A prototype of the main circulating pump (MCP) unit for the Brest-OD-300 reactor plant has been delivered to the site of the pilot demonstration power complex (ODEK) at Russia’s Siberian Chemical Combine (SCC - part of Rosatom’s Fuel Company TVEL) in Seversk, Tomsk Region.
The Brest fast neutron reactor is part of the ODEK facility which SCC has been responsible for implementing since 2011 the as part of the Breakthrough (Proryv) project intended to demonstrate closed fuel cycle technology. ODEK will include a module for fabrication and refabrication of nuclear fuel and a module for reprocessing irradiated fuel as well as the Brest reactor.
The MCP unit will be used to pump molten lead with a temperature of over 420 degrees Celsius, which will serve as coolant for the reactor.
It was developed and manufactured by the Central Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering (TsKBM, part of Rosatom’s mechanical engineering division). The Brest-OD-300 will be the world’s first reactor to use liquid lead as a coolant.
The prototype has been placed at the acceptance test stand, where the pressure and flow characteristics of the pump will be tested during 2023. Based on the test results, and after any necessary design improvements, four pumping units will be manufactured for the reactor. A number of research and experimental issues were solved it develop the MCP unit, including development of new special high-alloy steels and ceramic materials. Assembly of the unit at the test bench will be supervised by the specialists of the NA Dollezhal Scientific Research & Design Institute of Power Engineering (JSC Nikiet).
Image courtesy of Rosatom
