Fast Reactors and Accelerator Driven Systems Knowledge Base

Conference Article: Operational experience of BN-350

Abstract

The BN-350 is a fast breeder reactor located in Aktau, Kazakstan on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea. The reactor began operation in 1972. It operated on an open uranium fuel cycle optimized to produce plutonium for the USSR weapons complex and generated steam for electricity, heat and seawater desalination. The reactor was in operation until April 1999 when decision for final shutdown had been taken by Government. In this report the operational experience is considered for the following equipment that directly contacts the liquid metal coolant: - The main circulation pumps of primary circuit. - Leakage hold-up tank for the main circulation pump of loop No 4. - Non-return valves. - Steam generator superheaters for design steam generators. - Cold filter-trap of the primary circuit purification system. - Drum for spent fuel assemblies. All the above listed equipment is selected from the point of view of occurrence the technical problems during both the commissioning works and operation of the equipment. The ways are indicated in the report how these problems have been solved. (author)

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Reference:

Proceedings of a Technical Meeting held in Cadarache, France 11-15 March 2002

International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)

IAEA-TECDOC--1405, pp:63-81