We have previously covered fast and molten salt reactors, and in particular, their use for the transmutation of minor actinides — highly radioactive, long-lived isotopes produced during the irradiation of nuclear fuel. This is what Rosatom is focusing on as part of its program to develop Generation IV systems. Now, we invite our readers to test their knowledge on this topic.
1. What distinguishes the Generation IV reactor systems being developed by Rosatom from other reactors and systems?
A) They operate exclusively on plutonium-239.
B) They supplement nuclear power plants with solar and wind energy.
C) They are designed with a focus on enhancing safety, closing the nuclear fuel cycle, reducing the volume of radioactive waste, and maximizing the use of energy contained in natural uranium.
D) They produce electricity, heat, commercial and medical isotopes, coolant, and fuel within a single industrial facility.
E) The reactor can use different types of fuel and different coolants.
2. What is the BREST-OD-300 reactor?
A) A water-cooled water-moderated thermal power reactor.
B) A lead-cooled fast neutron reactor.
C) A gas-cooled reactor.
D) A lead-bismuth fast neutron reactor.
E) A molten salt reactor.
3. What is the main goal of Rosatom’s Proryv (Breakthrough) project?
A) To build a maximum-power reactor with minimum dimensions.
B) To test passive cooling technologies for fast reactors.
C) To develop a fast reactor for the production of medical isotopes.
D) To implement and test a system for operating a nuclear power unit without operator intervention.
E) To develop reference Generation IV nuclear energy systems for large-capacity nuclear generation facilities.
4. What does the term “fast reactor” mean?
A) A reactor that starts up and shuts down quickly.
B) A reactor in which fast (high-energy) neutrons participate in the chain reaction.
C) A reactor with an accelerated accident response system.
D) A reactor that can be built in a record short time.
E) A reactor with an accelerated coolant circulation system.
5. Why does the BREST-OD-300 reactor use lead as a coolant?
A) Lead is cheaper than water.
B) Lead is a high-boiling, radiation-resistant, low-activation coolant that is inert in contact with water and air and does not require high pressure in the circuit.
C) Lead glows in the dark when irradiated, making it easier to monitor coolant dynamics in the reactor.
D) Lead has minimal corrosive and erosive effects on structural materials and offers the highest thermal conductivity and heat capacity parameters among alternative coolants.
E) Lead absorbs almost all neutrons, making the reactor subcritical.
6. What is the environmental advantage of a closed nuclear fuel cycle?
A) It completely eliminates carbon dioxide emissions.
B) It eliminates the need for natural uranium mining and drastically reduces the potential biological hazard of nuclear waste.
C) It eliminates the need for uranium enrichment.
D) It allows nuclear power plants to be built without an exclusion zone.
E) It eliminates the need for reactor cooling systems.
7. How is the “inherent safety” ensured in Generation IV nuclear energy systems?
A) Through the absence of active and passive safety systems.
B) Through the maximum use of the fundamental chemical properties of materials and the physical laws governing processes, combined with passive safety systems.
C) It is a status granted by the regulatory authority.
D) It is a construction technology using exclusively natural materials.
E) It is a principle of operating the power unit without the on-site staff.
8. What do the BN-1200M reactor (Beloyarsk Unit 5) and the BREST-OD-300 reactor have in common?
A) They are located in the same region.
B) They plan to use fuel made of uranium and plutonium oxides.
C) They plan to use molten salt as a coolant.
D) Both reactors are advancing Generation IV systems.
E) They have nothing in common.
9. Why is Rosatom building spent nuclear fuel (SNF) reprocessing facilities?
A) To burn SNF and use the ash to manufacture fuel pellets.
B) To recycle valuable energy products, reduce the SNF accumulation, and decrease the volume of radioactive waste sent for final disposal.
C) To produce medical and commercial isotopes.
D) To convert radioactive isotopes into stable elements through chemical reactions.
E) To manufacture metal ingots from fuel rod claddings and structural materials.
10. What role does Rosatom play in the development of Generation IV reactor systems?
A) It engineers Generation IV reactor systems for customers worldwide.
B) It equips operating power units with spent fuel reprocessing and fuel fabrication/refabrication modules.
C) It conducts scientific research and transfers the intellectual property to other organizations.
D) It upgrades fast reactors in France and Japan for their subsequent restart in line with Generation IV system logic.
E) It develops and implements new reactor and fuel technologies aimed at closing the nuclear fuel cycle and ensuring a safer operation of nuclear reactors.
Correct answers
1. Generation IV reactor systems are designed with a focus on enhancing safety, closing the nuclear fuel cycle, reducing the volume of radioactive waste, and maximizing the use of energy contained in natural uranium. These goals are achieved through a combination of new reactor technologies, a closed nuclear fuel cycle, and the use of inherent safety mechanisms.
2. The BREST-OD-300 is a lead-cooled fast neutron reactor using mixed uranium-plutonium nitride fuel, and is one of Rosatom’s flagship projects.
3. The main goal of the Proryv (Breakthrough) project is to develop reference Generation IV nuclear energy systems for large-capacity nuclear generation facilities.
4. A “fast reactor” is a reactor in which fast (high-energy) neutrons participate in the chain reaction. In such reactors, neutrons are not moderated (unlike in thermal reactors), which allows for more efficient use of uranium’s energy potential.
5. Lead is a high-boiling, radiation-resistant, low-activation coolant that is inert in contact with water and air and does not require high pressure in the circuit.
6. A closed nuclear fuel cycle eliminates the need for natural uranium mining and drastically reduces the potential biological hazard of nuclear waste.
7. Inherent safety is ensured through the maximum use of the fundamental chemical properties of materials and the physical laws governing processes, combined with passive safety systems. For example, as reactor power increases, reactivity automatically decreases due to negative feedback; lead does not enter into hazardous chemical reactions with water or air; and its high boiling point provides an additional safety margin.
8. Both reactors are advancing Generation IV systems, and both belong to the fast neutron type.
9. Rosatom is building spent nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities to recycle valuable energy products, reduce the spent nuclear fuel accumulation, and decrease the volume of radioactive waste sent for final disposal.
10. Rosatom develops and implements new reactor and fuel technologies aimed at closing the nuclear fuel cycle and ensuring a safer operation of nuclear reactors. Rosatom is the originator of the concept and a global leader in the development of Generation IV systems: the Russian corporation is working on fast reactor designs with various coolants, building facilities for spent nuclear fuel reprocessing and new fuel types, training new personnel, and establishing a new regulatory framework.
Photo by: JSC Siberian Chemical Combine, State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom
