The propulsion reactors for French submarines are all types of PWR. They belong to three generations, each is, or was, represented by a prototype on land at Cadarache. A fourth is in the planning stage.

The prototype is the Prototype à terre (Prototype on land, PAT). The main components are joined by pipes forming loops through which pumps force cooling water to circulate. The missile-launching submarines of the type Redoutable are equipped with reactors with loops.

The precursor is the Chaufferie avancée prototype (Advanced propulsion prototype, CAP). This reactor, developed by Technicatome, integrates the vessel cover and the steam generator. Natural circulation is responsible for the cooling of the core. Attack submarines of the Rubis type are equipped with this type of reactor.

The prototype is the Réacteur nouvelle génération (RNG), which incorporates a part of CAP, partially dismantled. This reactor is of the compact type but more powerful than reactors of the second generation. Le Triomphant and Le Téméraire, missile launching submarines of the new generation are powered by this reactor as is the aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle, with two reactors of the type in adapted form [CEARa 93 and 94].

The CEA is designing a new prototype on land, named at present simply le réacteur d’essais à terre (RES).

V.E. Wastes

Submarines like all the other pressurized water reactors, generate radioactive wastes such as ion exchange resins used for the decontamination of the reactors’ primary coolant, this water after filtration, and the wastes resulting from maintenance operations. Irradiated fuel that has not been reprocessed and that is destined to remain for a long time in the Cascad storage installation at Cadarache, should also be considered as waste [see CDRPC 94].