The IAEA Coordinated Research Project on Sodium Properties and Safe Operation of Experimental Facilities in Support of the Development and Deployment of Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors (NAPRO)

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently established a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) on “Sodium Properties and Safe Operation of Experimental Facilities in Support of the Development and Deployment of Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors - NAPRO”, to be carried out in the period 2013 – 2017. Eleven institutions from ten Member States participate in this CRP. The complete scope of this CRP is covered by three work packages. A specific work package (WP1), under the coordination of ANL (USA), is focused on the compilation and expert assessment of data sets of Na physical and chemical properties, as well as correlations for pressure drops and heat transfer in Na facilities. A second work package (WP2), under the coordination of IPPE (Russian Federation), addresses the compilation, evaluation and development of best practices and guidelines for the design, operation and maintenance of Na facilities. Finally, Work Package 3 (WP3), coordinated by CEA (France), concentrates on the compilation and development of guidelines and rules for the safe operation of Na facilities, including the prevention, detection and mitigation of Na leaks and fires. Finally, this work presents some examples of the principal results obtained so far by WP 1.