Fast-neutron reactor

The BN (Russian реактор на быстрых нейтронах Bystrie Neytrony ) is a sodium cooled breeder reactor performance of different versions of the Russian company OKBM.

BN -350

The first BN reactor with the type designation BN -350 (then USSR) put into operation in 1973 at the nuclear power plant Aktau.

BN -600

The BN -600 is a further development of the BN 350th The reactor was installed in the nuclear power plant Beloyarskaya. The capacity is 600 MW and 560 MW gross net. The reactor has been built differently than the BN -350 in pool construction and is one of the more advanced breeder reactors. The reactor in Beloyarskaya has no containment. Originally China was planning to start with the help of Russia until 2010 the construction of a BN -600. Due to delays in the price negotiations, the start of construction is now expected for 2013.

BN -800

The BN -800 is a further development of the BN 600th It is also built in pool construction. There is still no reactor of this type in operation. In Beloyarskaya began in 2006 with the construction of a BN- 800, which in 2014 to begin commercial power operation. On 7 December 2007, the first two sodium tanks were installed and filled. The tanks have a length of 15 m, a diameter of 4 meters and weigh 54 tons. The BN -800 is similar to its predecessor, however, constructed in larger version.

Security

The BN series has compared to other reactor series some disadvantages:

• Sodium has the property of certain alloying elements in a steel " wash " and to deposit it at cold spots in the pipe system again. This corrosion results in the reduction of the wall thickness.
• Sodium reacts with atmospheric moisture or water to caustic soda and hydrogen. The hydrogen formed can react explosively. It is therefore necessary to take appropriate safety measures.
• The melting point of sodium is at atmospheric pressure at 98 ° C. The system therefore must be constantly maintained at temperature even at standstill of the reactor. The reactor vessel itself, however, sufficiently heated by the decay heat of the fuel elements.