Physics:Rapsodie
Rapsodie was an experimental nuclear reactor built in Cadarache in France .
It was France's first fast reactor, and first achieved criticality in 1967. Rapsodie was a sodium-cooled fast neutron loop-type reactor with a thermal output of 40MW and no electrical generation facilities, and closed in 1983.[1]
Rapsodie was operated in conditions considered representative of a commercial plant in terms of temperatures (inlet 400 °C (752 °F), outlet 550 °C (1,022 °F)) and neutron flux (3.2e15n/cm/s), and served to prove many elements used in later, larger, breeder reactors.
Rapsodie operated for 15 years, and suffered two leaks, a sodium micro leak in 1978 that was so small it was never found, and a nitrogen gas leak in 1982.[2]
Rapsodie is currently in Stage 2 decommissioning.
See also
- Fast neutron reactor
References
[ ⚑ ] 43°40′36″N 5°46′22″E / 43.6766°N 5.7727°E
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