Phénix, nuclear power plant
Phénix is a sodium-cooled fast reactor at the Marcoule nuclear site in Chusclan. The pool design uses liquid sodium for heat transfer and achieved a thermal output of about 590 megawatts.
Construction began in late 1968 and the reactor connected to the French power grid in December 1973. The project aimed to advance France's fuel cycle and operated on highly enriched plutonium.
The site is now in the decommissioning phase and is not open to the public. Information about fast breeder technology is available through nearby research centers and educational programs.
The reactor had to be shut down every two months for refueling, which required careful planning. During the 2000s it was mainly used for research on transmuting nuclear waste.
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