Gas-cooled fast reactor concept review studies

Exploitable results

The objectives of GCFR study were to review the earlier technologies that could allow realisation of a GCFR, to evaluate the main safety characteristics and the safety feasibility of the concept and to investigate the integration of a gas-cooled fast reactor (GCFR) into the nuclear fuel cycle. The study provides further confirmation that the GCFR concepts are securely based on the gas cooled thermal reactor technology and the fast reactor core demonstrated in the European Liquid Metal Fast Reactors (LMFRs). The adequacy of the safety protection, defence in depth and demonstration that modern safety requirements can be satisfied has been illustrated by examination of selected key transients. The fuel cycle review demonstrates the flexibility of the GCFR to adapt to the changing requirements of the fuel cycle from the traditional high breeding rates, to managing the plutonium stock pile and the self sustaining holistic fuel cycle. A remarkable degree of flexibility is possible for breeding and burning plutonium with a broad range of compositions without the need for a change in the design. Whilst a self sustaining GCFR can be safe, economic and securely based on proven technology, it is also a vehicle for development. This development should be directed at improved safety and economics that can be realised in the medium term and includes an interest in higher temperature fuels and materials, inherent safety characteristics and cycle efficiency. Although the development needs to be directed at the particular requirements of a self-sustaining fast reactor e.g. hard neutron flux and fuel that can be reprocessed there are synergies with the HTR development, which should be used to advantage in the utilisation of the R&D resource. The study has prepared the ground for the European contribution to the Generation IV Roadmap in which the GCFR has been selected as one of the 6 key concepts.

Exploitable results

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