Review on Development of Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor Worldwide

Fast reactors focus on the goal of efficient utilization of uranium and the minimization of radioactive waste, which is an advanced stage in the development of nuclear energy. Therefore, three of the six reactor concepts for generation-Ⅳ nuclear energy systems are fast reactors. Through decades of development around the world, sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFR) have completely developed through experimental, prototype, and demonstration reactors’ stage, solving technical and engineering system problems systematically, and towards the commercialization stage. The promotion of fast reactors will break the limitation of nuclear energy, and the use of ²³⁸U will make the total resource of nuclear energy reach 5.6 times the sum of all fossil fuels, which can solve global energy problems on a millennium scale. Meanwhile, the promotion of fast reactors will also play a key role in establishing a clean energy system and the achievement of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. This paper provides an overview of the development of fast reactors worldwide, highlighting the technical challenges and breakthroughs of fast reactors in terms of safety, sustainability, economy, and the establishment of nuclear fuel cycle systems. It also points out the development trends of fast reactors in the future.