We introduce a research and development facility in Tsurusoken.

Sodium Engineering Research Facility (SERF)

SERF was established in Shiraki, Tsuruga City, adjacent to Monju, as this facility for research and development related to sodium for the practical application of fast reactors. This facility was opened in June 2015.

At this facility, we develop the technology necessary for advancement of sodium handling technology and decommissioning of "Monju".

We introduce the equipment of Sodium Engineering Research Facility.

Loop Test Equipment for Maintenance Technology Development

Loop Test Equipment for Maintenance Technology Development is capable of heating approximately 5.5 tons of sodium up to 550°C and is possible to develop maintenance technology on a scale similar to the actual components by using a vertical tank with a depth of 7m and a horizontal tank with a diameter of 1.5m.

Study example

• Technology development of inspection and repair for sodium wetted equipment
• Technology development for plant monitoring
• Technology development of sodium instrumentation

Multi-Purpose Sodium Cell Test Equipment

Multi-Purpose Sodium Cell Test Equipment is possible to perform operation and durability tests of equipment in a high temperature environment, and element tests involving sodium leakage and combustion using a rectangular general-purpose cell that can heat an atmosphere of about 20㎥ up to 240°C and a cylindrical steel cell with pressure resistance.

Study example

• Sodium-concrete reaction test
• Heat resistance test for inspection robots
• Sodium-hydrogen jet combustion experiment

Glove Box for Maintenance Technology Tests

Glove Box for Maintenance Technology Tests contains a sodium vessel that can heat 30L of sodium up to 400°C, and is capable of relatively small-scale basic tests in an atmosphere that is not affected by oxygen and humidity.

Study example

• Visualization in sodium / loose parts recovery test
• Study on optical characteristics of sodium using extreme ultraviolet light

Coolant System Simulation Loop

Coolant System Simulation Loop simulates each system of an actual plant (the primary and secondary sodium cooling systems, the cover gas systems and the water-steam system) of Monju, and it is possible to test the transport behavior between these systems.

Study example

• Study on transport behavior of hydrogen and tritium simulating a plant