Concluding remarks

Abstract

Over the past two days we have been taking stock of the overall position as regards the development of fast reactors in Europe, the U. S. S. R., the U. S. A, and Japan. I am sure we can agree that collectively we have made good technical progress with the development of this major source of electrical power for the next century. In Europe, we have two large prototypes operating, Phénix and PER. We also have a 1200 MW e demonstration reactor (Superphenix), which is now continuing with its commissioning programme after the interruption caused by the leak from the fuel storage vessel. The Soviet Union is pressing ahead with its program m e; in the U. S. A. FFTF has given outstanding reliability and in Jap an the construction of Monju is going well and is on schedule for criticality in 1992. O f course there are a number of possible realizations of the sodium-cooled fast reactor concept. We have had in this conference some muted debates about the merits of pool versus loop, oxide versus metal fuel, large versus small modular and the possibilities of eliminating the secondary sodium circuit. But we can all probably agree that the pool mixed-oxide fuelled design is one realization which has now reached an advanced state of development, certainly the pre-commercial stage.