Sodium technology in LMFBRs and its needs for future research from the viewpoint of material and chemistry

The FBR is the most practical means of utilizing the uranium resources as effectively as possible. The condition of first priority for the realization of this type of reactor is to make it competitive with LWRs. It is necessary to improve its economy with a guarantee that its level of safety is not lower than that of LWRs. For this purpose, further upgrading of FBR performance so far established and the application of innovative technology are required. Main tasks to be undertaken in the field of materials and chemistry of sodium technology can be summarized as follows: - Further improvement of computer codes by detailed experiments and completion of data base systems. These are generally desirable in all fields so far established. - Standardization of sensors or processes of instrumentation (for example, purity measurements). - Contribution of knowledge on sodium technology to a rational basis for safety standards for FBRs. - Identifying problems which may cause possible difficulty during plant life in long-term service, and pursuing R and D programs to solve them. - The application of innovative sodium technology to FBR