Irradiation tests for the development of FBR in Joyo

「常陽」におけるFBR開発のための照射試験

前田 幸基; 伊藤 主税   ; 曽我 知則 

Maeda, Yukimoto; Ito, Chikara; Soga, Tomonori

高速実験炉「常陽」は日本で最初に建設された高速増殖炉である。「常陽」は1977年の初臨界以来、順調に運転されてきており、1982年には照射試験用のMK-II炉心に改造され、高速原型炉「もんじゅ」や後続炉のための種々の照射試験が実施された。2003年には照射試験能力を向上させるため、より高性能なMK-III炉心への改造が行われ、MA含有MOX燃料の照射試験やODS鋼の照射試験等が行われた。これらの成果は、FaCTプロジェクトをはじめGEN-IV等の国際協力にも活用される。今後も「常陽」は世界でも数少ない高速中性子照射炉として高速増殖炉開発に貢献していく。

The experimental fast reactor Joyo is the first sodium cooled fast reactor in Japan. Irradiation tests in Joyo were commenced from 1983 after the completion of core conversion work from the MK-I breeder core to the MK-II irradiation test bed core. Many valuable irradiation tests were carried out to develop fuels and materials for the prototype fast reactor Monju and a demonstration fast reactor. After the 35 duty cycles operation by the MK-II core, Joyo was upgraded to the high performance MK-III core to increase irradiation capability in 2003. Unique irradiation tests for the FaCT project such as MA bearing MOX fuel and ODS ferritic steel were carried out in the MK-III core. In light of the shutdown of several fast reactors around the world, the ability to make such major contributions to reactor development takes on even greater significance. Irradiation tests in Joyo contribute to the FaCT project, and also to promote the international cooperation such as Generation-IV.