LMFBR safety testing needs and the conceptual design of a new safety research experiment facility

A substantial fraction of the US LMFBR safety program is devoted to in-pile testing. Recognition of this has led to continuing studies of the need for new facilities. Based on these studies, ANL is currently engaged in the conceptual design of a new safety testing facility. The need for and the conceptual design of this facility is presented. The study program for in-pile tests considered the following questions: (1) What are the key safety issues that require in-pile testing to be resolved: (2) What types of in-pile experiments are needed to address the key safety issues: (3) What facility functional requirements (e.g. scale, energy requirements, power flatness, etc.) are necessary: (4) What reactor concepts will meet the experimental needs. These studies concluded that new facility capability would be required. This new capability would include testing fuel arrays up to full subassembly size (and possibly larger). A comprehensive screening and evaluation of test reactor concepts was performed to identify the generic types of reactors, and specific concepts within each type which could meet the experimental needs. (Auth.)