Russia’s Mining and Chemical Combine (GKhK – Gorno Khimicheskii Kombinat), in Zheleznogorsk, Krasnoyarsk (part of Rosatom’s Environmental Solutions Division) has begun loading used nuclear fuel from RBMK-1000 reactors into building 3 of the dry storage complex.
The centralised dry storage facility was built at GKhK in 2015. It includes three buildings, two of which began receiving used nuclear fuel from RBMK-1000 and VVER-1000 reactors after commissioning. The transfer of used fuel from RBMK-1000 reactors to Building 3 began in March when a container with used fuel from the Leningrad NPP was loaded into the storage.
Russia’s dry storage facilities are built of monolithic reinforced concrete. The single frame of the building provides a high level of seismic stability. In addition, the storage complex is as autonomous as possible and operates on the principle of passive safety.
“The storage is a series of reinforced concrete chambers with storage nests designed to accommodate containers with used fuel,” explainedNikolay Shelest, head of the workshop 3 for dry storage at the fuel regeneration plant. “Outside air enters the cooling chambers through intake shafts from the chamber area, and passes through the perforated bottom of the chambers with an upward flow, cooling the sealed used fuel nests, after which it exits through exhaust shafts. This process ensures the natural and continuous movement of air without human intervention.
The preparation of Building 3 for operation started in 2022. In 2023 and 2024, a complete revision of the equipment was carried out including inspection and testing. A package of documents was prepared and permission obtained from Rosatom to load nuclear material.
The dry storage facilities receive used from the Leningrad, Kursk and Smolensk NPPs, following a period in used fuel pools. Used fuel reloading operations are performed remotely. According to the design used fuel can be stored in dry storage for at least 50 years, during which a decision will be made on its processing.
