Technical specifications of BN-1200, sodium cooled fast reactors have been developed by Russia’s Afrikantov Experimental Design Bureau for Mechanical Engineering (OKBM). The proposed reactor is considered to be of generation IV, for being more efficient, safe and environment friendly.
Based on long experimental studies and calculations OKBM has developed technical specifications of primary site, housing the reactor and the secondary non-nuclear site, containing the turbine. Specifications of all systems and equipment have also been developed. An economic evaluation has been done as well.The technical specifications have been sent for review to The Technical Expert Committee of Joint Scientific and Technical Expert Council of Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear corporation and Rosenergoatom, nuclear power operating company of Russia.
Based on expert opinion and further research the final technical design of BN 1200 will be developed in 2015-16. If everything goes well, Russia will start setting up the 1st reactor at Beloyarsk NPP site by 2020, which will be followed by new reactors at South Ural. Russia plans to generate of 11Gwe of electricity from 8 BN-1200 reactors by 2030.
BN 1200 is a Generation IV breeder fast neutron breeder reactor, uses liquid sodium as coolant, functions at a lower pressure and temperature. Fast neutron reactors can use wide range of fuels, produces more fissile materials than consumes and having closed fuel cycle, making them more energy efficient and environment friendly.
Russia is the only country in the world using fast neutron reactors industrially and presently has BN 600 and BN 800 reactors in operation. – Triune press release
