aizawa, K.)

Neutron spectrometry in mixed fields: characterisation of the Ra-1- reactor workplace

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gregori, B.; Carelli, J.; Cruzate, J.; Papadopulos, S.

2006-01-01

The characterisation of the neutron spectrum of a workplace is an essential dosimetric tool for improving the assessment of the personal equivalent dose of the workers. In addition, if the operational conditions of the facility are well defined, the set of field spectra obtained may be used as a reference for comparing the performance of different type of neutron detectors. Recently, using a neutron spectrometric system based on a set of moderated spheres with 3 He detector, the characterisation of the neutron spectra in workplaces of the Argentine Reactor No. 1 (R.A. -1) has been carried out. The spectrometric system consists of 12 spheres made of the high density polyethylene d mean δ =0.95 g cm 3 , with diameters between 3'' and 12'' and a proportional counter of 3 He, 4 atm of nominal pressure, Centronic trade mark, located in the centre of the spheres. The neutron response matrix was calculated using the M.C.N.P. -I.V.B. code and E.N.D.F./B-VI library in the energy range between thermal neutron and 100 MeV. The neutron spectrum was unfolded using the M.A.X.E.D. unfolding code. The validation of the spectrometric system was performed at Cea-Cadarache (France) with of 252 Cf, Am Be, and 252 Cf + D 2 O sources. Therefore, in this work, the spectral fluence of the field in the selected points of the facility (R.A.-1) has been presented and the ambient dose equivalent, H *(10), and the personal dose equivalent, Hp(10), have been derived from the neutron fluence, applying ICRP-74 recommended fluence to dose conversion factors. The quantities evaluated have uncertainties less than 15%, which is considered good enough for radiation protection requirements. (authors)

Reactor Physics Training

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Baeten, P.

2007-01-01

University courses in nuclear reactor physics at the universities consist of a theoretical description of the physics and technology of nuclear reactors. In order to demonstrate the basic concepts in reactor physics, training exercises in nuclear reactor installations are also desirable. Since the number of reactor facilities is however strongly decreasing in Europe, it becomes difficult to offer to students a means for demonstrating the basic concepts in reactor physics by performing training exercises in nuclear installations. Universities do not generally possess the capabilities for performing training exercises. Therefore, SCK-CEN offers universities the possibility to perform (on a commercial basis) training exercises at its infrastructure consisting of two research reactors (BR1 and VENUS). Besides the organisation of training exercises in the framework of university courses, SCK-CEN also organizes theoretical courses in reactor physics for the education and training of nuclear reactor operators. It is indeed a very important subject to guarantee the safe operation of present and future nuclear reactors. In this framework, an understanding of the fundamental principles of nuclear reactor physics is also necessary for reactor operators. Therefore, the organisation of a basic Nuclear reactor physics course at the level of reactor operators in the initial and continuous training of reactor operators has proven to be indispensable. In most countries, such training also results from the direct request from the safety authorities to assure the high level of competence of the staff in nuclear reactors. The objectives this activity are: (1) to provide training and education activities in reactor physics for university students and (2) to organise courses in nuclear reactor physics for reactor operators

FBR type reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kimura, Kimitaka; Fukuie, Ken; Iijima, Tooru; Shimpo, Masakazu.

1994-01-01

In an FBR type reactor for exchanging fuels by pulling up reactor core upper mechanisms, a connection mechanism is disposed for connecting the top of the reactor core and the lower end of the reactor core upper mechanisms. In addition, a cylindrical body is disposed surrounding the reactor core upper mechanisms, and a support member is disposed to the cylindrical body for supporting an intermediate portion of the reactor core upper mechanisms. Then, the lower end of the reactor core upper mechanisms is connected to the top of the reactor core. Same displacements are caused to both of them upon occurrence of earthquakes and, as a result, it is possible to eliminate mutual horizontal displacement between a control rod guide hole of the reactor core upper mechanisms and a control rod insertion hole of the reactor core. In addition, since the intermediate portion of the reactor core upper mechanisms is supported by the support member disposed to the cylindrical body surrounding the reactor core upper mechanisms, deformation caused to the lower end of the reactor core upper mechanisms is reduced, so that the mutual horizontal displacement with respect to the control rod insertion hole of the reactor core can be reduced. As a result, performance of control rod insertion upon occurrence of the earthquakes is improved, so that reactor shutdown is conducted more reliably to improve reactor safety. (N.H.)

RB Research nuclear reactor RB reactor, Annual report for 2000

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Milosevic, M.

2000-12-01

Report on RB reactor operation during 2000 contains 3 parts. Part one contains a brief description of reactor operation and reactor components, relevant dosimetry data and radiation protection issues, personnel and financial data. Part two is devoted to maintenance of the reactor components, namely, fuel, heavy water, reactor vessel, heavy water circulation system, absorption rods and heavy water level-meters, maintenance of electronic, mechanical, electrical and auxiliary equipment. Part three contains data concerned with reactor operation and utilization with a comprehensive list of publications resulting from experiments done at the RB reactor. It contains data about reactor operation during previous 14 years, i.e. from 1986 - 2000

Reactor container

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kato, Masami; Nishio, Masahide.

1987-01-01

Purpose: To prevent the rupture of the dry well even when the melted reactor core drops into a reactor pedestal cavity. Constitution: In a reactor container in which a dry well disposed above the reactor pedestal cavity for containing the reactor pressure vessel and a torus type suppression chamber for containing pressure suppression water are connected with each other, the pedestal cavity and the suppression chamber are disposed such that the flow level of the pedestal cavity is lower than the level of the pressure suppression water. Further, a pressure suppression water introduction pipeway for introducing the pressure suppression water into the reactor pedestal cavity is disposed by way of an ON-OFF valve. In case if the melted reactor core should fall into the pedestal cavity, the ON-OFF valve for the pressure suppression water introduction pipeway is opened to introduce the pressure suppression water in the suppression chamber into the pedestal cavity to cool the melted reactor core. (Ikeda, J.)

Reactor Physics Programme

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

De Raedt, C

2000-07-01

The Reactor Physics and Department of SCK-CEN offers expertise in various areas of reactor physics, in particular in neutronics calculations, reactor dosimetry, reactor operation, reactor safety and control and non-destructive analysis on reactor fuel. This expertise is applied within the Reactor Physics and MYRRHA Research Department's own research projects in the VENUS critical facility, in the BR1 reactor and in the MYRRHA project (this project aims at designing a prototype Accelerator Driven System). Available expertise is also used in programmes external to the Department such as the reactor pressure steel vessel programme, the BR2 reactor dosimetry, and the preparation and interpretation of irradiation experiments. Progress and achievements in 1999 in the following areas are reported on: (1) investigations on the use of military plutonium in commercial power reactors; (2) neutron and gamma calculations performed for BR-2 and for other reactors; (3) the updating of neutron and gamma cross-section libraries; (4) the implementation of reactor codes; (6) the management of the UNIX workstations; and (6) fuel cycle studies.

Reactor Physics Programme

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

De Raedt, C.

2000-01-01

The Reactor Physics and Department of SCK-CEN offers expertise in various areas of reactor physics, in particular in neutronics calculations, reactor dosimetry, reactor operation, reactor safety and control and non-destructive analysis on reactor fuel. This expertise is applied within the Reactor Physics and MYRRHA Research Department's own research projects in the VENUS critical facility, in the BR1 reactor and in the MYRRHA project (this project aims at designing a prototype Accelerator Driven System). Available expertise is also used in programmes external to the Department such as the reactor pressure steel vessel programme, the BR2 reactor dosimetry, and the preparation and interpretation of irradiation experiments. Progress and achievements in 1999 in the following areas are reported on: (1) investigations on the use of military plutonium in commercial power reactors; (2) neutron and gamma calculations performed for BR-2 and for other reactors; (3) the updating of neutron and gamma cross-section libraries; (4) the implementation of reactor codes; (6) the management of the UNIX workstations; and (6) fuel cycle studies

Development and optimization of nuclear heating and gamma flux measurement techniques in experimental reactors: identification, mastery, treatment and reduction of uncertainties

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Amharrak, H.

2012-01-01

This thesis work focuses on the needs for qualification of neutron and photonics calculation schemes in the future Jules Horowitz technological Reactor (RJH) and Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR). It is necessary to establish reliable measurement results with well defined associated uncertainties, for qualification and/or validation. The objective of this thesis is to develop and to improve the nuclear heating measurement methods (especially gamma photons) in MINERVE and EOLE experimental reactors at CEA-Cadarache, using thermo-luminescent detectors (TLD), optically stimulated luminescence detectors (OSLD) and an ionization chamber. It is to identify, prioritize, treat and reduce the various sources of uncertainty and systematic bias associated with the measurement. In a previous study, where nuclear heating was estimated from an integrated radiation dose by TLD in MINERVE and EOLE reactors, it has been shown that dose calculation underestimated the experiment by 25% with a total uncertainty of 15% (2σ). This systematic bias observed has been largely attributed to a lack of nuclear data used to perform the calculations. Therefore, in this work a new series of experiments was set up in the MINERVE reactor to reduce the measurement uncertainties, and better understand the origins of the discrepancies with the modeling. These experiments were carried out in an aluminum or hafnium surrounding (in specifically designed boxes) using a new procedure and analysis methodology. In these experiments, the TLD are calibrated individually, the repeatability of the measurement is experimentally evaluated and the laws of TLD heat are optimized. These improvements are subsequently used for the measurement of nuclear heating in AMMON program (EOLE reactor), dedicated to the qualification of neutron and photonics calculation schemes in the RJH reactor. The measurements of the gamma emitted, with a delay (delayed gamma) after shutdown of the MINERVE reactor, were also carried out

Nuclear reactors. Introduction

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Boiron, P.

1997-01-01

This paper is an introduction to the 'nuclear reactors' volume of the Engineers Techniques collection. It gives a general presentation of the different articles of the volume which deal with: the physical basis (neutron physics and ionizing radiations-matter interactions, neutron moderation and diffusion), the basic concepts and functioning of nuclear reactors (possible fuel-moderator-coolant-structure combinations, research and materials testing reactors, reactors theory and neutron characteristics, neutron calculations for reactor cores, thermo-hydraulics, fluid-structure interactions and thermomechanical behaviour of fuels in PWRs and fast breeder reactors, thermal and mechanical effects on reactors structure), the industrial reactors (light water, pressurized water, boiling water, graphite moderated, fast breeder, high temperature and heavy water reactors), and the technology of PWRs (conceiving and building rules, nuclear parks and safety, reactor components and site selection). (J.S.)

Nuclear reactor, reactor core thereof, and device for constituting the reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Takiyama, Masashi.

1994-01-01

A reactor core is constituted by charging coolants (light water) in a reactor pressure vessel and distributing fuel assemblies, reflecting material sealing pipes, moderator (heavy water and helium gas) sealing pipes, and gas sealing pipes therein. A fuel guide tube is surrounded by a cap and the gap therebetween is made hollow and filled with coolant steams. The cap is supported by a baffle plate. The moderator sealing pipe is disposed in a flow channel of coolants in adjacent with the cap. The position of the moderator sealing tube in the reactor core is controlled by water stream from a hydraulic pump with a guide tube extending below the baffle plate being as a guide. Then, the position of the moderator sealing tube is varied to conduct power control, burnup degree compensation, and reactor shut down. With such procedures, moderator cooling facility is no more necessary to simplify the structure. Further, heat generated from the moderator is transferred to the coolants thereby improving heat efficiency of the reactor. (I.N.)

Slurry reactors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kuerten, H; Zehner, P [BASF A.G., Ludwigshafen am Rhein (Germany, F.R.)

1979-08-01

Slurry reactors are designed on the basis of empirical data and model investigations. It is as yet not possible to calculate the flow behavior of such reactors. The swarm of gas bubbles and cluster formations of solid particles and their interaction in industrial reactors are not known. These effects control to a large extent the gas hold-up, the gas-liquid interface and, similarly as in bubble columns, the back-mixing of liquids and solids. These hydrodynamic problems are illustrated in slurry reactors which constructionally may be bubble columns, stirred tanks or jet loop reactors. The expected effects are predicted by means of tests with model systems modified to represent the conditions in industrial hydrogenation reactors. In his book 'Mass Transfer in Heterogeneous Catalysis' (1970) Satterfield complained of the lack of knowledge about the design of slurry reactors and hence of the impossible task of the engineer who has to design a plant according to accepted rules. There have been no fundamental changes since then. This paper presents the problems facing the engineer in designing slurry reactors, and shows new development trends.

Optimal reactor strategy for commercializing fast breeder reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yamaji, Kenji; Nagano, Koji

1988-01-01

In this paper, a fuel cycle optimization model developed for analyzing the condition of selecting fast breeder reactors in the optimal reactor strategy is described. By dividing the period of planning, 1966-2055, into nine ten-year periods, the model was formulated as a compact linear programming model. With the model, the best mix of reactor types as well as the optimal timing of reprocessing spent fuel from LWRs to minimize the total cost were found. The results of the analysis are summarized as follows. Fast breeder reactors could be introduced in the optimal strategy when they can economically compete with LWRs with 30 year storage of spent fuel. In order that fast breeder reactors monopolize the new reactor market after the achievement of their technical availability, their capital cost should be less than 0.9 times as much as that of LWRs. When a certain amount of reprocessing commitment is assumed, the condition of employing fast breeder reactors in the optimal strategy is mitigated. In the optimal strategy, reprocessing is done just to meet plutonium demand, and the storage of spent fuel is selected to adjust the mismatch of plutonium production and utilization. The price hike of uranium ore facilitates the commercial adoption of fast breeder reactors. (Kako, I.)

Computerized reactor monitor and control for nuclear reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Buerger, L.

1982-01-01

The analysis of a computerized process control system developed by Transelektro-KFKI-Videoton (Hangary) for a twenty-year-old research reactor in Budapest and or a new one in Tajura (Libya) is given. The paper describes the computer hardware (R-10) and the implemented software (PROCESS-24K) as well as their applications at nuclear reactors. The computer program provides for man-machine communication, data acquisition and processing, trend and alarm analysis, the control of the reactor power, reactor physical calculations and additional operational functions. The reliability and the possible further development of the computerized systems which are suitable for application at reactors of different design are also discussed. (Sz.J.)

Safeguarding research reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Powers, J.A.

1983-03-01

The report is organized in four sections, including the introduction. The second section contains a discussion of the characteristics and attributes of research reactors important to safeguards. In this section, research reactors are described according to their power level, if greater than 25 thermal megawatts, or according to each fuel type. This descriptive discussion includes both reactor and reactor fuel information of a generic nature, according to the following categories. 1. Research reactors with more than 25 megawatts thermal power, 2. Plate fuelled reactors, 3. Assembly fuelled reactors. 4. Research reactors fuelled with individual rods. 5. Disk fuelled reactors, and 6. Research reactors fuelled with aqueous homogeneous fuel. The third section consists of a brief discussion of general IAEA safeguards as they apply to research reactors. This section is based on IAEA safeguards implementation documents and technical reports that are used to establish Agency-State agreements and facility attachments. The fourth and last section describes inspection activities at research reactors necessary to meet Agency objectives. The scope of the activities extends to both pre and post inspection as well as the on-site inspection and includes the examination of records and reports relative to reactor operation and to receipts, shipments and certain internal transfers, periodic verification of fresh fuel, spent fuel and core fuel, activities related to containment and surveillance, and other selected activities, depending on the reactor

Control of reactor coolant flow path during reactor decay heat removal

Science.gov (United States)

Hunsbedt, Anstein N.

1988-01-01

An improved reactor vessel auxiliary cooling system for a sodium cooled nuclear reactor is disclosed. The sodium cooled nuclear reactor is of the type having a reactor vessel liner separating the reactor hot pool on the upstream side of an intermediate heat exchanger and the reactor cold pool on the downstream side of the intermediate heat exchanger. The improvement includes a flow path across the reactor vessel liner flow gap which dissipates core heat across the reactor vessel and containment vessel responsive to a casualty including the loss of normal heat removal paths and associated shutdown of the main coolant liquid sodium pumps. In normal operation, the reactor vessel cold pool is inlet to the suction side of coolant liquid sodium pumps, these pumps being of the electromagnetic variety. The pumps discharge through the core into the reactor hot pool and then through an intermediate heat exchanger where the heat generated in the reactor core is discharged. Upon outlet from the heat exchanger, the sodium is returned to the reactor cold pool. The improvement includes placing a jet pump across the reactor vessel liner flow gap, pumping a small flow of liquid sodium from the lower pressure cold pool into the hot pool. The jet pump has a small high pressure driving stream diverted from the high pressure side of the reactor pumps. During normal operation, the jet pumps supplement the normal reactor pressure differential from the lower pressure cold pool to the hot pool. Upon the occurrence of a casualty involving loss of coolant pump pressure, and immediate cooling circuit is established by the back flow of sodium through the jet pumps from the reactor vessel hot pool to the reactor vessel cold pool. The cooling circuit includes flow into the reactor vessel liner flow gap immediate the reactor vessel wall and containment vessel where optimum and immediate discharge of residual reactor heat occurs.

Reactor operations Brookhaven medical research reactor, Brookhaven high flux beam reactor informal monthly report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hauptman, H.M.; Petro, J.N.; Jacobi, O.

1995-04-01

This document is the April 1995 summary report on reactor operations at the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor and the Brookhaven High Flux Beam Reactor. Ongoing experiments/irradiations in each are listed, and other significant operations functions are also noted. The HFBR surveillance testing schedule is also listed

Neutronics experimental validation of the Jules Horowitz reactor fuel by interpretation of the VALMONT experimental program-transposition of the uncertainties on the reactivity of JHR with JEF2.2 and JEFF3.1.1

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Leray, O.; Hudelot, J.P.; Doederlein, C.; Vaglio-Gaudard, C.; Antony, M.; Santamarina, A.; Bernard, D.

2012-01-01

The new European material testing Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR), currently under construction in Cadarache center (CEA France), will use LEU (20% enrichment in 235 U) fuels (U 3 Si 2 for the start up and UMoAl in the future) which are quite different from the industrial oxide fuel, for which an extensive neutronics experimental validation database has been established. The HORUS3D/N neutronics calculation scheme, used for the design and safety studies of the JHR, is being developed within the framework of a rigorous verification-numerical validation-experimental validation methodology. In this framework, the experimental VALMONT (Validation of Aluminium Molybdenum uranium fuel for Neutronics) program has been performed in the MINERVE facility of CEA Cadarache (France), in order to qualify the capability of HORUS3D/N to accurately calculate the reactivity of the JHR reactor. The MINERVE facility using the oscillation technique provides accurate measurements of reactivity effect of samples. The VALMONT program includes oscillations of samples of UAl ∞ /Al and UMo/Al with enrichments ranging from 0.2% to 20% and Uranium densities from 2.2 to 8 g/cm 3 . The geometry of the samples and the pitch of the experimental lattice ensure maximum representativeness with the neutron spectrum expected for JHR. By comparing the effect of the sample with the one of a known fuel specimen, the reactivity effect can be measured in absolute terms and be compared to computational results. Special attention was paid to the rigorous determination and reduction of the experimental uncertainties. The calculational analysis of the VALMONT results was performed with the French deterministic code APOLLO2. A comparison of the impact of the different calculation methods, data libraries and energy meshes that were tested is presented. The interpretation of the VALMONT experimental program allowed the experimental validation of JHR fuel UMoAl8 (with an enrichment of 19.75% 235 U) by the Minerve

Reactor core for FBR type reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fujita, Tomoko; Watanabe, Hisao; Kasai, Shigeo; Yokoyama, Tsugio; Matsumoto, Hiroshi.

1996-01-01

In a gas-sealed assembly for a FBR type reactor, two or more kinds of assemblies having different eigen frequency and a structure for suppressing oscillation of liquid surface are disposed in a reactor core. Coolant introduction channels for introducing coolants from inside and outside are disposed in the inside of structural members of an upper shielding member to form a shielding member-cooling structure in the reactor core. A structure for promoting heat conduction between a sealed gas in the assembly and coolants at the inner side or the outside of the assembly is disposed in the reactor core. A material which generates heat by neutron irradiation is disposed in the assembly to heat the sealed gases positively by radiation heat from the heat generation member also upon occurrence of power elevation-type event to cause temperature expansion. Namely, the coolants flown out from or into the gas sealed-assemblies cause differential fluctuation on the liquid surface, and the change of the capacity of a gas region is also different on every gas-sealed assemblies thereby enabling to suppress fluctuation of the reactor power. Pressure loss is increased by a baffle plate or the like to lower the liquid surface of the sodium coolants or decrease the elevating speed thereof thereby suppressing fluctuation of the reactor power. (N.H.)

Space-time reactor kinetics for heterogeneous reactor structure

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Raisic, N [Boris Kidric Institute of nuclear sciences Vinca, Belgrade (Yugoslavia)

1969-11-15

An attempt is made to formulate time dependent diffusion equation based on Feinberg-Galanin theory in the from analogue to the classical reactor kinetic equation. Parameters of these equations could be calculated using the existing codes for static reactor calculation based on the heterogeneous reactor theory. The obtained kinetic equation could be analogues in form to the nodal kinetic equation. Space-time distribution of neutron flux in the reactor can be obtained by solving these equations using standard methods.

Nuclear Reactor RA Safety Report, Vol. 4, Reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1986-11-01

RA research reactor is thermal heavy water moderated and cooled reactor. Metal uranium 2% enriched fuel elements were used at the beginning of its operation. Since 1976, 80% enriched uranium oxide dispersed in aluminium fuel elements were gradually introduced into the core and are the only ones presently used. Reactor core is cylindrical, having diameter 40 cm and 123 cm high. Reaktor core is made up of 82 fuel elements in aluminium channels, lattice is square, lattice pitch 13 cm. Reactor vessel is cylindrical made of 8 mm thick aluminium, inside diameter 140 cm and 5.5 m high surrounded with neutron reflector and biological shield. There is no containment, the reactor building is playing the shielding role. Three pumps enable circulation of heavy water in the primary cooling circuit. Degradation of heavy water is prevented by helium cover gas. Control rods with cadmium regulate the reactor operation. There are eleven absorption rods, seven are used for long term reactivity compensation, two for automatic power regulation and two for safety shutdown. Total anti reactivity of the rods amounts to 24%. RA reactor is equipped with a number of experimental channels, 45 vertical (9 in the core), 34 in the graphite reflector and two in the water biological shield; and six horizontal channels regularly distributed in the core. This volume include detailed description of systems and components of the RA reactor, reactor core parameters, thermal hydraulics of the core, fuel elements, fuel elements handling equipment, fuel management, and experimental devices [sr

Thermal denitrification of evaporators concentrates in reactor with fluidized bed

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brugnot, C.

1993-11-01

As part of the treatments of liquid wastes coming from the Marcoule reprocessing plant, the study of a thermal denitrification process for evaporator concentrates has been chosen by the CEA/CEN Cadarache: the fluidized-bed calcination. This work presents the study of a calcination pilot-plant for wastes with a very high sodium nitrate content. After a reactional analysis carried out in a thermobalance on samples which are representative of the fluidized-bed compounds, the perfecting of many of the plant parameters - such as the solution injection system - was carried out on a scale-model at first. Then, it was verified on the pilot-plant, and some experiments have been carried out. A mathematical model for the particle growth inside the fluidized-bed is proposed. (author). 179 refs., 65 figs., 23 tabs

Behavior of ferritic steels irradiated by fast neutrons

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Erler, Jean; Maillard, Arlette; Brun, Gilbert; Lehmann, Jeanne; Dupouy, J.-M.

1979-01-01

Ferritic steels were irradiated in Rapsodie and Phenix at varying doses. The swelling and irradiation creep characteristics are reported below as are the mechanical characteristics of these materials [fr

Feasible reactor power cutback logic development for an integral reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Han, Soon-Kyoo; Lee, Chung-Chan; Choi, Suhn; Kang, Han-Ok

2013-01-01

Major features of integral reactors that have been developed around the world recently are simplified operating systems and passive safety systems. Even though highly simplified control system and very reliable components are utilized in the integral reactor, the possibility of major component malfunction cannot be ruled out. So, feasible reactor power cutback logic is required to cope with the malfunction of components without inducing reactor trip. Simplified reactor power cutback logic has been developed on the basis of the real component data and operational parameters of plant in this study. Due to the relatively high rod worth of the integral reactor the control rod assembly drop method which had been adapted for large nuclear power plants was not desirable for reactor power cutback of the integral reactor. Instead another method, the control rod assembly control logic of reactor regulating system controls the control rod assembly movements, was chosen as an alternative. Sensitivity analyses and feasibility evaluations were performed for the selected method by varying the control rod assembly driving speed. In the results, sensitivity study showed that the performance goal of reactor power cutback system could be achieved with the limited range of control rod assembly driving speed. (orig.)

RA Reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1978-02-01

In addition to basic characteristics of the RA reactor, organizational scheme and financial incentives, this document covers describes the state of the reactor components after 18 years of operation, problems concerned with obtaining the licence for operation with 80% fuel, problems of spent fuel storage in the storage pool of the reactor building and the need for renewal of reactor equipment, first of all instrumentation [sr

H Reactor

Data.gov (United States)

Federal Laboratory Consortium — The H Reactor was the first reactor to be built at Hanford after World War II.It became operational in October of 1949, and represented the fourth nuclear reactor on...

Reactor container

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Naruse, Yoshihiro.

1990-01-01

The thickness of steel shell plates in a reactor container embedded in sand cussions is monitored to recognize the corrosion of the steel shell plates. That is, the reactor pressure vessel is contained in a reactor container shell and the sand cussions are disposed on the lower outside of the reactor container shell to elastically support the shell. A pit is disposed at a position opposing to the sand cussions for measuring the thickness of the reactor container shell plates. The pit is usually closed by a closing member. In the reactor container thus constituted, the closing member can be removed upon periodical inspection to measure the thickness of the shell plates. Accordingly, the corrosion of the steel shell plates can be recognized by the change of the plate thickness. (I.S.)

Hybrid reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Moir, R.W.

1980-01-01

The rationale for hybrid fusion-fission reactors is the production of fissile fuel for fission reactors. A new class of reactor, the fission-suppressed hybrid promises unusually good safety features as well as the ability to support 25 light-water reactors of the same nuclear power rating, or even more high-conversion-ratio reactors such as the heavy-water type. One 4000-MW nuclear hybrid can produce 7200 kg of 233 U per year. To obtain good economics, injector efficiency times plasma gain (eta/sub i/Q) should be greater than 2, the wall load should be greater than 1 MW.m -2 , and the hybrid should cost less than 6 times the cost of a light-water reactor. Introduction rates for the fission-suppressed hybrid are usually rapid

Nuclear research reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1985-01-01

It's presented data about nuclear research reactors in the world, retrieved from the Sien (Nuclear and Energetic Information System) data bank. The information are organized in table forms as follows: research reactors by countries; research reactors by type; research reactors by fuel and research reactors by purpose. (E.G.) [pt

Energy. A sector in danger

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dupin, L.

2011-01-01

Just like the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl accidents slowed down the pace of development of nuclear energy, several countries put their project of construction of new nuclear reactors into question again after the accident of Fukushima, or at least decided a security assessment of their installations. The article comments the reactions of different political actors in France belonging either to the government or to the opposition. The level of this last accident may surely impact the development of nuclear reactors throughout the world, but may not stop it because of energy needs. Safety standards might be reassessed and some countries might choose other energy sources like gas for example. As Areva claims a high safety level for the EPR, a discussion emerges about the compliance of some French installations (Fessenheim, Cadarache) with anti-seismic construction standards

Strategic planning for research reactors. Guidance for reactor managers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2001-04-01

The purpose of this publication is to provide guidance on how to develop a strategic plan for a research reactor. The IAEA is convinced of the need for research reactors to have strategic plans and is issuing a series of publications to help owners and operators in this regard. One of these covers the applications of research reactors. That report brings together all of the current uses of research reactors and enables a reactor owner or operator to evaluate which applications might be possible with a particular facility. An analysis of research reactor capabilities is an early phase in the strategic planning process. The current document provides the rationale for a strategic plan, outlines the methodology of developing such a plan and then gives a model that may be followed. While there are many purposes for research reactor strategic plans, this report emphasizes the use of strategic planning in order to increase utilization. A number of examples are given in order to clearly illustrate this function

Licensed reactor nuclear safety criteria applicable to DOE reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1991-04-01

The Department of Energy (DOE) Order DOE 5480.6, Safety of Department of Energy-Owned Nuclear Reactors, establishes reactor safety requirements to assure that reactors are sited, designed, constructed, modified, operated, maintained, and decommissioned in a manner that adequately protects health and safety and is in accordance with uniform standards, guides, and codes which are consistent with those applied to comparable licensed reactors. This document identifies nuclear safety criteria applied to NRC [Nuclear Regulatory Commission] licensed reactors. The titles of the chapters and sections of USNRC Regulatory Guide 1.70, Standard Format and Content of Safety Analysis Reports for Nuclear Power Plants, Rev. 3, are used as the format for compiling the NRC criteria applied to the various areas of nuclear safety addressed in a safety analysis report for a nuclear reactor. In each section the criteria are compiled in four groups: (1) Code of Federal Regulations, (2) US NRC Regulatory Guides, SRP Branch Technical Positions and Appendices, (3) Codes and Standards, and (4) Supplemental Information. The degree of application of these criteria to a DOE-owned reactor, consistent with their application to comparable licensed reactors, must be determined by the DOE and DOE contractor

Research reactors - an overview

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

West, C.D.

1997-01-01

A broad overview of different types of research and type reactors is provided in this paper. Reactor designs and operating conditions are briefly described for four reactors. The reactor types described include swimming pool reactors, the High Flux Isotope Reactor, the Mark I TRIGA reactor, and the Advanced Neutron Source reactor. Emphasis in the descriptions is placed on safety-related features of the reactors. 7 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs

Multiregion reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Moura Neto, C. de; Nair, R.P.K.

1979-08-01

The study of reflected reactors can be done employing the multigroup diffusion method. The neutron conservation equations, inside the intervals, can be written by fluxes and group constants. A reflected reactor (one and two groups) for a slab geometry is studied, aplying the continuity of flux and current in the interface. At the end, the appropriated solutions for a infinite cylindrical reactor and for a spherical reactor are presented. (Author) [pt

Reactor building

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Maruyama, Toru; Murata, Ritsuko.

1996-01-01

In the present invention, a spent fuel storage pool of a BWR type reactor is formed at an upper portion and enlarged in the size to effectively utilize the space of the building. Namely, a reactor chamber enhouses reactor facilities including a reactor pressure vessel and a reactor container, and further, a spent fuel storage pool is formed thereabove. A second spent fuel storage pool is formed above the auxiliary reactor chamber at the periphery of the reactor chamber. The spent fuel storage pool and the second spent fuel storage pool are disposed in adjacent with each other. A wall between both of them is formed vertically movable. With such a constitution, the storage amount for spent fuels is increased thereby enabling to store the entire spent fuels generated during operation period of the plant. Further, since requirement of the storage for the spent fuels is increased stepwisely during periodical exchange operation, it can be used for other usage during the period when the enlarged portion is not used. (I.S.)

Nuclear reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Garabedian, G.

1988-01-01

A liquid reactor is described comprising: (a) a reactor vessel having a core; (b) one or more satellite tanks; (c) pump means in the satellite tank; (d) heat exchanger means in the satellite tank; (e) an upper liquid metal conduit extending between the reactor vessel and the satellite tank; (f) a lower liquid metal duct extending between the reactor vessel and satellite tanks the upper liquid metal conduit and the lower liquid metal duct being arranged to permit free circulation of liquid metal between the reactor vessel core and the satellite tank by convective flow of liquid metal; (g) a separate sealed common containment vessel around the reactor vessel, conduits and satellite tanks; (h) the satellite tank having space for a volume of liquid metal that is sufficient to dampen temperature transients resulting from abnormal operating conditions

Reactor physics challenges in GEN-IV reactor design

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Driscoll, Michael K.; Hejzlar, Pavel [Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA (United States)

2005-02-15

An overview of the reactor physics aspects of GENeration Four (GEN-IV) advanced reactors is presented, emphasizing how their special requirements for enhanced sustainability, safety and economics motivates consideration of features not thoroughly analyzed in the past. The resulting concept-specific requirements for better data and methods are surveyed, and some approaches and initiatives are suggested to meet the challenges faced by the international reactor physics community. No unresolvable impediments to successful development of any of the six major types of proposed reactors are identified, given appropriate and timely devotion of resources.

Reactor physics challenges in GEN-IV reactor design

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Driscoll, Michael K.; Hejzlar, Pavel

2005-01-01

An overview of the reactor physics aspects of GENeration Four (GEN-IV) advanced reactors is presented, emphasizing how their special requirements for enhanced sustainability, safety and economics motivates consideration of features not thoroughly analyzed in the past. The resulting concept-specific requirements for better data and methods are surveyed, and some approaches and initiatives are suggested to meet the challenges faced by the international reactor physics community. No unresolvable impediments to successful development of any of the six major types of proposed reactors are identified, given appropriate and timely devotion of resources

Reactor Vessel Surveillance Program for Advanced Reactor

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jeong, Kyeong-Hoon; Kim, Tae-Wan; Lee, Gyu-Mahn; Kim, Jong-Wook; Park, Keun-Bae; Kim, Keung-Koo

2008-10-15

This report provides the design requirements of an integral type reactor vessel surveillance program for an integral type reactor in accordance with the requirements of Korean MEST (Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Development) Notice 2008-18. This report covers the requirements for the design of surveillance capsule assemblies including their test specimens, test block materials, handling tools, and monitors of the surveillance capsule neutron fluence and temperature. In addition, this report provides design requirements for the program for irradiation surveillance of reactor vessel materials, a layout of specimens and monitors in the surveillance capsule, procedures of installation and retrieval of the surveillance capsule assemblies, and the layout of the surveillance capsule assemblies in the reactor.

Operational safety at the radiometallurgy laboratory of Fontenay-aux-Roses

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hayet, Lucien; Petit, Pierre; Conche, Roger.

1976-01-01

Opened in 1967, the Radiometallurgy Laboratory is responsible for the examination of plutonium 239 based nuclear fuels of breeder reactors such as Rapsodie and Phenix. Part of the same laboratory is also responsible for the manufacture of californium 252 sources. These neutron sources can have a neutron fluency yield of 2,3 10 10 n/s/4π (i.e. 10mg of 252cf). This large laboratory includes a total area of 117m 2 of hot surfaces. It also includes 14 high activity cells with a capacity of 100000Ci at 1MeV. Located only 7km from the center of Paris, it must incorporate a special design and a particularly sure safety policy. Several statistics are given: irradiations, contaminations, incidents, quantity of fissile material, solid and liquid wastes etc... The principles of safety management are outlined and an analysis given of this basic nuclear facility [fr

The thermalhydraulics of a pin bundle with a helical wire wrap spacer. Modeling and qualification for a new sub-assembly concept

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Valentin, B.

2000-01-01

For the sub-assembly composed by an hexcan and a pin bundle with an helical wire wrap spacer, the calculation of the maximum clad temperatures, with the design code CADET, imposed to correctly evaluate the heat and mass transfers due to the helical wire. The models use theoretical and experimental arguments which are presented after a brief description of the hydraulic behavior of a such bundle. The design of a new sub-assembly concept, in the framework of high plutonium consumption in fast reactor projects needs to qualify tile models from RAPSODIE, PHENIX and SUPER-PHENIX programs. The qualification program, which could be used, is described. the approach is notably comparative for the hydraulic fields and the past experimental results will be useful. Another approach is briefly presented. It uses a multidimensional code (TRIO) which solves Navier-Stokes equations. The utility and the limits of a such method are described. (author)

The nuclear reactor strategy between fast breeder reactors and advanced pressurized water reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Seifritz, W.

1983-01-01

A nuclear reactor strategy between fast breeder reactors (FBRs) and advanced pressurized water reactors (APWRs) is being studied. The principal idea of this strategy is that the discharged plutonium from light water reactors (LWRs) provides the inventories of the FBRs and the high-converter APWRs, whereby the LWRs are installed according to the derivative of a logistical S curve. Special emphasis is given to the dynamics of reaching an asymptotic symbiosis between FBRs and APWRs. The main conclusion is that if a symbiotic APWR-FBR family with an asymptotic total power level in the terawatt range is to exist in about half a century from now, we need a large number of FBRs already in an early phase

Increased SRP reactor power

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

MacAfee, I.M.

1983-01-01

Major changes in the current reactor hydraulic systems could be made to achieve a total of about 1500 MW increase of reactor power for P, K, and C reactors. The changes would be to install new, larger heat exchangers in the reactor buildings to increase heat transfer area about 24%, to increase H 2 O flow about 30% per reactor, to increase D 2 O flow 15 to 18% per reactor, and increase reactor blanket gas pressure from 5 psig to 10 psig. The increased reactor power is possible because of reduced inlet temperature of reactor coolant, increased heat removal capacity, and increased operating pressure (larger margin from boiling). The 23% reactor power increase, after adjustment for increased off-line time for reactor reloading, will provide a 15% increase of production from P, K, and C reactors. Restart of L Reactor would increase SRP production 33%

Tokamak reactor studies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Baker, C.C.

1981-01-01

This paper presents an overview of tokamak reactor studies with particular attention to commercial reactor concepts developed within the last three years. Emphasis is placed on DT fueled reactors for electricity production. A brief history of tokamak reactor studies is presented. The STARFIRE, NUWMAK, and HFCTR studies are highlighted. Recent developments that have increased the commercial attractiveness of tokamak reactor designs are discussed. These developments include smaller plant sizes, higher first wall loadings, improved maintenance concepts, steady-state operation, non-divertor particle control, and improved reactor safety features

Computerized reactor monitor and control for research reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Buerger, L.; Vegh, E.

1981-09-01

The computerized process control system developed in the Central Research Institute for Physics, Budapest, Hungary, is described together with its special applications at research reactors. The nuclear power of the Hungarian research reactor is controlled by this computerized system, too, while in Lybia many interesting reactor-hpysical calculations are built into the computerized monitor system. (author)

Calculation of low-energy reactor neutrino spectra reactor for reactor neutrino experiments

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Riyana, Eka Sapta; Suda, Shoya; Ishibashi, Kenji; Matsuura, Hideaki [Dept. of Applied Quantum Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Kyushu University, Kyushu (Japan); Katakura, Junichi [Dept. of Nuclear System Safety Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka (Japan)

2016-06-15

Nuclear reactors produce a great number of antielectron neutrinos mainly from beta-decay chains of fission products. Such neutrinos have energies mostly in MeV range. We are interested in neutrinos in a region of keV, since they may take part in special weak interactions. We calculate reactor antineutrino spectra especially in the low energy region. In this work we present neutrino spectrum from a typical pressurized water reactor (PWR) reactor core. To calculate neutrino spectra, we need information about all generated nuclides that emit neutrinos. They are mainly fission fragments, reaction products and trans-uranium nuclides that undergo negative beta decay. Information in relation to trans-uranium nuclide compositions and its evolution in time (burn-up process) were provided by a reactor code MVP-BURN. We used typical PWR parameter input for MVP-BURN code and assumed the reactor to be operated continuously for 1 year (12 months) in a steady thermal power (3.4 GWth). The PWR has three fuel compositions of 2.0, 3.5 and 4.1 wt% {sup 235}U contents. For preliminary calculation we adopted a standard burn-up chain model provided by MVP-BURN. The chain model treated 21 heavy nuclides and 50 fission products. The MVB-BURN code utilized JENDL 3.3 as nuclear data library. We confirm that the antielectron neutrino flux in the low energy region increases with burn-up of nuclear fuel. The antielectron-neutrino spectrum in low energy region is influenced by beta emitter nuclides with low Q value in beta decay (e.g. {sup 241}Pu) which is influenced by burp-up level: Low energy antielectron-neutrino spectra or emission rates increase when beta emitters with low Q value in beta decay accumulate. Our result shows the flux of low energy reactor neutrinos increases with burn-up of nuclear fuel.

Nuclear Reactor Physics

Science.gov (United States)

Stacey, Weston M.

2001-02-01

An authoritative textbook and up-to-date professional's guide to basic and advanced principles and practices Nuclear reactors now account for a significant portion of the electrical power generated worldwide. At the same time, the past few decades have seen an ever-increasing number of industrial, medical, military, and research applications for nuclear reactors. Nuclear reactor physics is the core discipline of nuclear engineering, and as the first comprehensive textbook and reference on basic and advanced nuclear reactor physics to appear in a quarter century, this book fills a large gap in the professional literature. Nuclear Reactor Physics is a textbook for students new to the subject, for others who need a basic understanding of how nuclear reactors work, as well as for those who are, or wish to become, specialists in nuclear reactor physics and reactor physics computations. It is also a valuable resource for engineers responsible for the operation of nuclear reactors. Dr. Weston Stacey begins with clear presentations of the basic physical principles, nuclear data, and computational methodology needed to understand both the static and dynamic behaviors of nuclear reactors. This is followed by in-depth discussions of advanced concepts, including extensive treatment of neutron transport computational methods. As an aid to comprehension and quick mastery of computational skills, he provides numerous examples illustrating step-by-step procedures for performing the calculations described and chapter-end problems. Nuclear Reactor Physics is a useful textbook and working reference. It is an excellent self-teaching guide for research scientists, engineers, and technicians involved in industrial, research, and military applications of nuclear reactors, as well as government regulators who wish to increase their understanding of nuclear reactors.

Reactor. Mind picture of the future Jules-Horowitz Reactor (RHJ)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Eustache, S.

1999-01-01

This paper gives information about the future research reactor, named Reactor Jules-Horowitz (RJH). This irradiation reactor will be placed at industrialists disposal, for research concerning the competitiveness and the safety french electro-nuclear park. Principles and innovations are detailed. This reactor will respect the ALARA principle (as low as reasonably achievable). (A.L.B.)

The analysis for inventory of experimental reactor high temperature gas reactor type

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sri Kuntjoro; Pande Made Udiyani

2016-01-01

Relating to the plan of the National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN) to operate an experimental reactor of High Temperature Gas Reactors type (RGTT), it is necessary to reactor safety analysis, especially with regard to environmental issues. Analysis of the distribution of radionuclides from the reactor into the environment in normal or abnormal operating conditions starting with the estimated reactor inventory based on the type, power, and operation of the reactor. The purpose of research is to analyze inventory terrace for Experimental Power Reactor design (RDE) high temperature gas reactor type power 10 MWt, 20 MWt and 30 MWt. Analyses were performed using ORIGEN2 computer code with high temperatures cross-section library. Calculation begins with making modifications to some parameter of cross-section library based on the core average temperature of 570 °C and continued with calculations of reactor inventory due to RDE 10 MWt reactor power. The main parameters of the reactor 10 MWt RDE used in the calculation of the main parameters of the reactor similar to the HTR-10 reactor. After the reactor inventory 10 MWt RDE obtained, a comparison with the results of previous researchers. Based upon the suitability of the results, it make the design for the reactor RDE 20MWEt and 30 MWt to obtain the main parameters of the reactor in the form of the amount of fuel in the pebble bed reactor core, height and diameter of the terrace. Based on the main parameter or reactor obtained perform of calculation to get reactor inventory for RDE 20 MWT and 30 MWT with the same methods as the method of the RDE 10 MWt calculation. The results obtained are the largest inventory of reactor RDE 10 MWt, 20 MWt and 30 MWt sequentially are to Kr group are about 1,00E+15 Bq, 1,20E+16 Bq, 1,70E+16 Bq, for group I are 6,50E+16 Bq, 1,20E+17 Bq, 1,60E+17 Bq and for groups Cs are 2,20E+16 Bq, 2,40E+16 Bq, 2,60E+16 Bq. Reactor inventory will then be used to calculate the reactor source term and it

FBR type reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Suzuoki, Akira; Yamakawa, Masanori.

1985-01-01

Purpose: To enable safety and reliable after-heat removal from a reactor core. Constitution: During ordinary operation of a FBR type reactor, sodium coolants heated to a high temperature in a reactor core are exhausted therefrom, collide against the reactor core upper mechanisms to radially change the flowing direction and then enter between each of the guide vanes. In the case if a main recycling pump is failed and stopped during reactor operation and the recycling force is eliminated, the swirling stream of sodium that has been resulted by the flow guide mechanism during normal reactor operation is continuously maintained within a plenum at a high temperature. Accordingly, the sodium recycling force in the coolant flow channels within the reactor vessel can surely be maintained for a long period of time due to the centrifugal force of the sodium swirling stream. In this way, since the reactor core recycling flow rate can be secured even after the stopping of the main recycling pump, after-heat from the reactor core can safely and surely be removed. (Seki, T.)

FBR type reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hayase, Tamotsu.

1991-01-01

The present invention concerns an FBR type reactor in which transuranium elements are eliminated by nuclear conversion. There are loaded reactor core fuels being charged with mixed oxides of plutonium and uranium, and blanket fuels mainly comprising depleted uranium. Further, liquid sodium is used as coolants. As transuranium elements, isotope elements of neptunium, americium and curium contained in wastes taken out from light water reactors or the composition thereof are used. The reactor core comprises a region with a greater mixing ratio and a region with a less mixing ratio of the transuranium elements. The mixing ratio of the transuranium elements is made greater for the fuels in the reactor core region at the boundary with the blanket of great neutron leakage. With such a constitution, since the positive reactivity value at the reactor core central portion is small in the Na void reactivity distribution in the reactor core, the positive reactivity is small upon Na boiling in the reactor core central region upon occurrence of imaginable accident, to attain reactor safety. (I.N.)

The behaviour of ferritic steels under fast neutron irradiation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Erler, J.; Maillard, A.; Brun, G.; Lehmann, J.; Dupouy, J.M.

1979-07-01

Ferritic steels have been irradiated in Rapsodie and Phenix to doses up to 150 dpa F. The swelling and irradiation creep characteristics and the mechanical properties of these materials are reported. (author)

Nuclear reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tilliette, Z.

1975-01-01

A description is given of a nuclear reactor and especially a high-temperature reactor in which provision is made within a pressure vessel for a main cavity containing the reactor core and a series of vertical cylindrical pods arranged in spaced relation around the main cavity and each adapted to communicate with the cavity through two collector ducts or headers for the primary fluid which flows downwards through the reactor core. Each pod contains two superposed steam-generator and circulator sets disposed in substantially symmetrical relation on each side of the hot primary-fluid header which conveys the primary fluid from the reactor cavity to the pod, the circulators of both sets being mounted respectively at the bottom and top ends of the pod

Graphite reactor physics; Physique des piles a graphite

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bacher, P; Cogne, F [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires; Noc, B [Electricite de France (EDF), 75 - Paris (France)

1964-07-01

The study of graphite-natural uranium power reactor physics, undertaken ten years ago when the Marcoule piles were built, has continued to keep in step with the development of this type of pile. From 1960 onwards the critical facility Marius has been available for a systematic study of the properties of lattices as a function of their pitch, of fuel geometry and of the diameter of cooling channels. This study has covered a very wide field: lattice pitch varying from 19 to 38 cm. uranium rods and tubes of cross-sections from 6 to 35 cm{sup 2}, channels with diameters between 70 and 140 mm. The lattice calculation methods could thus be checked and where necessary adapted. The running of the Marcoule piles and the experiments carried out on them during the last few years have supplied valuable information on the overall evolution of the neutronic properties of the fuel as a function of irradiation. More detailed experiments have also been performed in Marius with plutonium-containing fuels (irradiated or synthetic fuels), and will be undertaken at the beginning of 1965 at high temperature in the critical facility Cesar, which is just being completed at Cadarache. Spent fuel analyses complement these results and help in their interpretation. The thermalization and spectra theories developed in France can thus be verified over the whole valid temperature range. The efficiency of control rods as a function of their dimensions, the materials of which they are made and the lattices surrounding them has been measured in Marius, and the results compared with calculation on the one hand and with the measurements carried out in EDF 1 on the other. Studies on the control proper of graphite piles were concerned essentially with the risks of spatial instability and the means of detecting and controlling them, and with flux distortions caused by the control rods. (authors) [French] Entreprise il y a dix ans a l'occasion de la construction des piles de Marcoule, l'etude de la

A next-generation reactor concept: The Integral Fast Reactor (IFR)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chang, Y.I.

1992-01-01

The Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) is an advanced liquid metal reactor concept being developed at Argonne National Laboratory as reactor technology for the 21st century. It seeks to specifically exploit the inherent properties of liquid metal cooling and metallic fuel in a way that leads to substantial improvements in the characteristics of the complete reactor system, in particular passive safety and waste management. The IFR concept consists of four technical features: (1) liquid sodium cooling, (2) pool-type reactor configuration, (3) metallic fuel, and (4) fuel cycle closure based on pyroprocessing.

A next-generation reactor concept: The Integral Fast Reactor (IFR)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chang, Y.I.

1992-07-01

The Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) is an advanced liquid metal reactor concept being developed at Argonne National Laboratory as reactor technology for the 21st century. It seeks to specifically exploit the inherent properties of liquid metal cooling and metallic fuel in a way that leads to substantial improvements in the characteristics of the complete reactor system, in particular passive safety and waste management. The IFR concept consists of four technical features: (1) liquid sodium cooling, (2) pool-type reactor configuration, (3) metallic fuel, and (4) fuel cycle closure based on pyroprocessing.

A next-generation reactor concept: The Integral Fast Reactor (IFR)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chang, Y.I.

1992-01-01

The Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) is an advanced liquid metal reactor concept being developed at Argonne National Laboratory as reactor technology for the 21st century. It seeks to specifically exploit the inherent properties of liquid metal cooling and metallic fuel in a way that leads to substantial improvements in the characteristics of the complete reactor system, in particular passive safety and waste management. The IFR concept consists of four technical features: (1) liquid sodium cooling, (2) pool-type reactor configuration, (3) metallic fuel, and (4) fuel cycle closure based on pyroprocessing

Thai research reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Aramrattana, M.

1987-01-01

The Office of Atomic Energy for Peace (OAEP) was established in 1962, as a reactor center, by the virtue of the Atomic Energy for Peace Act, under operational policy and authority of the Thai Atomic Energy for Peace Commission (TAEPC); and under administration of Ministry of Science, Technology and Energy. It owns and operates the only Thai Research Reactor (TRR-1/M1). The TRR-1/M1 is a mixed reactor system constituting of the old MTR type swimming pool, irradiation facilities and cooling system; and TRIGA Mark III core and control instrumentation. The general performance of TRR-1/M1 is summarized in Table I. The safe operation of TRR-1/M1 is regulated by Reactor Safety Committee (RSC), established under TAEPC, and Health Physics Group of OAEP. The RCS has responsibility and duty to review of and make recommendations on Reactor Standing Orders, Reactor Operation Procedures, Reactor Core Loading and Requests for Reactor Experiments. In addition,there also exist of Emergency Procedures which is administered by OAEP. The Reactor Operation Procedures constitute of reactor operating procedures, system operating procedures and reactor maintenance procedures. At the level of reactor routine operating procedures, there is a set of Specifications on Safety and Operation Limits and Code of Practice from which reactor shift supervisor and operators must follow in order to assure the safe operation of TRR-1/M1. Table II is the summary of such specifications. The OAEP is now upgrading certain major components of the TRR-1/M1 such as the cooling system, the ventilation system and monitoring equipment to ensure their adequately safe and reliable performance under normal and emergency conditions. Furthermore, the International Atomic Energy Agency has been providing assistance in areas of operation and maintenance and safety analysis. (author)

Proposed Advanced Reactor Adaptation of the Standard Review Plan NUREG-0800 Chapter 4 (Reactor) for Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactors and Modular High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Belles, Randy [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Poore, III, Willis P. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Brown, Nicholas R. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Flanagan, George F. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Holbrook, Mark [Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Moe, Wayne [Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Sofu, Tanju [Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

2017-03-01

This report proposes adaptation of the previous regulatory gap analysis in Chapter 4 (Reactor) of NUREG 0800, Standard Review Plan (SRP) for the Review of Safety Analysis Reports for Nuclear Power Plants: LWR [Light Water Reactor] Edition. The proposed adaptation would result in a Chapter 4 review plan applicable to certain advanced reactors. This report addresses two technologies: the sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) and the modular high temperature gas-cooled reactor (mHTGR). SRP Chapter 4, which addresses reactor components, was selected for adaptation because of the possible significant differences in advanced non-light water reactor (non-LWR) technologies compared with the current LWR-based description in Chapter 4. SFR and mHTGR technologies were chosen for this gap analysis because of their diverse designs and the availability of significant historical design detail.

Nuclear reactor instrumentation at research reactor renewal

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Baers, B.; Pellionisz, P.

1981-10-01

The paper overviews the state-of-the-art of research reactor renewals. As a case study the instrumentation reconstruction of the Finnish 250 kW TRIGA reactor is described, with particular emphasis on the nuclear control instrumentation and equipment which has been developed and manufactured by the Central Research Institute for Physics, Budapest. Beside the presentation of the nuclear instrument family developed primarily for research reactor reconstructions, the quality assurance policy conducted during the manufacturing process is also discussed. (author)

Reactor System Design

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chi, S. K.; Kim, G. K.; Yeo, J. W.

2006-08-01

SMART NPP(Nuclear Power Plant) has been developed for duel purpose, electricity generation and energy supply for seawater desalination. The objective of this project IS to design the reactor system of SMART pilot plant(SMART-P) which will be built and operated for the integrated technology verification of SMART. SMART-P is an integral reactor in which primary components of reactor coolant system are enclosed in single pressure vessel without connecting pipes. The major components installed within a vessel includes a core, twelve steam generator cassettes, a low-temperature self pressurizer, twelve control rod drives, and two main coolant pumps. SMART-P reactor system design was categorized to the reactor coe design, fluid system design, reactor mechanical design, major component design and MMIS design. Reactor safety -analysis and performance analysis were performed for developed SMART=P reactor system. Also, the preparation of safety analysis report, and the technical support for licensing acquisition are performed

BWR type reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Watanabe, Shoichi

1983-01-01

Purpose : To flatten the radial power distribution in the reactor core thereby improve the thermal performance of the reactor core by making the moderator-fuel ratio of fuel assemblies different depending on their position in the reactor core. Constitution : The volume of fuels disposed in the peripheral area of the reactor core is decreased by the increase of the volume of moderators in fuel assemblies disposed in the peripheral area of the reactor core to thereby make the moderator-fuel volume greater in the peripheral area than that in the central area. The moderator-fuel ratio adjustment is attained by making the number of water rods greater, decreasing the diameter of fuel pellets or decreasing the number of fuel pins in fuel assemblies disposed at the peripheral area of the reactor core as compared with fuel assemblies disposed at the central area of the reactor core. In this way, the infinite multiplication factors of fuels can be increased to thereby improve the reactor core performance. (Aizawa, K.)

Prevention device for rapid reactor core shutdown in BWR type reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Koshi, Yuji; Karatsu, Hiroyuki.

1986-01-01

Purpose: To surely prevent rapid shutdown of a nuclear reactor upon partial load interruption due to rapid increase in the system frequency. Constitution: If a partial load interruption greater than the sum of the turbine by-pass valve capacity and the load setting bias portion is applied in a BWR type power plant, the amount of main steams issued from the reactor is decreased, the thermal input/output balance of the reactor is lost, the reactor pressure is increased, the void is collapsed, the neutron fluxes are increased and the reactor power rises to generate rapid reactor shutdown. In view of the above, the turbine speed signal is compared with a speed setting value in a recycling flowrate control device and the recycling pump is controlled to decrease the recycling flowrate in order to compensate the increase in the neutron fluxes accompanying the reactor power up. In this way, transient changes in the reactor core pressure and the neutron fluxes are kept within a setting point for the rapid reactor shutdown operation thereby enabling to continue the plant operation. (Horiuchi, T.)

Reactor core of nuclear reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sasagawa, Masaru; Masuda, Hiroyuki; Mogi, Toshihiko; Kanazawa, Nobuhiro.

1994-01-01

In a reactor core, a fuel inventory at an outer peripheral region is made smaller than that at a central region. Fuel assemblies comprising a small number of large-diameter fuel rods are used at the central region and fuel assemblies comprising a great number of smalldiameter fuel rods are used at the outer peripheral region. Since a burning degradation rate of the fuels at the outer peripheral region can be increased, the burning degradation rate at the infinite multiplication factor of fuels at the outer region can substantially be made identical with that of the fuels in the inner region. As a result, the power distribution in the direction of the reactor core can be flattened throughout the entire period of the burning cycle. Further, it is also possible to make the degradation rate of fuels at the outer region substantially identical with that of fuels at the inner side. A power peak formed at the outer circumferential portion of the reactor core of advanced burning can be lowered to improve the fuel integrity, and also improve the reactor safety and operation efficiency. (N.H.)

Influence of the neutron flux shape on the value of absorbed neutron dose; Uticaj oblika neutronskog spektra na vrednost apsorbovane doze neutrona

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Miric, I; Miric, P [Institute of nuclear sciences Boris Kidric, Vinca, Beograd (Yugoslavia)

1974-07-01

This paper deals with the study od specific doses dependence on the type and approximation procedures of neutron spectra. Values of specific dose rates (dose per neutron cm{sub 2}) were analysed for neutron spectra from RB reactor in Vinca, Crac facility in Valduc (France) and HPRR reactor in Oak Ridge (USA). Data used in this analysis were obtained by methods used in Harwell (AERE), Oak Ridge (ORNL), Chalk River (AECL), CEN de Cadarache (CEA) and in the Boris Kidric Institute (IBK). Specific absorbed neutron doses were determined for each of the estimated spectra and presented in the form of kerma/(n.cm{sup -2}) and rad/((n.cm{sup -2}) units. The obtained results have shown the influence of the flux approximation procedure on the values of conversion factors for obtaining neutron doses from neutron flux. U okviru ovog rada radjeno je na ispitivanju zavisnosti specificnih doza od vrste i nacina aproksimacije neutronskog spektra. U radu su analizirane vrednosti specificnih doza (doza po n.cm{sup -2}) za neutronske spektre koji se dobijaju oko sledecih nuklearnih postrojenja: reaktora RB u Vinci, postrojenja CRAC u Valduc-u (Francuska), reaktora HPRR u Oak Ridge-u (SAD). Za analizu su korisceni podaci dobijeni metodama koje se koriste u nuklearnim centrima Harwell (AERE), Oak Ridge-u (ORNL), Chalk River-u (AECL), CEN de Cadarache (CEA) i Institutu Boris Kidric (IBK). Za svaki procenjeni spektar odredjene su specificne apsorbovane doze neutrona izrazene u kerma/(n.cm{sup -2}) i rad/(n.cm{sup -2}) jedinicama. Dobijeni rezultati su pokazali koliko nacin aproksimacije spektra utice na vrednost konverzionih faktora koji sluze za prelazak sa fluksa na dozu neutrona (author)

Impact of spectral transition zone in reference ENIGMA configuration

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Aliberti, G.; Palmiotti, G.; Taiwo, T. A.; Tommasi, J.

2005-01-01

The gas-cooled fast reactor (GFR) is one of six advanced nuclear energy systems being studied under the auspices of the Gen IV International Forum (GIF). In a bilateral International Nuclear Energy Research Initiative (I-NERI) project French and U.S. national laboratories, industry, and universities are collaborating on the development of the GFR. This effort is led by the ANL in the U.S. and the CEA in France. Some of the attractions of the GFR include: (1) Hard spectrum and core breeding ratio, BR ∼ 1. These features allow minimal waste production, improved transmutation capability, optimal and flexible use of natural resources, potentially better economy (because of use of higher power density relative to current thermal gas-cooled systems), and improved non-proliferation (no fertile blanket); (2) Temperature resistant fuel and structure elements that are favorable to tight fission product confinement and system operation at high temperature; (3) High temperature and transparent helium (He) gas coolant that allows a high thermodynamic conversion efficiency, other energy applications (e.g., hydrogen production), and ease of in-service inspection and repair; and (4) Possible direct energy conversion cycle leading to a simpler design, increased conversion efficiency, and lower investment costs. The French strategy for advanced systems includes the development of the GFR and sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) to levels that allow industries to be able to make an informed choice of the fast spectrum system that would provide a sustainable nuclear energy generation option for the future. Current planning calls for the construction of a small experimental research and technology development reactor (ETDR) around 2009 (first operation in 2015) at CEA-Cadarache, France. This would be followed by the construction of a GFR industrial prototype, around 2025. In support of the GFR development efforts, a new physics experimental program (called ENIGMA, Experimental Neutron

High-temperature and breeder reactors - economic nuclear reactors of the future

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Djalilzadeh, A.M.

1977-01-01

The thesis begins with a review of the theory of nuclear fission and sections on the basic technology of nuclear reactors and the development of the first generation of gas-cooled reactors applied to electricity generation. It then deals in some detail with currently available and suggested types of high temperature reactor and with some related subsidiary issues such as the coupling of different reactor systems and various schemes for combining nuclear reactors with chemical processes (hydrogenation, hydrogen production, etc.), going on to discuss breeder reactors and their application. Further sections deal with questions of cost, comparison of nuclear with coal- and oil-fired stations, system analysis of reactor systems and the effect of nuclear generation on electricity supply. (C.J.O.G.)

Heterogeneous reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Moura Neto, C. de; Nair, R.P.K.

1979-08-01

The microscopic study of a cell is meant for the determination of the infinite multiplication factor of the cell, which is given by the four factor formula: K(infinite) = n(epsilon)pf. The analysis of an homogeneous reactor is similar to that of an heterogeneous reactor, but each factor of the four factor formula can not be calculated by the formulas developed in the case of an homogeneous reactor. A great number of methods was developed for the calculation of heterogeneous reactors and some of them are discussed. (Author) [pt

Nuclear reactor neutron shielding

Science.gov (United States)

Speaker, Daniel P; Neeley, Gary W; Inman, James B

2017-09-12

A nuclear reactor includes a reactor pressure vessel and a nuclear reactor core comprising fissile material disposed in a lower portion of the reactor pressure vessel. The lower portion of the reactor pressure vessel is disposed in a reactor cavity. An annular neutron stop is located at an elevation above the uppermost elevation of the nuclear reactor core. The annular neutron stop comprises neutron absorbing material filling an annular gap between the reactor pressure vessel and the wall of the reactor cavity. The annular neutron stop may comprise an outer neutron stop ring attached to the wall of the reactor cavity, and an inner neutron stop ring attached to the reactor pressure vessel. An excore instrument guide tube penetrates through the annular neutron stop, and a neutron plug comprising neutron absorbing material is disposed in the tube at the penetration through the neutron stop.

Fast breeder reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Heinzel, V.

1975-01-01

The author gives a survey of 'fast breeder reactors'. In detail the process of breeding, the reasons for the development of fast breeders, the possible breeder reactors, the design criteria, fuels, cladding, coolant, and safety aspects are reported on. Design data of some experimental reactors already in operation are summarized in stabular form. 300 MWe Prototype-Reactors SNR-300 and PFR are explained in detail and data of KWU helium-cooled fast breeder reactors are given. (HR) [de

Reactor container

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shibata, Satoru; Kawashima, Hiroaki

1984-01-01

Purpose: To optimize the temperature distribution of the reactor container so as to moderate the thermal stress distribution on the reactor wall of LMFBR type reactor. Constitution: A good heat conductor (made of Al or Cu) is appended on the outer side of the reactor container wall from below the liquid level to the lower face of a deck plate. Further, heat insulators are disposed to the outside of the good heat conductor. Furthermore, a gas-cooling duct is circumferentially disposed at the contact portion between the good heat conductor and the deck plate around the reactor container. This enables to flow the cold heat from the liquid metal rapidly through the good heat conductor to the cooling duct and allows to maintain the temperature distribution on the reactor wall substantially linear even with the abrupt temperature change in the liquid metal. Further, by appending the good heat conductor covered with inactive metals not only on the outer side but also on the inside of the reactor wall to introduce the heat near the liquid level to the upper portion and escape the same to the cooling layer below the roof slab, the effect can be improved further. (Ikeda, J.)

Reactor technology: power conversion systems and reactor operation and maintenance

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Powell, J.R.

1977-01-01

The use of advanced fuels permits the use of coolants (organic, high pressure helium) that result in power conversion systems with good thermal efficiency and relatively low cost. Water coolant would significantly reduce thermal efficiency, while lithium and salt coolants, which have been proposed for DT reactors, will have comparable power conversion efficiencies, but will probably be significantly more expensive. Helium cooled blankets with direct gas turbine power conversion cycles can also be used with DT reactors, but activation problems will be more severe, and the portion of blanket power in the metallic structure will probably not be available for the direct cycle, because of temperature limitations. A very important potential advantage of advanced fuel reactors over DT fusion reactors is the possibility of easier blanket maintenance and reduced down time for replacement. If unexpected leaks occur, in most cases the leaking circuit can be shut off and a redundant cooling curcuit will take over the thermal load. With the D-He 3 reactor, it appears practical to do this while the reactor is operating, as long as the leak is small enough not to shut down the reactor. Redundancy for Cat-D reactors has not been explored in detail, but appears feasible in principle. The idea of mobile units operating in the reactor chamber for service and maintenance of radioactive elements is explored

Fusion-fission hybrid reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Greenspan, E.

1984-01-01

This chapter discusses the range of characteristics attainable from hybrid reactor blankets; blanket design considerations; hybrid reactor designs; alternative fuel hybrid reactors; multi-purpose hybrid reactors; and hybrid reactors and the energy economy. Hybrid reactors are driven by a fusion neutron source and include fertile and/or fissile material. The fusion component provides a copious source of fusion neutrons which interact with a subcritical fission component located adjacent to the plasma or pellet chamber. Fissile fuel and/or energy are the main products of hybrid reactors. Topics include high F/M blankets, the fissile (and tritium) breeding ratio, effects of composition on blanket properties, geometrical considerations, power density and first wall loading, variations of blanket properties with irradiation, thermal-hydraulic and mechanical design considerations, safety considerations, tokamak hybrid reactors, tandem-mirror hybrid reactors, inertial confinement hybrid reactors, fusion neutron sources, fissile-fuel and energy production ability, simultaneous production of combustible and fissile fuels, fusion reactors for waste transmutation and fissile breeding, nuclear pumped laser hybrid reactors, Hybrid Fuel Factories (HFFs), and scenarios for hybrid contribution. The appendix offers hybrid reactor fundamentals. Numerous references are provided

Reactor protection systems for the Replacement Research Reactor, ANSTO

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Morris, C.R.

2003-01-01

The 20-MW Replacement Research Reactor Project which is currently under construction at ANSTO will have a combination of a state of the art triplicated computer based reactor protection system, and a fully independent, and diverse, triplicated analogue reactor protection system, that has been in use in the nuclear industry, for many decades. The First Reactor Protection System (FRPS) consists of a Triconex triplicated modular redundant system that has recently been approved by the USNRC for use in the USA?s power reactor program. The Second Reactor Protection System is a hardwired analogue system supplied by Foxboro, the Spec 200 system, which is also Class1E qualified. The FRPS is used to drop the control rods when its safety parameter setpoints have been reached. The SRPS is used to drain the reflector tank and since this operation would result in a reactor poison out due to the time it would take to refill the tank the FRPS trip setpoints are more limiting. The FRPS and SRPS have limited hardwired indications on the control panels in the main control room (MCR) and emergency control centre (ECC), however all FRPS and SRPS parameters are capable of being displayed on the reactor control and monitoring system (RCMS) video display units. The RCMS is a Foxboro Series I/A control system which is used for plant control and monitoring and as a protection system for the cold neutron source. This paper will provide technical information on both systems, their trip logics, their interconnections with each other, and their integration into the reactor control and monitoring system and control panels. (author)

Reactor container

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fukazawa, Masanori.

1991-01-01

A system for controlling combustible gases, it has been constituted at present such that the combustible gases are controlled by exhausting them to the wet well of a reactor container. In this system, however, there has been a problem, in a reactor container having plenums in addition to the wet well and the dry well, that the combustible gases in such plenums can not be controlled. In view of the above, in the present invention, suction ports or exhaust ports of the combustible gas control system are disposed to the wet well, the dry well and the plenums to control the combustible gases in the reactor container. Since this can control the combustible gases in the entire reactor container, the integrity of the reactor container can be ensured. (T.M.)

A multi-purpose reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Changwen Ma

2000-01-01

An integrated natural circulation self pressurized reactor can be used for sea water desalination, electrogeneration, ship propulsion and district or process heating. The reactor can be used for ship propulsion because it has following advantages: it is a integrated reactor. Whole primary loop is included in a size limited pressure vessel. For a 200 MW reactor the diameter of the pressure vessel is about 5 m. It is convenient to arranged on a ship. Hydraulic driving facility of control rods is used on the reactor. It notably decreases the height of the reactor. For ship propulsion, smaller diameter and smaller height are important. Besides these, the operation reliability of the reactor is high enough, because there is no rotational machine (for example, circulating pump) in safety systems. Reactor systems are simple. There are no emergency water injection system and boron concentration regulating system. These features for ship propulsion reactor are valuable. Design of the reactor is based on existing demonstration district heating reactor design. The mechanic design principles are the same. But boiling is introduced in the reactor core. Several variants to use the reactor as a movable seawater desalination plant are presented in the paper. When the sea water desalination plant is working to produce fresh water, the reactor can supply electricity at the same time to the local electricity network. Some analyses for comprehensive application of the reactor have been done. Main features and parameters of the small (Thermopower 200 MW) reactor are given in the paper. (author)

TU Electric reactor physics model verification: Power reactor benchmark

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Willingham, C.E.; Killgore, M.R.

1988-01-01

Power reactor benchmark calculations using the advanced code package CASMO-3/SIMULATE-3 have been performed for six cycles of Prairie Island Unit 1. The reload fuel designs for the selected cycles included gadolinia as a burnable absorber, natural uranium axial blankets and increased water-to-fuel ratio. The calculated results for both startup reactor physics tests (boron endpoints, control rod worths, and isothermal temperature coefficients) and full power depletion results were compared to measured plant data. These comparisons show that the TU Electric reactor physics models accurately predict important measured parameters for power reactors

Supercritical Water Reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bouchter, J.C.; Dufour, P.; Guidez, J.; Latge, C.; Renault, C.; Rimpault, G.

2014-01-01

The supercritical water reactor (SCWR) is one of the 6 concepts selected for the 4. generation of nuclear reactors. SCWR is a new concept, it is an attempt to optimize boiling water reactors by using the main advantages of supercritical water: only liquid phase and a high calorific capacity. The SCWR requires very high temperatures (over 375 C degrees) and very high pressures (over 22.1 MPa) to operate which allows a high conversion yield (44% instead of 33% for a PWR). Low volumes of coolant are necessary which makes the neutron spectrum shift towards higher energies and it is then possible to consider fast reactors operating with supercritical water. The main drawbacks of supercritical water is the necessity to use very high pressures which has important constraints on the reactor design, its physical properties (density, calorific capacity) that vary strongly with temperatures and pressures and its very high corrosiveness. The feasibility of the concept is not yet assured in terms of adequate materials that resist to corrosion, reactor stability, reactor safety, and reactor behaviour in accidental situations. (A.C.)

Tank type reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Otsuka, Fumio.

1989-01-01

The present invention concerns a tank type reactor capable of securing reactor core integrity by preventing incorporation of gases to an intermediate heat exchanger, thgereby improving the reliability. In a conventional tank type reactor, since vortex flows are easily caused near the inlet of an intermediate heat exchanger, there is a fear that cover gases are involved into the coolant main streams to induce fetal accidents. In the present invention, a reactor core is suspended by way of a suspending body to the inside of a reactor vessel and an intermediate heat exchanger and a pump are disposed between the suspending body and the reactor vessel, in which a vortex current preventive plate is attached at the outside near the coolant inlet on the primary circuit of the intermediate heat exchanger. In this way vortex or turbulence near the inlet of the intermediate heata exchanger or near the surface of coolants can be prevented. Accordingly, the cover gases are no more involved, to insure the reactor core integrity and obtain a tank type nuclear reactor of high reliability. (I.S.)

New about research reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Egorenkov, P.M.

2001-01-01

The multi-purpose research reactor MAPLE (Canada) and concept of new reactor MAPLE-CNF as will substitute the known Canadian research reactor NRU are described. New reactor will be used as contributor for investigations into materials, neutron beams and further developments for the CANDU type reactor. The Budapest research reactor (BRR) and its application after the last reconstruction are considered also [ru

UK's Brexit battle casts shadow over funding for international fusion projects

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shepherd, John

2017-01-01

The ramifications of Brexit - the UK's decision to leave the European Union - have continued to send shockwaves through the nuclear energy community, since I explained in this column recently that the move also means withdrawing from the Euratom Treaty. Now the UK's divorce from the EU is posing a threat that could deal a major blow to international efforts in fusion research. In fact, confusing signals from the UK have cast doubt on future funding and support for two key areas of world fusion cooperation: the Oxfordshire-based Joint European Torus (Jet) programme and the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (Iter) project at Cadarache in France.

Resonant double loop antenna development at ORNL

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Taylor, D.J.; Baity, F.W.; Brown, R.A.; Bryan, W.E.; Fadnek, A.; Hoffman, D.J.; King, J.F.; Livesey, R.L.; McIlwain, R.L.

1988-01-01

As part of the development of ion cyclotron resonant heating (ICRH) systems for fusion research, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has built resonant double loop (RDL) antennas for the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) (Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ, US) and Tore Supra (Centre d'Etudes Nucleaire, Cadarache, France). Each antenna has been designed to deliver 4 MW of power. The electrical circuit and the mechanical philosophy employed are the same for both antennas, but different operating environments lead to substantial differences in the designs of specific components. A description and a comparison of the technologies developed in the two designs are presented. 5 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab

Recent activities of the CABRI hodoscope

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Helmick, H.H.; Baumung, K.; Boehnel, K.

1982-01-01

The present status of the CABRI hodoscope capability and how it serves as a diagnostic aid in the CABRI Fast Reactor Safety Research Project at Cadarache, France, is reported. A brief description of the 51-channel-high by 3-channel-wide neutron hodoscope is given and data reduction methods are described. Calibration requirements and counting system deadtime measurement techniques are discussed. Examples are given showing the results of single fuel pin experiments where fuel pin failure occurred and subsequent fuel motion is observed. Computer-generated graphic displays show the evolution of fuel motion in time in both two- and three-dimensional perspective illustrations. Results from several experiments are presented

UK's Brexit battle casts shadow over funding for international fusion projects

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shepherd, John [nuclear 24, Redditch (United Kingdom)

2017-04-15

The ramifications of Brexit - the UK's decision to leave the European Union - have continued to send shockwaves through the nuclear energy community, since I explained in this column recently that the move also means withdrawing from the Euratom Treaty. Now the UK's divorce from the EU is posing a threat that could deal a major blow to international efforts in fusion research. In fact, confusing signals from the UK have cast doubt on future funding and support for two key areas of world fusion cooperation: the Oxfordshire-based Joint European Torus (Jet) programme and the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (Iter) project at Cadarache in France.

New neutron detector based on micromegas technology for ADS projects

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Andriamonje, Samuel; Andriamonje, Gregory; Aune, Stephan; Ban, Gilles; Breaud, Stephane; Blandin, Christophe; Ferrer, Esther; Geslot, Benoit; Giganon, Arnaud; Giomataris, Ioannis; Jammes, Christian; Kadi, Yacine; Laborie, Philippe; Lecolley, Jean Francois; Pancin, Julien; Riallot, Marc; Rosa, Roberto; Sarchiapone, Lucia; Steckmeyer, Jean Claude; Tillier, Joel

2006-01-01

A new neutron detector based on Micromegas technology has been developed for the measurement of the simulated neutron spectrum in the ADS project. After the presentation of simulated neutron spectra obtained in the interaction of 140 MeV protons with the spallation target inside the TRIGA core, a full description of the new detector configuration is given. The advantage of this detector compared to conventional neutron flux detectors and the results obtained with the first prototype at the CELINA 14 MeV neutron source facility at CEA-Cadarache are presented. The future developments of operational Piccolo-Micromegas for fast neutron reactors are also described

New neutron detector based on micromegas technology for ADS projects

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Andriamonje, Samuel [CEA-Saclay, DSM/DAPNIA, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette (France)]. E-mail: sandriamonje@cea.fr; Andriamonje, Gregory [IXL-Universite Bordeaux 1-BAT. A31-351 cours de la Liberation-F-33405 Talence Cedex (France); Aune, Stephan [CEA-Saclay, DSM/DAPNIA, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette (France); Ban, Gilles [CNRS/IN2P3 LPC Caen, 6 Boulevard Marechal Juin, F-14050 Caen Cedex (France); Breaud, Stephane [CEA/DEN/Cadarache, 13108 Saint-Paul Lez Durance (France); Blandin, Christophe [CEA/DEN/Cadarache, 13108 Saint-Paul Lez Durance (France); Ferrer, Esther [CEA-Saclay, DSM/DAPNIA, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette (France); Geslot, Benoit [CEA/DEN/Cadarache, 13108 Saint-Paul Lez Durance (France); Giganon, Arnaud [CEA-Saclay, DSM/DAPNIA, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette (France); Giomataris, Ioannis [CEA-Saclay, DSM/DAPNIA, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette (France); Jammes, Christian [CEA/DEN/Cadarache, 13108 Saint-Paul Lez Durance (France); Kadi, Yacine [CERN CH 1211 Geneva (Switzerland); Laborie, Philippe [CNRS/IN2P3 LPC Caen, 6 Boulevard Marechal Juin, F-14050 Caen Cedex (France); Lecolley, Jean Francois [CNRS/IN2P3 LPC Caen, 6 Boulevard Marechal Juin, F-14050 Caen Cedex (France); Pancin, Julien [CEA-Saclay, DSM/DAPNIA, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette (France); Riallot, Marc [CEA-Saclay, DSM/DAPNIA, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette (France); Rosa, Roberto [ENEA-Casaccia, Via Anguillarese, 00060 Rome (Italy); Sarchiapone, Lucia [CERN CH 1211 Geneva (Switzerland); Steckmeyer, Jean Claude [CNRS/IN2P3 LPC Caen, 6 Boulevard Marechal Juin, F-14050 Caen Cedex (France); Tillier, Joel [CNRS/IN2P3 LPC Caen, 6 Boulevard Marechal Juin, F-14050 Caen Cedex (France)

2006-06-23

A new neutron detector based on Micromegas technology has been developed for the measurement of the simulated neutron spectrum in the ADS project. After the presentation of simulated neutron spectra obtained in the interaction of 140 MeV protons with the spallation target inside the TRIGA core, a full description of the new detector configuration is given. The advantage of this detector compared to conventional neutron flux detectors and the results obtained with the first prototype at the CELINA 14 MeV neutron source facility at CEA-Cadarache are presented. The future developments of operational Piccolo-Micromegas for fast neutron reactors are also described.

Evaluation of Pressure Changes in HANARO Reactor Hall after a Reactor Shutdown

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Han, Geeyang; Han, Jaesam; Ahn, Gukhoon; Jung, Hoansung

2013-01-01

The major objective of this work is intended to evaluate the characteristics of the thermal behavior regarding how the decay heat will be affected by the reactor hall pressure change and the increase of pool water temperature induced in the primary coolant after a reactor shutdown. The particular reactor pool water temperature at the surface where it is evaporated owing to the decay heat resulting in the local heat transfer rate is related to the pressure change response in the reactor hall associated with the primary cooling system because of the reduction of the heat exchanger to remove the heat. The increase in the pool water temperature is proportional to the heat transfer rate in the reactor pool. Consequently, any limit on the reactor pool water temperature imposes a corresponding limit on the reactor hall pressure. At HANARO, the decay heat after a reactor shutdown is mainly removed by the natural circulation cooling in the reactor pool. This paper is written for the safety feature of the pressure change related leakage rate from the reactor hall. The calculation results show that the increase of pressure in the reactor hall will not cause any serious problems to the safety limits although the reactor hall pressure is slightly increased. Therefore, it was concluded that the pool water temperature increase is not so rapid as to cause the pressure to vary significantly in the reactor hall. Furthermore, the mathematical model developed in this work can be a useful analytical tool for scoping and parametric studies in the area of thermal transient analysis, with its proper representation of the interaction between the temperature and pressure in the reactor hall

Design guide for Category III reactors: pool type reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brynda, W.J.; Lobner, P.R.; Powell, R.W.; Straker, E.A.

1978-11-01

The Department of Energy (DOE) in the ERDA Manual requires that all DOE-owned reactors be sited, designed, constructed, modified, operated, maintained, and decommissioned in a manner that gives adequate consideration to health and safety factors. Specific guidance pertinent to the safety of DOE-owned reactors is found in Chapter 0540 of the ERDA Manual. The purpose of this Design Guide is to provide additional guidance to aid the DOE facility contractor in meeting the requirement that the siting, design, construction, modification, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of DOE-owned reactors be in accordance with generally uniform standards, guides, and codes which are comparable to those applied to similar reactors licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This Design Guide deals principally with the design and functional requirement of Category III reactor structures, components, and systems

The computerized reactor period measurement system for China fast burst reactor-II

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhao Wuwen; Jiang Zhiguo

1996-01-01

The article simply introduces the hardware, principle, and software of the computerized reactor period measurement system for China Fast Burst Reactor-II (CFBR-II). It also gives the relation between fission yield and pre-reactivity of CFBR-II reactor system of bared reactor with decoupled-component and system of bared reactor with multiple light-material. The computerized measurement system makes the reactor period measurement into automatical and intelligent and also improves the speed and precision of period data on-line process

Computer measurement system of reactor period for China fast burst reactor-II

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhao Wuwen; Jiang Zhiguo

1997-01-01

The author simply introduces the hardware, principle, and software of the reactor period computer measure system for China Fast Burst Reactor-II (CFBR-II). It also gives the relation between Fission yield and Pre-reactivity of CFBR-II reactor system of bared reactor with decoupled-component and system of bared reactor with multiple light-material. The computer measure system makes the reactor period measurement into automation and intellectualization and also improves the speed and precision of period data process on-line

Reactor safety method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vachon, L.J.

1980-01-01

This invention relates to safety means for preventing a gas cooled nuclear reactor from attaining criticality prior to start up in the event the reactor core is immersed in hydrogenous liquid. This is accomplished by coating the inside surface of the reactor coolant channels with a neutral absorbing material that will vaporize at the reactor's operating temperature

Corium spreading: hydrodynamics, rheology and solidification of a high-temperature oxide melt; L'etalement du corium: hydrodynamique, rheologie et solidification d'unbain d'oxydes a haute temperature

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Journeau, Ch

2006-06-15

In the hypothesis of a nuclear reactor severe accident, the core could melt and form a high- temperature (2000-3000 K) mixture called corium. In the hypothesis of vessel rupture, this corium would spread in the reactor pit and adjacent rooms as occurred in Chernobyl or in a dedicated core-catcher s in the new European Pressurized reactor, EPR. This thesis is dedicated to the experimental study of corium spreading, especially with the prototypic corium material experiments performed in the VULCANO facility at CEA Cadarache. The first step in analyzing these tests consists in interpreting the material analyses, with the help of thermodynamic modelling of corium solidification. Knowing for each temperature the phase repartition and composition, physical properties can be estimated. Spreading termination is controlled by corium rheological properties in the solidification range, which leads to studying them in detail. The hydrodynamical, rheological and solidification aspects of corium spreading are taken into account in models and computer codes which have been validated against these tests and enable the assessment of the EPR spreading core-catcher concept. (author)

Corium spreading: hydrodynamics, rheology and solidification of a high-temperature oxide melt

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Journeau, Ch.

2006-06-01

In the hypothesis of a nuclear reactor severe accident, the core could melt and form a high- temperature (2000-3000 K) mixture called corium. In the hypothesis of vessel rupture, this corium would spread in the reactor pit and adjacent rooms as occurred in Chernobyl or in a dedicated core-catcher s in the new European Pressurized reactor, EPR. This thesis is dedicated to the experimental study of corium spreading, especially with the prototypic corium material experiments performed in the VULCANO facility at CEA Cadarache. The first step in analyzing these tests consists in interpreting the material analyses, with the help of thermodynamic modelling of corium solidification. Knowing for each temperature the phase repartition and composition, physical properties can be estimated. Spreading termination is controlled by corium rheological properties in the solidification range, which leads to studying them in detail. The hydrodynamical, rheological and solidification aspects of corium spreading are taken into account in models and computer codes which have been validated against these tests and enable the assessment of the EPR spreading core-catcher concept. (author)

Small propulsion reactor design based on particle bed reactor concept

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ludewig, H.; Lazareth, O.; Mughabghab, S.; Perkins, K.; Powell, J.R.

1989-01-01

In this paper Particle Bed Reactor (PBR) designs are discussed which use 233 U and /sup 242m/Am as fissile materials. A constant total power of 100MW is assumed for all reactors in this study. Three broad aspects of these reactors is discussed. First, possible reactor designs are developed, second physics calculations are outlined and discussed and third mass estimates of the various candidates reactors are made. It is concluded that reactors with a specific mass of 1 kg/MW can be envisioned of 233 U is used and approximately a quarter of this value can be achieved if /sup 242m/Am is used. If this power level is increased by increasing the power density lower specific mass values are achievable. The limit will be determined by uncertainties in the thermal-hydraulic analysis. 5 refs., 5 figs., 6 tabs

Physics of nuclear reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Baeten, Peter

2006-01-01

This course gives an introduction to Nuclear Reactor Physics. The first chapter explains the most important parameters and concepts in nuclear reactor physics such as fission, cross sections and the effective multiplication factor. Further on, in the second chapter, the flux distributions in a stationary reactor are derived from the diffusion equation. Reactor kinetics, reactor control and reactor dynamics (feedback effects) are described in the following three chapters. The course concludes with a short description of the different types of existing and future reactors. (author)

Generation III+ Reactor Portfolio

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2010-03-01

While the power generation needs of utilities are unique and diverse, they are all faced with the double challenge of meeting growing electricity needs while curbing CO 2 emissions. To answer these diverse needs and help tackle this challenge, AREVA has developed several reactor models which are briefly described in this document: The EPR TM Reactor: designed on the basis of the Konvoi (Germany) and N4 (France) reactors, the EPRTM reactor is an evolutionary model designed to achieve best-in-class safety and operational performance levels. The ATMEA1 TM reactor: jointly designed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and AREVA through ATMEA, their common company. This reactor design benefits from the competencies and expertise of the two mother companies, which have commissioned close to 130 reactor units. The KERENA TM reactor: Designed on the basis of the most recent German BWR reactors (Gundremmingen) the KERENA TM reactor relies on proven technology while also including innovative, yet thoroughly tested, features. The optimal combination of active and passive safety systems for a boiling water reactor achieves a very low probability of severe accident

Guide to power reactors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1959-07-15

The IAEA's major first scientific publication is the Directory of Power Reactors now in operation or under construction in various parts of the world. The purpose of the directory is to present important details of various power projects in such a way as to provide a source of easy reference for anyone interested in the development of the peaceful uses of atomic energy, either at the technical or management level. Six pages have been devoted to each reactor the first of which contains general information, reactor physics data and information about the core. The second and third contain sketches of the fuel element or of the fuel element assembly, and of the horizontal and vertical sections of the reactor. On the fourth page information is grouped under the following heads: fuel element, core heat transfer, control, reactor vessel and over-all dimensions, and fluid flow. The fifth page shows a simplified flow diagram, while the sixth provides information on reflector and shielding, containment and turbo generator. Some information has also been given, when available, on cost estimates and operating staff requirements. Remarks and a bibliography constitute the last part of the description of each reactor. Reactor projects included in this directory are pressurized light water cooled power reactors. Boiling light water cooled power reactors, heavy water cooled power reactors, gas cooled power reactors, organic cooled power reactors liquid metal cooled power reactors and liquid metal cooled power reactors

Analysis of dynamic stability and safety of reactor system by reactor simulator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Raisic, N.

1963-11-01

In order to enable qualitative analysis of dynamic properties of reactors RA and RB, mathematical models of these reactors were formulated and adapted for solution on analog computer. This report contains basic assessments for creating the model and complete equations for each reactor. Model was used to analyse three possible accidents at the RA reactor and possible hypothetical accidents at the RB reactor

Nuclear reactor physics

CERN Document Server

Stacey, Weston M

2010-01-01

Nuclear reactor physics is the core discipline of nuclear engineering. Nuclear reactors now account for a significant portion of the electrical power generated worldwide, and new power reactors with improved fuel cycles are being developed. At the same time, the past few decades have seen an ever-increasing number of industrial, medical, military, and research applications for nuclear reactors. The second edition of this successful comprehensive textbook and reference on basic and advanced nuclear reactor physics has been completely updated, revised and enlarged to include the latest developme

Sodium-cooled nuclear reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hammers, H.W.

1982-01-01

The invention concerns a sodium-cooled nuclear reactor, whose reactor tank contains the primary circuit, shielding surrounding the reactor core and a primary/secondary heat exchanger, particularly a fast breeder reactor on the module principle. In order to achieve this module principle it is proposed to have electromagnetic circulating pumps outside the reactor tank, where the heat exchanger is accomodated in an annular case above the pumps. This case has several openings at the top end to the space above the reactor core, some smaller openings in the middle to the same space and is connected at the bottom to an annular space between the tank wall and the reactor core. As a favoured variant, it is proposed that the annular electromagnetic pumps should be arranged concentrically to the reactor tank, where there is an annual duct on the inside of the reactor tank. In this way the sodium-cooled nuclear reactor is made suitable as a module with a large number of such elements. (orig.) [de

Atomic reactor thermal engineering

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Gwang Ryong

1983-02-01

This book starts the introduction of atomic reactor thermal engineering including atomic reaction, chemical reaction, nuclear reaction neutron energy and soon. It explains heat transfer, heat production in the atomic reactor, heat transfer of fuel element in atomic reactor, heat transfer and flow of cooler, thermal design of atomic reactor, design of thermodynamics of atomic reactor and various. This deals with the basic knowledge of thermal engineering for atomic reactor.

Argentinean integrated small reactor design and scale economy analysis of integrated reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Florido, P. C.; Bergallo, J. E.; Ishida, M. V.

2000-01-01

This paper describes the design of CAREM, which is Argentinean integrated small reactor project and the scale economy analysis results of integrated reactor. CAREM project consists on the development, design and construction of a small nuclear power plant. CAREM is an advanced reactor conceived with new generation design solutions and standing on the large experience accumulated in the safe operation of Light Water Reactors. The CAREM is an indirect cycle reactor with some distinctive and characteristic features that greatly simplify the reactor and also contribute to a highly level of safety: integrated primary cooling system, self pressurized, primary cooling by natural circulation and safety system relying on passive features. For a fully doupled economic evaluation of integrated reactors done by IREP (Integrated Reactor Evaluation Program) code transferred to IAEA, CAREM have been used as a reference point. The results shows that integrated reactors become competitive with power larger than 200MWe with Argentinean cheapest electricity option. Due to reactor pressure vessel construction limit, low pressure drop steam generator are used to reach power output of 200MWe for natural circulation. For forced circulation, 300MWe can be achieved. (author)

Fast reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vasile, A.

2001-01-01

Fast reactors have capacities to spare uranium natural resources by their breeding property and to propose solutions to the management of radioactive wastes by limiting the inventory of heavy nuclei. This article highlights the role that fast reactors could play for reducing the radiotoxicity of wastes. The conversion of 238 U into 239 Pu by neutron capture is more efficient in fast reactors than in light water reactors. In fast reactors multi-recycling of U + Pu leads to fissioning up to 95% of the initial fuel ( 238 U + 235 U). 2 strategies have been studied to burn actinides: - the multi-recycling of heavy nuclei is made inside the fuel element (homogeneous option); - the unique recycling is made in special irradiation targets placed inside the core or at its surroundings (heterogeneous option). Simulations have shown that, for the same amount of energy produced (400 TWhe), the mass of transuranium elements (Pu + Np + Am + Cm) sent to waste disposal is 60,9 Kg in the homogeneous option and 204.4 Kg in the heterogeneous option. Experimental programs are carried out in Phenix and BOR60 reactors in order to study the feasibility of such strategies. (A.C.)

Reactor power measuring device

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Izumi, Mikio; Sano, Yuji; Seki, Eiji; Yoshida, Toshifumi; Ito, Toshiaki.

1993-01-01

The present invention provides a self-powered long detector having a sensitivity over the entire length of a reactor core as an entire control rod withdrawal range of a BWR type reactor, and a reactor power measuring device using a gamma ray thermometer which scarcely causes sensitivity degradation. That is, a hollow protection pipe is disposed passing through the reactor core from the outside of a reactor pressure vessel. The self-powered long detectors and the gamma ray thermometers are inserted and installed in the protection pipe. An average reactor power in an axial direction of the reactor relative to a certain position in the horizontal cross section of the reactor core is determined based on the power of the self-powered long detector over the entire length of the reactor core. Since the response of the self-powered detector relative to a local power change is rapid, the output is used as an input signal to a safety protection device of the reactor core. Further, a gamma ray thermometer secured in the reactor and having scarce sensitivity degradation is used instead of an incore travelling neutron monitor used for relative calibration of an existent neutron monitor secured in the reactor. (I.S.)

Reactor container

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kojima, Yoshihiro; Hosomi, Kenji; Otonari, Jun-ichiro.

1997-01-01

In the present invention, a catalyst for oxidizing hydrogen to be disposed in a reactor container upon rupture of pipelines of a reactor primary coolant system is prevented from deposition of water droplets formed from a reactor container spray to suppress elevation of hydrogen concentration in the reactor container. Namely, a catalytic combustion gas concentration control system comprises a catalyst for oxidizing hydrogen and a support thereof. In addition, there is also disposed a water droplet deposition-preventing means for preventing deposition of water droplets in a reactor pressure vessel on the catalyst. Then, the effect of the catalyst upon catalytic oxidation reaction of hydrogen can be kept high. The local elevation of hydrogen concentration can be prevented even upon occurrence of such a phenomenon that various kinds of mobile forces in the container such as dry well cooling system are lost. (I.S.)

Study on Reactor Performance of Online Power Monitoring in PUSPATI TRIGA Reactor (RTP)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zareen Khan Abdul Jalil Khan; Ridzuan Abdul Mutalib; Mohd Sabri Minhat

2014-01-01

The Reactor TRIGA PUSPATI (RTP) at Malaysia Nuclear Agency is a TRIGA Mark II type reactor and pool type cooled by natural circulation of light water. This paper describe on reactor performance of online power monitoring based on various parameter of reactor such as log power, linear power, period, Fuel and coolant temperature and reactivity parameter with using neutronic and other instrumentation system of reactor. Methodology of online power estimation and monitoring is to evaluate and analysis of reactor power which is important of reactor safety and control. Neutronic instrumentation system will use to estimate power measurement, differential of log and linear power and period during reactor operation .This study also focus on noise fluctuation from fission chamber during reactor operation .This work will present result of online power monitoring from RTP which indicated the safety parameter identification and initiate safety action on crossing the threshold set point trip. Conclude that optimization of online power monitoring will improved the reactor control and safety parameter of reactor during operation. (author)

Nuclear power reactors: reactor safety and military and civil defence

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hvinden, T.

1976-01-01

The formation of fission products and plutonium in reactors is briefly described, followed by a short general discussion of reactor safety. The interaction of reactor safety and radioactive release considerations with military and civil defence is thereafter discussed. Reactors and other nuclear plants are factors which must be taken into account in the defence of the district around the site, and as potential targets of both conventional and guerilla attacks and sabotage, requiring special defence. The radiological hazards arising from serious damage to a power reactor by conventional weapons are briefly discussed, and the benefits of underground siting evaluated. Finally the author discusses the significance of the IAEA safeguards work as a preventive factor. (JIW)

Research reactors in Argentina

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Carlos Ruben Calabrese

1999-01-01

Argentine Nuclear Development started in early fifties. In 1957, it was decided to built the first a research reactor. RA-1 reactor (120 kw, today licensed to work at 40 kW) started operation in January 1958. Originally RA-1 was an Argonaut (American design) reactor. In early sixties, the RA-1 core was changed. Fuel rods (20% enrichment) was introduced instead the old Argonaut core design. For that reason, a critical facility named RA-0 was built. After that, the RA-3 project started, to build a multipurpose 5 MW nuclear reactor MTR pool type, to produce radioisotopes and research. For that reason and to define the characteristics of the RA-3 core, another critical facility was built, RA-2. Initially RA-3 was a 90 % enriched fuel reactor, and started operation in 1967. When Atucha I NPP project started, a German design Power Reactor, a small homogeneous reactor was donated by the German Government to Argentina (1969). This was RA-4 reactor (20% enrichment, 1W). In 1982, RA-6 pool reactor achieved criticality. This is a 500 kW reactor with 90% enriched MTR fuel elements. In 1990, RA-3 started to operate fueled by 20% enriched fuel. In 1997, the RA-8 (multipurpose critical facility located at Pilcaniyeu) started to operate. RA-3 reactor is the most important CNEA reactor for Argentine Research Reactors development. It is the first in a succession of Argentine MTR reactors built by CNEA (and INVAP SE ) in Argentina and other countries: RA-6 (500 kW, Bariloche-Argentina), RP-10 (10MW, Peru), NUR (500 kW, Algeria), MPR (22 MW, Egypt). The experience of Argentinian industry permits to compete with foreign developed countries as supplier of research reactors. Today, CNEA has six research reactors whose activities have a range from education and promotion of nuclear activity, to radioisotope production. For more than forty years, Argentine Research Reactors are working. The experience of Argentine is important, and argentine firms are able to compete in the design and

To the analysis of reactor noise in boiling water reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Seifritz, W.

1972-01-01

The paper contains some basic thoughts on the problem of neutron flux oscillations in power reactors. The advantages of self-powered detectors and their function are explained. In addition, noise measurements of the boiling water reactors at Lingen and Holden are described, and the possibilities of an employment of vanadium detectors for the analysis of reactor noise are discussed. The final pages of the paper contain a complete list of the author's publications in the field of reactor noise analysis. (RW/AK) [de

The CEA research reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Schwartz, J.P.

1993-01-01

Two main research reactors, specifically designed, PEGASE reactor and Laue-Langevin high flux reactor, are presented. The PEGASE reactor was designed at the end of the 50s for the study of the gas cooled reactor fuel element behaviour under irradiation; the HFR reactor, was designed in the late 60s to serve as a high yield and high level neutron source. Historical backgrounds, core and fuel characteristics and design, flux characteristics, etc., are presented. 5 figs

State space modeling of reactor core in a pressurized water reactor

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ashaari, A.; Ahmad, T.; M, Wan Munirah W. [Department of Mathematical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor (Malaysia); Shamsuddin, Mustaffa [Institute of Ibnu Sina, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor (Malaysia); Abdullah, M. Adib [Swinburne University of Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Jalan Simpang Tiga, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak (Malaysia)

2014-07-10

The power control system of a nuclear reactor is the key system that ensures a safe operation for a nuclear power plant. However, a mathematical model of a nuclear power plant is in the form of nonlinear process and time dependent that give very hard to be described. One of the important components of a Pressurized Water Reactor is the Reactor core. The aim of this study is to analyze the performance of power produced from a reactor core using temperature of the moderator as an input. Mathematical representation of the state space model of the reactor core control system is presented and analyzed in this paper. The data and parameters are taken from a real time VVER-type Pressurized Water Reactor and will be verified using Matlab and Simulink. Based on the simulation conducted, the results show that the temperature of the moderator plays an important role in determining the power of reactor core.

Virtual nuclear reactor for education of nuclear reactor physics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)