CLOSING COMMENTS

Closing comments

by Mr. P. W. Mummery (UKAEA)

When I first accepted the invitation to close this conference my connection with the fast reactor was a little different to what it is now, but I do not think my views have changed as a result of this I certainly do not intend to talk about Dounreay or the Thurso conference or the Prototype Fast Reactor because Dr Edwards managed that so nicely under the guise of a paper on DFR Reactor Physics, If I may however, add to the opening speaker1s remarks about the inevitability of the large scale installation of fast reactors, I would point out that for this to be possible there must be a demonstration by large prototypes that the engineer ing problems can be solved, that reliable operation is achieved with good maintainability, and that there is an adequate understanding of all the relevant physical phenomena. For the scientist there is of course an intrinsic interest in the physical phenomena themselves and it is important that adequate resources are brought to bear to achieve that understanding, but this must be tempered by the requirement that the knowledge being gained is of scientific or of practical value.