Design challenges for sodium cooled fast reactors

European cross-cutting research on structural materials for Generation IV and transmutation systems

“…The GETMAT work programme has been defined in order to: -Improve and extend the qualification of high-Cr (9)(10)(11)(12) In the next sections the content of the work programme defined for these four WPs is summarised. …”

Improving SFR economics through innovations from thermal design and analysis aspects

“…The simplest fluidic diode devices generate an irreversible loss of kinetic energy by creating a strong vortex flow in one direction, while flow in the opposite direction does not have this effect. Fluid diode devices have also been proposed to be used in Japanese advanced loop SFR designs, 6,7 where fluid diodes in the DRACS loops reduce the bypass flow under normal operation. PHX modules use conventional tube bundles to reduce flow resistance and are in baffles to enhance natural circulation as shown in Fig.…”

“…In the past decade, Japanese researchers made impressive effort to improve their advanced loop type SFR design through JFSR project 6,7 , more or less with evolutionary methods. Todreas 8 summarized thermal hydraulic challenges in fast reactor design.…”

“…Advances in R&D for advanced SFR fuel 9 and structural materials 7 provide key long-term opportunities to improve SFR economics. In addition, other new opportunities are emerging to further improve SFR economics.…”

Parametric evaluation of an SMR design domain

“…The experience gained from the design and operation of earlier reactors is being reviewed and utilized in the development of these new reactors (see examples from IAEA, 2007a; Konomura and Ichimiya, 2007). However, as new design domains are being explored, economical and systematic design methods are required.…”