Superphénix 1 at Creys-Malville: Overall Nuclear Steam Supply System Coordination and Construction by Novatome-Nira

Abstract

By mid-1982, the construction of Superphenix, the fast breeder reactor designed to equip the CreysMalville plant near Lyons, France, was about 85% complete. This achievement has three key features: it is the world's first sodium-cooled fast breeder of this size; the plant design and construction were undertaken on an international basis, resulting from European cooperation in the field; and, despite the prototype character of the undertaking, the industrial structures set up are identical with those adopted for pressurized water reactor construction in France. The difficulties inherent in such a project stem mainly from the design and sizing of this type of nuclear steam supply system, and the organization of engineering and production work to strict requirements as to quality and deadlines. They were all solved by the prime contractor, Novatome-Nira, constantly relying on intensive research and development made both by private industry and by the state organizations concerned, Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique and Electricite de France, and on the stringent yet flexible coordination of the efforts of all concerned.