Studying the Behavior of the French Reactor Fuel Assembly

The RSE NNC RK, in cooperation with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), is implementing the SAIGA Project. The objective is to investigate behavior of a fuel assembly of the French fast neutron reactor ASTRID in a severe accident.

A unique experiment with partial melting of the fuel assembly is being prepared for implementation in the IGR reactor. The NNC RK is designing a complex in-pile experimental device and a sodium loop circuit, specifically for this experiment.

To date, a number of preparatory activities have been successfully completed within the Project. This year it is planned to arrange and conduct acceptance tests of the sodium loop circuit, manufacture parts and assembly units of the in-pile experimental device, and install it. The experiment is scheduled for the second half of 2025.