13 Mar (NucNet): The MBIR multipurpose fast neutron research reactor in Russia is scheduled to begin operation in 2024, a report for the regional legislative assembly says, according to media reports.
Earlier reports had said the plant would be commissioned by 2022. No reason has been given for the delay, but state nuclear corporation Rosatom said it is completing the shipment of major components for the nuclear reactor building. Work on assembling the reactor pressure vessel is also scheduled for this year.
According to Rosatom, the MBIR will be the most powerful research reactor in the world with 150 MW of thermal capacity. It is under construction at the Research Institute of Atomic Reactors (NIIAR) site at Dimitrovgrad in the Ulyanovsk region of western Russia.
The MBIR will primarily use sodium as a coolant and vibro-packed mixed-oxide (VMOX) fuel. VMOX is a Russian variant of MOX fuel in which blended uranium-plutonium oxide powders and fresh uranium-oxide powder are loaded directly into the cladding tube of the fuel assembly instead of first being manufactured into pellets.
The MBIR will be used for the development of materials for Generation IV fast neutron reactors. Scientists will use it to carry out experiments on the operating parameters of core components under normal and emergency conditions when using sodium, lead, lead-bismuth, gaseous and molten salt coolants.
