Sodium valve test facility description

The three main plants for sodium valve testing are: (1) One ''valve loop'', operational, at the Centre des Renardieres (Electricite de France), for testing devices up to 500 mm in diameter; (2) One testing plant, under construction, at the Centre de Cadarache (Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique) including two test sections, one up to 100 mm and the other up to 300 mm in diameter; and (3) One ''large valve'' test facility, being studied at the Centre des Renardieres (EDF), designed for testing valves in the range of 700 to 1200 mm in diameter. Besides these three plants, some auxiliary facilities allow the adjustment of valve components. Finally, several water test facilities permit hydraulic testing, at Chatou and Gennevilliers (EDF) and at Nantes (Centre Technique des Industries Mecaniques). (U.S.)