Safety Design Study of Fast Breeder Reactors in Japan

Two fast breeder reactor (FBR) concepts, the tank type and the loop type, have been studied as possible reactor designs to be used for a demonstration FBR (DFBR). The basic principle of the DFBR design is to ensure plant safety through a defense-in-depth methodology. Improvements in the seismic and thermal stress designs have been attempted for both reactor concepts. The system design study strives to maximize the reliability of the safety-related systems and to rationalize commercialization of the plant.