The contribution of Italian industry to the development of reactor components and fuel-handling systems of fast reactors

This paper deals with the principal activities carried on by Italian industry concerning in-core structures, core facilities and fuel-handling systems. In particular the following items are described: (1) the PEC reactor central experimental zone equipment (test channel), whose design is in progress at NIRA. The component will be made by FIAT, who now have a full-size model under construction; (2) The core support structures for Super-Phenix 1, which will be constructed by BREDA. Design is now in progress at NIRA. (3) The out-of-core fuel-handling system of PEC, delegated to SNIA-TECHINT, who have now completed the feasibility studies and are proceeding to construction plans. (4) The parts of the primary fuel-handling system for Super-Phenix 1, i.e. charging and discharging machines and the straight-pull machine, designed and made by NIRA and CMI. (author)