1. 1 Nuclear Division - GLF FP6 - Proposal for a Specific Targeted Research Project on Innovative Technologies for the Sodium cooled fast Reactor ITSR - FP6 STREP presented by Gian Luigi FIORINI CEA/DEN/DDIN

2. 2 Nuclear Division - GLF Objectives The current Gen IV SFR project - two main design layout:  the loop type reactor (JSFR) and  the pool type reactor (EFR, Kalimer). The project is organized in parallel “think tanks” on a set of key themes to identify possible innovations applicable to the two retained layouts: Fuel with Minor Actinides, Reactor and core design, Concept and circuit technology; fuel handling, Advanced energy conversion system, Safety assessment.

3. 3 Nuclear Division - GLF For each of these themes, once the innovations identified, they will be implemented and assessed versus the reference EFR and JSFR concepts. This will lead to appreciate the possible benefits in terms of: Economics; Safety; Environment; Waste management; Proliferation resistance & Physical protection. The objective is not to assess EFR or JSFR variations “per se”; these two systems are used as basis to allow starting checking separately the proposed innovations the final goal being – if justified by the pertinence of the proposals - the elaboration of an European proposal for the SFR. Objectives (cont)

4. 4 Nuclear Division - GLF The ECRA Project An analogous project has been conducted in France in the past. A joint team EDF and CEA, named ECRA (Etude de Conception de Réacteurs Avancés), worked during the years 82-84 to identify and assess possible innovations with the objective to improve the competitiveness of the French sodium technology. Some of these innovations where implemented within the EFR. An exhaustive synthesis of the ECRA project results is available. This synthesis could represent a fundamental contribution to start the ITSR project. The deep analysis of this synthesis will be the first deliverable of the project. The innovations already identified have to be reassessed to check their possible interest considering the availability of new technologies. This will also allow avoiding useless effort on solutions that have already been explored and discarded.

5. 5 Nuclear Division - GLF Relevance to the objectives of the Euratom Programme EURATOM, as a member of the GIF (Generation IV International Forum), has elected to participate in the Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR) project. This FP6 ITSR proposal is directed entirely at the SFR project needs, expressed by three of the four projects considered by the SFR R&D Program namely the :  Design & Safety and Integration (D&S);  Advanced fuels & materials (AF);  Component design & Balance of Plant (CD&BOP). The results of the FP6 ITSR tasks are being integrated in the GEN IV SFR R&D programme through the appropriate Project Management Boards (PMBs). In return, the participation to the PMBs should provide significant added value to the ITSR STREP project through feedback from the other Generation IV member’s contributions.