Russia’s Federal Service for Ecological, Technological & Nuclear Supervision (Rostekhnadzor) has authorised nuclear utility to operate unit 3 of the Beloyarsk NPP for an additional 15 years until 2040. This followed a comprehensive assessment of the technical condition units 600 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor.
The assessment was carried out by design and research organisations including OKBM Afrikantov, Atomenergoproekt, OKB Gidropress, All Russian Scientific & Research Institute for NPP Operation (VNIIAES) AI Leipunsky Institute of Physics & Power Engineering, Kurchatov Institute and Prometheus Central Research Institute of Structural Materials.
Earlier, Beloyarsk NPP conducted a survey of the state of non-replaceable parts: the hull and internal elements of the BN-600 reactor, the support belt, the supports of heat exchangers, etc. The analysis showed that they were capable of additional operation. Significant upgrading also took place including replacement of steam generator modules, the reactor circulation pumps and much more.
“Beloyarsk unit 3 is a key link for the future of nuclear energy. It was here that the first MOX fuel assemblies underwent industrial tests, and now new assemblies are in the core to confirm the high quality of fuel and materials for future Generation 4 reactors – the BN-1200M and BREST,” said Beloyarsk NPP Director Ivan Sidorov. “More important is the invaluable knowledge of our personnel obtained as a result of the reliable operation of our fast neutron reactors.
As well as the BN-600 sodium-cooled fast reactor at unit 3, which began operation in 1980, Beloyarsk NPP hosts the larger BN-800 (unit 4) sodium-cooled fast reactor, which began operation in 2015. Unit 5, under construction, will comprise a BN-1200M reactor – the world’s first 1,200 MWe sodium-cooled fast neutron power unit.
A lead-cooled fast reactor, the BREST-OD-300, is also under construction at the Siberian Chemical Combine in Tomsk reactor as part of a closed nuclear fuel cycle demonstration project.
