A problem of fast neutron reactors was discussed several times in the Russian Government during the last week. Generally agreed with the importance of this direction, authorities and departments have had contradictions in details.
Russian Prime minister Vladimir Putin, his speech in Elektrostal.
Besides, in the medium-term outlook transition to the new level of technologies is needed. I'm speaking about the closed nuclear fuel cycle and creation of the commercial fast neutron reactor. A special program "Nuclear energy technologies of the new generation" has to be applied to solve this task. It should be elaborated to the November of this year.
Project "Conception - 2020", prepared by the Ministry of the economic development of Russian Federation.
…phased transition, beginning from 2020, to the new technological platform on the base of fast neutron reactors and a closed fuel cycle.
It is evident that the Prime minister was more radical in his speech. Putin hopes to see the commercial fast neutron reactor in the medium-term period, but the report of the ministry authorities provides only "step-by-step" transition and beginning from 2020.
If we will take as a reference point the words of Vladimir Putin, direction of the activities in the sphere of the fast nuclear energy would be distinctly defined. BN-K will become the commercial reactor in this case without any other alternative. It would be unreal to develop any other project to its commercial state in such a short term. "Conception-2020", being a counterbalance to the declaration of the Prime minister, will maintain some chances for BREST reactors.
Some experts have already equated BN with the commercial reactor of the future. But the question is - what will be taken into account - words of the Prime minister or documentation of the ministry?
Nor Putin, neither Ministry of economic development gave no comments about the set of the characteristics that will make a concrete project of the fast reactor commercial and how should it be implemented. One the questions that still remain unanswered - if this reactor doesn't yield to light-water reactors from the economical point of view - what is the reason to plan building tens of VVER "NPP-2006" reactors? Other things being equal, breeders that minimize the problem of uranium recourses should be chosen.
Prime minister and the ministry have found one more point of contact. They seem not to consider the problem of collected spent fuel in the country as critical. Proposals that sound at different forums about the rapid construction of BN-800 small series for servicing of the operating VVERs have not found reflection in the words of the government. But may be something will change after the adoption of the Federal Special Program?
SOURCE: Vladimir Rychin, AtomInfo.Ru
DATE: August 21, 2008
Topics: Russia