PROBLEMS OF ATOMIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Series: Nuclear and Reactor Constants

since 1971

Русский (РФ)

ISSN 2414-1038 (online)

TOWARDS THE HISTORY OF THE CREATION OF THE BN-350, THE WORLD'S FIRST PILOT-INDUSTRIAL FAST NEUTRON POWER REACTOR: A CHRONICLE OF THE PREHISTORY OF LAUNCH

EDN: LFTCXB

Authors & Affiliations

Frolov Yu.V.
A.I. Leypunsky Institute for Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk, Russia

Frolov Yu.V. – Advisor to the Scientific Director. Contacts: 1, pl. Bondarenko, Obninsk, Kaluga region, Russia, 249033. Tel: +7 (910) 521-98-79; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Abstract

The history of the beginning of work in the Laboratory “V” (since 1960, the Institute for Physics and Power Engineering, IPPE) on the study of fast neutrons, initiated and ideologized by A.I. Leypunsky, is briefly described, the leading role of IPPE in the development of the foundations and creation of fast neutron nuclear power in the Soviet Union is noted, the article tells about the documents prepared by A.I. Leypunsky and directed to the leaders of the Soviet atomic project in 1949–1950 in which he justified the need to start work on a fast topic, the significance of the BR-2, BR-5, and BFS fast reactors and the first stands with circulating sodium and sodium-potassium alloy, built at Laboratory “V” in the period from 1955 to 1961 and played a crucial role in the creation of the world's first pilot-industrial fast-neuron reactor BN-350 is reflected. Without describing the details of the physical research carried out, the chronology of the research and development work carried out at IPPE can be traced from the first government decree on the construction of the BR-350, issued in 1960, to its physical launch in 1972. The article names, in addition to IPPE, organizations designated by government resolutions as the main executors of the BN-350 reactor and employees of IPPE who participated in the research, construction and commissioning of the BN-350 reactor in Shevchenko town, and the role of A.I. Leypunsky in choosing a sodium coolant for fast neutron power reactors is reflected.

Keywords
laboratory “V”, Institute of Physics and Power Engineering, IPPE, A.I. Leipunsky, BN-350 reactor, fast neutron reactor, BR-2, BR-5, BFS

Article Text (PDF, in Russian)

References

UDC 621.039

Problems of Atomic Science and Technology. Series: Nuclear and Reactor Constants, 2025, no. 2, 2:1