The integral fast reactor

Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Advances in Nuclear Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-9925-4_3· OSTI ID:443931

Till, C E; Yoon, I Chang ^[1]

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1. Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)

The Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) is an innovative liquid metal reactor concept being developed at Argonne National Laboratory. It seeks to specifically exploit the inherent properties of liquid metal cooling and metallic fuel in a way that leads to substantial improvements in the characteristics of the complete reactor system. The IFR concept consists of four technical features: (1) liquid sodium cooling, (2) pool-type reactor configuration, (3) metallic fuel, and (4) an integral fuel cycle, based on pyrometallurgical processing and injection-cast fuel fabrication, with the fuel cycle facility collocated with the reactor, if so desired. The single most significant property of liquid metal cooling is that it allows an atmospheric-pressure primary system. There is ample margin between the boiling temperature of sodium ({approximately}900 {degrees}C) and the coolant operating temperature (typically 350 {degrees}C inlet and 510 {degrees}C outlet). The thick-walled pressure vessels that are needed to contain the high pressures in water cooled systems are unnecessary here. This in turn allows a pool configuration with its accompanying large thermal inertial. To fully capitalize on the potential advantage offered by these properties requires complementary selection of fuel material. 23 refs., 7 figs., 5 tabs.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 443931
• Journal Information: Advances in Nuclear Science and Technology, Journal Name: Advances in Nuclear Science and Technology Vol. 20; ISSN 0065-2989; ISSN ANUTAC
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
DESIGN
FUEL MANAGEMENT
IFR REACTOR
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS