Jules Horowitz Reactor

Jules Horowitz Reactor. The Jules Horowitz Reactor is a major international nuclear research infrastructure under construction at the Cadarache research center in southern France. Designed as a modern Material Testing Reactor (MTR), it is intended to become a leading facility for studying nuclear fuel and material behavior under intense radiation. Named after the prominent French nuclear physicist Jules Horowitz, the project is spearheaded by the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) with broad international partnership.

Overview

The facility represents a cornerstone of European and global nuclear research, designed to succeed aging reactors like the OSIRIS reactor at the CEA Saclay center. Its primary mission is to support the existing nuclear power fleet, develop fuels for Generation IV reactor concepts, and advance nuclear medicine through radioisotope production. The project is a key component of the European Sustainable Nuclear Industrial Initiative (ESNII) and is recognized as a strategic priority within the European Union's research infrastructure roadmap. Upon completion, it will serve as a critical tool for nuclear safety research, providing essential data for regulators like the Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Design and specifications

The reactor is a light-water cooled, moderated, and reflected pool-type design with a nominal thermal power of 100 MW. It features a compact core with a very high fast neutron flux, exceeding 5.5x10¹⁴ n/cm²/s, enabling accelerated material irradiation studies. Key design elements include advanced experimental devices such as the MADISON pressurised water loop and the ADELINE PWR-type loop, which can replicate the exact conditions of commercial power reactors like those operated by Électricité de France (EDF). The containment building and safety systems are designed to meet stringent post-Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster standards, incorporating robust seismic qualifications for the Provence region.

Research objectives and capabilities

Its experimental capabilities are focused on three main axes: fuel performance and safety for current PWRs and future systems like Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors; material ageing and irradiation embrittlement studies for reactor pressure vessels and internal components; and large-scale production of medical radioisotopes, notably Molybdenum-99, to complement supply from reactors like the BR2 reactor in Belgium and the HFR Petten in the Netherlands. The reactor will also support research into nuclear transmutation of minor actinides and the development of advanced instrumentation through collaborations with institutes like the Joint Research Centre (JRC).

Construction and timeline

Construction began in 2007 at the Cadarache site, following a foundation stone ceremony attended by then-President Jacques Chirac. Major civil works, led by a consortium including VINCI and Bouygues, were completed by 2014. The assembly of the reactor block and installation of primary circuit components by TechnicAtome followed. The project has faced significant delays and cost overruns, with initial commissioning planned for 2014 pushed back repeatedly due to technical complexities and stringent regulatory reviews by the Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire (ASN). As of 2024, the reactor is in its final commissioning phase, with criticality expected in the coming years.

International collaboration and funding

The project is funded through a unique international consortium model coordinated by the CEA. The founding members include Électricité de France (EDF), the European Commission via the Euratom Research and Training Programme, and nuclear research organizations from several countries: Belgium (SCK CEN), the Czech Republic (ÚJV Řež), Finland (VTT), Spain (CIEMAT), and India (DAE/BARC). Additional partners include Japan (JAEA), the United Kingdom (National Nuclear Laboratory), and Sweden (Studsvik). This collaboration ensures shared access to experimental capacity and distributes the estimated total project cost, which is over one billion euros. Category:Nuclear research reactors Category:Buildings and structures in Bouches-du-Rhône Category:Research institutes in France