Overview of JAEA's R&D activities at Oarai Research and Development Center in Japan

日本原子力研究開発機構の大洗研究開発センターにおける研究開発活動の概要

鈴木 惣十

Suzuki, Soju

An overview of R&D activities at ORDC is introduced by three missions using Joyo, JMTR, HTTR and AtheNA. A large numbers of sodium experiments such as thermal transient tests and sodium-water reaction tests have been conducted for the FaCT project. In addition to existing sodium facilities, a large scale sodium test facility AtheNA is now under construction at ORDC, aiming to start a series of steam generator tests in the end of 2012 and sodium pump tests in 2015. JAEA owns and operates two different types of irradiation test reactors at ORDC. One is the experimental fast reactor Joyo, and the other is JMTR. Various irradiation tests are being conducted not only for FBR and fuel cycle development but also for LWR lifetime extension in these reactors, using associated Post Irradiation Examinations. A demonstration of innovative concepts and instrumentation techniques which will be employed in the Monju or JSFR are developed using Joyo. JAEA is operating HTTR at ORDC for HTGR technology development. The 950 C of outlet coolant helium temperature, which is the world highest record in the gas cooled reactors, was first achieved with the HTTR in April 2004 and furthermore 50-day full power operation with 950 C has been completed successfully in March 2010.