MONJU re-start and the result of core conformation test

Deshimaru, Takehide

The prototype fast breeder reactor (FBR) MONJU resumed the system startup test (SST) on May 6th 2010 after five months and fourteen years shutdown since the sodium leakage of the secondary heat transport system on December 1995. Core confirmation test (CCT) is the first step of SST which consists of three steps, and finished on July 22nd after 78 days test. CCT is composed 20 test items including confirmation of the safety criteria and measurement of several core performance data. Through CCT, were demonstrated the stable operation and the accuracy of the prediction on the core performance after long-term shutdown and refueling. The several core physics characteristic data especially by accumulated minor actinide americium-241 will be contributed to the research and development of FBR. And the operation and maintenance experiences gained in CCT are also very variable to development next FBR power plant.