The consequences of leak propagation and detection studies on the definition of the design basis accident for sodium-water steam generators

After a brief review of the safety strategy adopted in France for the steam generators in fast breeder reactors, the method used for confirming the choice of the Design Basis Accident is described. This method is supported primarily by experimental findings. The principal results of the self-evolution, impingement wastage, swelling and bursting are presented together with the results of the whipping and leak detection studies. The consequences of these studies on the DBA definition are discussed in the last paragraph. (author)