Operating experience with experimental breeder reactor-II (EBR-II)

As originally designed and operated, EBR-II successfully demonstrated the concept of a sodium-cooled fast breeder power plant with a closed fuel reprocessing cycle (mini-nuclear park). Subsequent operation has been as a test and fuel irradiation facility, a role which will continue into the foreseeable future. Since 1961, the operating experience of EBR-II has been very satisfactory. Most of the components and systems have performed well. In particular, the mechanical performance of heat-removal systems has been excellent. A review of the operating experience reveals that all the original design objectives have been successfully demonstrated. To date, no failures or incidents have occurred where serious in-core or out-of-core consequences have resulted. No water-to-sodium leaks have been detected over the life of the plant. At the present time, the facility is operating very well and continuously except for short shutdowns required by maintenance, refueling, modification and minor repair. A plant factor of 66.1 percent was achieved for the calendar year 1975