First elements of reactor shell delivered to the construction site of BN-800 unit of Beloyarsk NPP

20.12.2007 // Nuclear.ru

The first elements of the reactor shell have been delivered to the construction site of BN-800 units of Beloyarsk NPP

The first elements of the BN-800 reactor of Beloyarsk NPP — sectors and units of the shell — have been delivered to the construction site.

The length of the units is over 7 meters, the total weight – 127 tons. The shell of the BN-800 reactor is a complex cylinder-shaped metal structure with dish-type bottom and conical roof. The assembly of the reactor will take two years.    

The first large-size equipment was installed at BN-800 unit on Dec 5 2007: two natrium tanks of the primary circuit. It was a unique event for the nuclear power industry of Russia – as natrium coolant is used only at BN fast-breeder reactors.

The tanks are very large: 15 meters long, 4 meters in diameter and weight 54 tons. They were delivered to the site by a 60-tons tow truck and mounted by a 160-ton crane. The work was carried out by Atomenergomontazh company.

The tanks receive natrium and supply it to the reactor.

The reactor shell and reactor equipment is to be supplied by ZiO-Podolsk by 2010. The launch is scheduled for 2012. After launch the new reactor, together with the existing BN-600 reactor, will be included in the new plutonium disposal plan approved by Russia and the United States on Nov 19 2007 and will use MOX-fuel.