Nearly 50 Years of Education and Training on the Operation and Dismantling of Sodium and Liquid Metals Facilities

The French sodium and liquid metals School was founded nearly 50 years ago within the CEA Cadarache to meet the training needs of French manufacturers in the sodium fast reactor sector.It subsequently opened up to foreign partners and manufacturers and extended its field of expertise to other liquid metals.Its mission is to ensure the training of CEA and external personnel in controlling the risk of sodium and other liquid metals, in the operation and maintenance of installations, and in the dismantling of devices containing sodium.Its objective is to ensure the transmission, maintenance and renewal of the skills of personnel working in the field of sodium and liquid metals.It is a major element in the sector for transmitting knowledge, know-how and interpersonal skills linked to the operation and dismantling of sodium facilities taking into account the knowledge and skills of its training leaders and lecturers.Recent changes in industrial needs have made it possible to offer training on other liquid metals in recent years.Other developments are planned to enable teaching on the operation and dismantling of facilities using advanced heat transfer fluids such as molten salts.