The foundation slab for Russia’s innovative fast neutron reactor Brest-OD-300 has been completed at the Siberian Chemical Combine in Seversk.
The reactor is part of the pilot demonstration energy complex (ODEK), being built by Rosatom under Russia’s Proryv (Breakthrough) project.
The complex, when completed will comprise a fuel fabrication-refabrication module (MFR) producing mixed uranium-plutonium nitride (MNUP) fuel, and a used fuel reprocessing module, as well as the Brest-OD-300, which is a lead-cooled fast neutron reactor.
The purpose of ODEK is to demonstrate the closed fuel cycle with a fast neutron reactor supported by fuel fabrication and recycling on a single site.
The base plate for the reactor consists of nine separate blocks, its size is 90 by 82 metres, the thickness is 2.5 metres. The work is being carried out by the general contractor for the construction of the Brest reactor, Concern Titan-2. Scientific support for the reactor concreting process was carried out by the Research Institute of Reinforced Concrete Structures (St Petersburg).
Ioann Averyanov, head of a separate division of Titan-2, said that almost 19,000 cubic metres of concrete, 4,300 tons of reinforcement were laid in the foundation slab of the nuclear island - enough to support construction of two eight-storey houses. The builders worked around the clock.
Alexander Gusev, SCC Deputy Director General and Director for Construction of ODEK, noted that the strength of the plate for the reactor is significantly greater than for standard reactors. The concreting of the foundation of the reactor plant was preceded by research work, the properties of concrete were thoroughly studied, which were required to ensure the required quality. In May 2021, before the first concrete was poured, a model of the foundation slab was created, where experts tested the quality of the joints between the concrete blocks. With the foundation slab at minus 6.4 metres, the builders have now begun to erect the outer walls. Rosatom has said that completion of the reactor is scheduled for 2026.
Photo: BREST OD fast reactor (Photo: Rosatom)
