How to test behavior of a nuclear reactor in the event of an accident, without causing a catastrophe?

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Thanks to a unique CEA tool : the Cabri reactor.

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In nuclear jargon, we calls it “excursions of power ". In the room of control, engineers speak

rather “jumps”, a nod to Cabri (sheep) from which the reactor takes its name.

Installed within the CEA Cadarache center since 1963, the Cabri research reactor long used in tests for sodium-cooled fast neutrons reactors.

After a long phase of modification and upgrade, the reactor has started a new life in 2015.

Under the supervision of the French Institute of the Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety, the scientific program aims to study the behavior of fuel rods and cladding from the nuclear reactor during an accident of “reactivity” (when the nuclear reaction gets carried away). Enough to improve the safety of reactors, by bringing together multiple national and international partners.

To be continued….

?Full text in french?La Revue du CEA - n°3 winter 2024