Abstract
Following up the previous CP-ESFR project, the ESFR-SMART project considers the safety objectives envisaged for Generation-IV reactors, taking into account the lessons learned from the Fukushima accident, in order to increase the safety level of the European Sodium Fast Reactor (ESFR). In accordance with these objectives, guidelines have been defined to drive the ESFR-SMART developments, mainly simplifying the design and using all the positive features of Sodium Fast Reactors (SFR), such as low coolant pressure, efficiency of natural convection, possibility of decay heat removal (DHR) by atmospheric air, high thermal inertia and long grace period before a human intervention is needed. In this paper, a set of new ambitious safety measures is introduced for further evaluation within the project. The proposed set aims at consistency with the main lines of safety evolutions since the Fukushima accident, but it does not yet constitute the final comprehensive safety analysis. The paper gives a first review of the new propositions to enhance the ESFR safety, leading to a simplified reactor, forgiving and including a lot of passivity. This first version is supported by the various project tasks in order to assess the relevance of the whole design in comparison to the final safety objectives.
Sodium fast reactor safety and licensing research plan. Volume II.