Safety aspects of new LMFBR designs in Europe

The licensing and start up of the Creys Malville 1200 MWe LMFBR (SPX1) and the safety analysis performed on the other European projects (SPX2, SNR2, CDFR) form a sound basis for the safety approach of the new European Fast Reactor (EFR) project. Prevention of whole core accidents, development of passive safety features taking benefits of the specific characteristics of pool type LMFBR, consistency in the containment strength to avoid weak point and cliff edge effects, allowance for adaptation to different national licensing procedures without major design differences in the NSSS, are some of the main safety orientations of the EFR project. Further studies will allow to present some options, for example concerning the containment (e.g. hung or anchored safety vessel) or the decay heat removal systems (probabilistic assessment). However, previous studies give assurance that, in all case, design solutions already developed or under development, are able to satisfy stringent safety requirements. (author). 1 tab