EDN: CTMVUU
Authors & Affiliations
Kononyuk M.Kh., Legkikh K.G., Smykov V.B.
A.I. Leypunsky Institute for Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk, Russia
Kononyuk M.Kh. – Chief Specialist of Department 77.
Legkikh K.G. – Lead Chemical Engineer. Contacts: 1, Bondarenko Square, Obninsk, Kaluga Region, 249033. Tel.: +7 (484) 399-82-59; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Smykov V.B. – Deputy Head of Department 77, Cand. Sci. (Tech.).
Abstract
For fast neutron reactors, the final shutdown period is complicated and lengthened due to the need for the safest possible handling of spent radioactive (according to 137Cs) alkaline coolants, which, in addition to radioactivity, are fire-explosive substances unlike other coolants. A separate task is the decommissioning of research facilities with an alkaline heat carrier. Due to the specifics of the operation of such installations, “atypical” RAW materials are accumulated by the decommissioning stage, requiring special processing methods. If there are no safe technologies for processing and conditioning alkaline heat carriers, then a nuclear power plant with a fast reactor becomes a “nuclear legacy” for three centuries, which contradicts the current legislation of the Russian Federation in the field of atomic energy.
It is proposed to consider the solution of the tasks set using the example of the BR-10 research reactor. During the years of operation on the BR-10 IR (from 1959 to 2002), approximately 18–19 m3 of alkali metal (Na, Na-K alloy with mercury admixture) was accumulated, which was used as a liquid metal coolant in 1 and 2 reactor circuits. For the processing of the accumulated SMT, a method was developed for converting the alkali metal into a fire-explosion-proof state by solid-phase oxidation with the use of copper smelting slag. For the processing of alkali metal contaminated with mercury, it was proposed to supplement the method of gas-phase oxidation with a sorption filter.
Keywords
fast neutron reactors, BR-10 IR, BN type RU, alkali metals, neutralization, gas-phase oxidation, mercury, sorption, pyrolusite
Article Text (PDF, in Russian)
References
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UDC 621.181.6
Problems of Atomic Science and Technology. Series: Nuclear and Reactor Constants, 2023, no. 2, 2:20
