THE French fast-breeder nuclear reactor Phenix has followed the fate
of France’s only other fast-breeder, Superphenix, and been shut down after
a technical problem.
In what appears to be a repeat of an incident which kept Phenix closed
for repairs for several months last year, a bubble of the inert gas argon
is thought to have found its way into the heart of the reactor, causing
a sudden drop in energy output and raising yet more questions about the
future of France’s fast-breeders.
