INNOVATIVE FAST BREEDER REACTOR CONCEPT RAPID FOR IMPROVEMENT OF REACTOR PERFORMANCE AND PROLIFERATION RESISTANCE

The 60 MWe metal fueled fast breeder reactor concept 'RAPID' to improv e reactor performance and proliferation resistance has been demonstrat ed. The reactor can be operated without refueling for up to 5 years. T he essential feature of RAPID concept is that the reactor core consist s of an integrated fuel assembly (IFA) instead of conventional fuel su bassemblies. RAPID concept enables quick and simplified refueling by r eplacing an IFA in which all the core and blanket fuel elements are co mprised. An on-site storage cask achieves on-site decay heat removal o f an IFA. After 3 years of on-site storage, an IFA together with an on -site storage cask can be transported directly to the reprocessing pla nt without any intermediate steps. Significant improvement of inherent safety features and plant availability has been discussed. Decay heat removal capability, safety consideration on criticality of the IFA an d shielding design of the on-site storage cask has been confirmed. The RAPID refueling concept possesses high resistance to state-supported removal of plutonium for nuclear weapons production. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.