Rapsodie
Rapsodie was an experimental nuclear reactor built in Cadarache in France.
It was France's first fast reactor, and first achieved criticality in 1967. Rapsodie was a sodium-cooled fast neutron loop-type reactor with a thermal output of 40MW and no electrical generation facilities, and closed in 1983.
Rapsodie was operated in conditions considered representative of a commercial plant in terms of temperatures and neutron flux, and served to prove many elements used in later, larger, breeder reactors.
Rapsodie operated for 15 years, and suffered two leaks, a sodium micro leak in 1978 that was so small it was never found, and a nitrogen gas leak in 1982.
Rapsodie is currently in Stage 2 decommissioning.
