The unit for fabrication/refabrication pf nuclear fuel for the innovative BREST-OD-300 fast neutron reactor was put into pilot operation in Seversk, Tomsk Region, West Siberia. It is the first of the three facilities of the unique Generation IV Pilot Demonstration Energy Complex (PDEC), which is under construction as part of the strategic project “Proryv” (of “the Breakthrough”) on site of the Siberian Chemical Combine (an enterprise of Rosatom’s Fuel Division).
The cutting-edge fully automated facility has already successfully manufactured the first mockup fuel bundles of the BREST-OD-300 core design with depleted uranium nitride fuel pellets. All production sites of the new facility have undergone comprehensive testing. The fuel fabrication facility includes four production sites: carbothermal synthesis of mixed uranium and plutonium nitrides, fabrication of fuel pellets, manufacturing of fuel elements, and assembly of complete fuel bundles. The staff personal of the facility will amount to 250 people.
Currently, the facility operators are mastering the technology and gaining experience in fabrication of BREST-OD-300 bundles with depleted uranium fuel matrix in compliance with with the current license of Rostechnadzor (the Russian industrial and nuclear regulator). After the regulator approves handling of plutonium, the Siberian engineers will be able to start production of the target product – mixed dense nitride uranium-plutonium fuel (or the MNUP fuel), which would enable to fully implement all the advantages of Russian IV generation fuel, reactor and radiochemical technologies. Prior to the initial core loading of the BREST-OD-300, more than 200 of MNUP fuel bundles are scheduled for fabrication.
“For this moment, Rosatom has the worlds furthest advancement the in development of Generation IV nuclear technologies. According to the IAEA classification, this implies higher efficiency in the use of fuel raw materials, increased safety standards for the operation of nuclear plants, as well as a significant reduction in the amount of nuclear waste generation. All these principles are fully consistent with the technological solutions adopted at the Pilot Demonstration Energy Complex, such as the fuel made of depleted uranium and plutonium, the BREST reactor facility based on the principles of natural safety, and the latest more efficient radiochemical technologies for irradiated fuel reprocessing,” commented Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom.
