A batch of large-sized products for Russia’s BREST-OD-300 reactor has been delivered to the construction site in the closed city of Seversk, Tomsk region. The Brest-OD-300 lead-cooled fast reactor is being built at the Siberian Chemical Combine (SKhK – Sibirskovo Khimicheskovo Kombinata) in Seversk, Tomsk region.
Brest (Bistrii Reaktor Estestvennoi-bezopasnosti co Svinstovim Teplonositelem – Fast Natural-safety Reactor with Lead Coolant) is part of the pilot demonstration power complex (ODEK – Opitno Demonstratsionovo Energo-Kompleksa), being built under the Breakthrough (Proryv) project intended to demonstrate closed fuel cycle technology. As well as Brest, ODEK also includes on-site nuclear fuel cycle facilities: a module for fabrication and refabrication (MFR-YaT – Modulya po Fabrikatsii/Refabrikatsii Yadernovo Tolpliva) and a module for reprocessing and recycling irradiated fuel.
The equipment includes a metal shell for the central cavity of the reactor installation; an internal casing for the core basket; and the first shell of the peripheral cavity (there are four such shells in total). The central cavity shell is designed to accommodate the core basket and install fuel assemblies. The peripheral shell will house the main circulation pump, two steam generators and a heat exchanger for the reactor’s emergency cooling system. The turbogenerator and the stator of the generator set was delivered to site in August.
Unlike traditional VVER light water reactors, the BREST-OD-300 reactor has an integrated layout. Its body is not an all-metal structure, like the VVER, but a metal-concrete structure, which has metal cavities for placing primary circuit equipment. During construction, the space between the cavities is gradually filled with concrete filler. In addition, the BREST-OD-300 body is larger. It can only be delivered in parts, and final assembly is only possible on the construction site.
Large cargo was transported over two months along rivers and the northern sea route. From the river port it was delivered to SkhK along a highway on a multi-axle platform using tractors. This made it possible to evenly distribute the load and minimise pressure on the road surface. To ensure safety and unhindered passage of special vehicles, power wires were temporarily lifted, and road signs were dismantled during the passage of the convoy.
“This year, the main elements of the BREST-OD-300 reactor will be installed in the design position, and the reactor will receive not only its shell in the form of walls, but also a metal body,” said Konstantin Izmestyev, SKhK Technical Director. Installation of the metal shell of the central cavity will begin shortly. Installation of the structure in its design position should be completed by the end of the year.
