Applicability of Small Fast Reactor "4S" for Oil Sands Recovery

Abstract

“4S” (Super-Safe, Small and Simple) is a small-sized sodium cooled reactor with a reflector-controlled long life core. The concept for a steam production plant consisting of the 4S with a thermal rating of 135 MWt for a typical SAGD (Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage) plant has been established. The 4S, provided for oil sands recovery, will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and has applicability to an oil sands plant. The burden for development and licensing will be reduced in tie-ups with the development and licensing program for the 4S with a thermal rating of 30MWt which is now in the process of pre-application review with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.