"Rosatom has begun a crucial phase of installation at the MBIR research reactor."

At the site of the Research Institute of Atomic Reactors, part of the scientific division of the state corporation "Rosatom," a significant phase has commenced — the installation of technological equipment for the primary coolant circuit and transport-technology systems of the MBIR. This is the largest multipurpose research reactor of the fourth generation utilizing fast neutrons in the world.

2024-12-24 10:01:09https://naked-science.ru/article/column/issledovatelskom-reaktore

The construction of the MBIR is one of the most significant long-term projects for the experimental base of the Russian nuclear industry. According to experts' forecasts, it will enable the country to maintain its leadership in the development of innovative nuclear technologies for the next 50 years.

The new reactor is expected to replace the currently operating BOR-60 research facility—a fast nuclear reactor with a capacity of 60 megawatts, built back in the late 1960s. The MBIR will provide the nuclear industry with a modern and technologically advanced research infrastructure for the next 50 years. The reactor will allow for an expansion in the study of two-component nuclear energy technologies and the closure of the fuel cycle, as well as accelerate and substantiate the creation of safe fourth-generation nuclear power plants.

Additionally, an international research center is already being established at the MBIR, which will include not only domestic but also foreign specialists. They will be able to conduct experiments necessary for the implementation of national programs aimed at the peaceful development of nuclear energy. Negotiations are currently underway with potential partners from the CIS countries and China.

So far, during the equipment installation process, two intermediate reactor heat exchangers, each weighing 38 tons, standing nine meters tall and measuring 2.5 meters in diameter, have been positioned in their project locations. The equipment has been installed on support rings with a deviation from the horizontal of no more than one millimeter per meter. The drums for both fresh and spent fuel assemblies have also been set in their project positions. Each of these installations weighs 16 tons.

The fresh assembly drum is necessary for heating the fuel assemblies (TVS) in an inert gas environment before they are placed in the reactor's active zone. The spent assembly drum is used for cooling the spent TVS that have been unloaded from the reactor, also in an inert gas environment. These drums are part of the so-called combined installation equipment. This means that their installation will allow for the concreting of an area of about 100 square meters in the central hall and the commencement of equipment installation at the +11.9-meter mark.

Among other tasks, work has already been carried out in the reactor block to decommission and tilt the active zone basket of the MBIR. The cradle with the basket has been set up in the central hall at the +13.2-meter mark, and preparations are underway for welding the fuel collection device (“melt traps”).

According to a report from the Rosatom press service, all activities at the construction site are proceeding in full accordance with the project implementation schedule.