This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/467661-france-reactor-project-shutdown/

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
After over €700mn in investment, France scraps plans for 4th-gen nuke reactor After €730mn in investment, France scraps plans for 4th-gen nuclear reactor
(about 4 hours later)
The French nuclear agency has admitted it axed plans to build a prototype fast-breeder nuclear reactor - at least, in the foreseeable future - after spending over a decade and hundreds of million of euros on its development. The French nuclear agency says it axed plans to build a prototype fast-breeder nuclear reactor – at least for the foreseeable future – after spending over a decade and hundreds of millions of euros on development.
The decision to not build a prototype of any sort for the ASTRID project (Advanced Sodium Technological Reactor for Industrial Demonstration) was first reported by the French daily Le Monde on Friday. The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), the country’s nuclear agency, has confirmed it washed its hands of the “dead” project and is not spending any resources or money to bring it to life. The decision to not build a prototype for the ASTRID project (Advanced Sodium Technological Reactor for Industrial Demonstration) was first reported by Le Monde on Friday. The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), the country’s nuclear agency, confirmed that it has washed its hands of the “dead” project and is no longer using any resources or money on it.
As of late 2017, the project amassed over €730 million ($803 million) in investment, according to public auditor data quoted by Le Monde. The estimated costs of the whole venture – if a prototype had been actually constructed – would have approached a whopping €5 billion ($5.5 billion). As of late 2017, the project amassed over €730 million ($803 million) in investment, according to public auditor data quoted by Le Monde. The estimated costs for the entire venture – if a prototype had actually been built – would have approached €5 billion.
While a revised program for the development of the so-called 4th-generation reactor is expected to be unveiled by the end of the year, the agency admitted the actual industrial use of such an installation belongs to a rather distant future. While a revised program for the development of the 4th-generation reactor is expected to be unveiled by the end of the year, the agency said that actual industrial use remains in the distant future.
The ASTRID project was to be the successor to France’s three experimental fast reactors – Rapsodie, Phenix and Superphenix – all of which were decommissioned long ago. Had the project materialized, it was expected to yield a 600 MW sodium-cooled fast breeder reactor, built at the Marcoule Nuclear Site. Reactors of this type can utilize isotopes, unsuitable as fuel for the pressurized water reactors (PWR) that drive the majority of the world's nuclear plants. In theory, they can be used to recycle nuclear waste and produce more fission material than the reactor itself needs to operate (hence the ‘breeder’ name). The ASTRID project was to be the successor to France’s three experimental fast reactors – Rapsodie, Phenix, and Superphenix – all of which were decommissioned long ago. Had the project materialized, it was expected to yield a 600 MW sodium-cooled fast breeder reactor, built at the Marcoule Nuclear Site. Reactors of this type can utilize isotopes, unsuitable as fuel for the pressurized water reactors (PWR) that drive the majority of the world’s nuclear plants. In theory, they can be used to recycle nuclear waste and produce more fission material than the reactor itself needs to operate.
One of the main problems with such reactors – though at the same time an advantage – is the liquid metal coolant, sodium, utilized instead of water. Unlike water, sodium stays liquid at very high temperatures and does not require heavy pressurized hulls to keep it inside. Chemical reactivity of the element, however, is a major problem, as any leaks can easily lead to fires and explosions – as the infamous 1995 blaze at Japan's Monju Nuclear Power Plant showed. One of the main problems with these reactors (though, at the same time, an advantage) is the liquid metal coolant, sodium, which is used instead of water. Unlike water, sodium remains liquid at very high temperatures and does not require heavy pressurized hulls to keep it inside. The chemical reactivity of the element, however, is a major problem, as any leaks can easily lead to fires and explosions – as the infamous 1995 blaze at Japan’s Monju Nuclear Power Plant showed.
The only two industrial-grade reactors of the type – BN-600 and BN-800 – are operated by Russia at the Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Plant. A few other nations, however, including China and India, have operational experimental installations with the fast-breeder reactors. The only two industrial-grade reactors of the type – BN-600 and BN-800 – are operated by Russia at the Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Plant. A few other nations, however, including China and India, have operational experimental installations with fast-breeder reactors.
Like this story? Share it with a friend!Like this story? Share it with a friend!