The ASTRID Project and related R&D on Na technology

C. Latge - P. Le Coz - O. Gastaldi - F. Gauche - N. Devictor

CEA, France

Abstract
The pre-conceptual design of the ASTRID project was launched in 2010 by CEA. The objectives of this first phase are to consider innovative options to improve the safety level with progress made in SFR-specific fields. A few examples of these innovations are: a core with an overall negative sodium void effect, specific features to prevent and mitigate severe accidents, power conversion system decreasing drastically the sodium-water reaction risk, improvements in In-Service Inspection and Repair, etc. ASTRID will also be designed to pursue the R&D on sodium fast reactors and demonstrate the feasibility of transmutation of minor actinides. The paper describes the current status of the project, the mains results obtained during the pre-conceptual design and address also the main R&D needs and results, focused on sodium technology. Main R&D tracks and dedicated technological platforms have been identified, particularly thanks to the European project ADRIANA, and some more recent up-dates are described in this paper. Figs 4, Refs 6.