Department of Nuclear EnergyInternational Atomic Energy

Agency

CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN ACHIEVED WITH LMRsHAS BEEN ACHIEVED WITH LMRs

• Development started in USA, USSR, the UK and France in late Development started in USA, USSR, the UK and France in late 1940s and early 1950s with1940s and early 1950s with test reactorstest reactors such as such as EBR-1 EBR-1 [produced world’s first nuclear electricity] in the USA, and BR-2 [produced world’s first nuclear electricity] in the USA, and BR-2 in the USSRin the USSR

• Experimental reactors such as EBR-2, Fermi and FFTF (USA), Experimental reactors such as EBR-2, Fermi and FFTF (USA), BR-10 and BOR-60 (USSR), Rapsodie (France), KNK-II BR-10 and BOR-60 (USSR), Rapsodie (France), KNK-II (Germany), JOYO (Japan), FBTR (India), and DFR (UK) were (Germany), JOYO (Japan), FBTR (India), and DFR (UK) were constructed from the 1950s - 1970s, constructed from the 1950s - 1970s, leading toleading to

• Demonstration or prototype fast reactorsDemonstration or prototype fast reactors such as Phénix such as Phénix (France), PFR (UK), BN-350 (USSR-Kazakhstan), BN-600 (France), PFR (UK), BN-350 (USSR-Kazakhstan), BN-600 (USSR-Russia), MONJU (Japan) and PFBR (India), and (USSR-Russia), MONJU (Japan) and PFBR (India), and

• The 1200 MWeThe 1200 MWe full-scalefull-scale Superphénix (France) -- (shut down at Superphénix (France) -- (shut down at end of 1998). end of 1998).

• Total experience base with LMRs is 141 reactor-yrsTotal experience base with LMRs is 141 reactor-yrs

Department of Nuclear EnergyInternational Atomic Energy

Agency

Various roles are foreseen for LMRsVarious roles are foreseen for LMRs

• LMRs can contribute byLMRs can contribute by– traditional breeding of fissile material (Pu, traditional breeding of fissile material (Pu,

UU233233))– Pu incinerationPu incineration– transmutation / utilization of long lived transmutation / utilization of long lived

nuclear waste (fission products and nuclear waste (fission products and actinides)actinides)• in reactors, orin reactors, or• in sub-critical cores driven by spallation in sub-critical cores driven by spallation

neutron source (ADS)neutron source (ADS)

Department of Nuclear EnergyInternational Atomic Energy

Agency

LMR development is continuing in some countriesLMR development is continuing in some countries

– France:France: transmutation of long lived nuclear waste and incineration of transmutation of long lived nuclear waste and incineration of Pu is investigated [CAPRA and CADRA projects], and demonstration Pu is investigated [CAPRA and CADRA projects], and demonstration in in PhénixPhénix is planned is planned

– Japan:Japan: MONJU was shut down indefinitely in 1995 due to sodium leak MONJU was shut down indefinitely in 1995 due to sodium leak in secondary circuit; design of 660 MWe demonstration FBR is ongoing; in secondary circuit; design of 660 MWe demonstration FBR is ongoing; operation of JOYO experimental LMR continues for irradiation testsoperation of JOYO experimental LMR continues for irradiation tests

– India:India: FBTR is in operation; construction scheduled to begin in 2001 for FBTR is in operation; construction scheduled to begin in 2001 for the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor

– Russia:Russia: operation of BN-600 continues very successfully; work on one operation of BN-600 continues very successfully; work on one BN-800 unit is ongoing; incineration of Pu in BN-800 is possible; BN-800 unit is ongoing; incineration of Pu in BN-800 is possible; development continues on large sodium cooled designs, and on lead development continues on large sodium cooled designs, and on lead cooled BREST-300 reactor with passive safetycooled BREST-300 reactor with passive safety

– China:China: construction is underway for a 25 MWe experimental fast construction is underway for a 25 MWe experimental fast reactor [CEFR]reactor [CEFR]

– Rep. of Korea:Rep. of Korea: 150 MWe Kalimer plant is being designed -- 150 MWe Kalimer plant is being designed -- construction foreseen after 2010construction foreseen after 2010

Department of Nuclear EnergyInternational Atomic Energy

Agency

Lead-cooled Fast ReactorLead-cooled Fast Reactor• Pb-Bi coolant used in 8 Naval reactors in Russia for 40 yearsPb-Bi coolant used in 8 Naval reactors in Russia for 40 years• Pb CharacteristicsPb Characteristics

– Low neutron absorption (hence less activity)Low neutron absorption (hence less activity)– Chemically inert to water and airChemically inert to water and air– Boiling pt. 2020k, melting pt. 600kBoiling pt. 2020k, melting pt. 600k– Other chemical and physical properties similar to Pb-BiOther chemical and physical properties similar to Pb-Bi

• New Design: Pb-cooled BRESTNew Design: Pb-cooled BREST– (U, Pu)N fuel (thermal conductivity ~10 times of oxide fuel)(U, Pu)N fuel (thermal conductivity ~10 times of oxide fuel)– No blanket for Breeding No blanket for Breeding – Fuel is recycled to remove fp, and add UN; Pu not extracted/addedFuel is recycled to remove fp, and add UN; Pu not extracted/added– Negative void and temperature coefficientsNegative void and temperature coefficients– Low power densityLow power density– Pumps used for forced convection; high natural Circulation Pumps used for forced convection; high natural Circulation

capabilitycapability– Design simpler and cheaper than Na-cooled fast reactor.Design simpler and cheaper than Na-cooled fast reactor.

Department of Nuclear EnergyInternational Atomic Energy

Agency