BN-800 objectives in the development of a closed NFC

Abstract

The construction of the BN-800 reactor opens the way to the development of a closed nuclear fuel cycle on an industrial scale. After mastering the industrial production of mixed uranium-plutonium fuel, BN-800 was transferred to a full loading with this fuel. The present article demonstrates that plutonium of any isotopic composition can be used for fuel production, provided its content adjusted using a specially developed method. The features of handling fuel assemblies (FAs) due to high radiation of mixed uranium-plutonium fuel are considered. The technology for reprocessing spent FAs with this fuel was successfully tested during the reprocessing of experimental BN-600 FAs. Preparations for the reception and processing of spent FAs at the Mayak Production Association (Ozersk, Russian Federation) are underway. To demonstrate the possibility of burning long-lived actinides in BN-800, reactor tests have begun on three FAs of mixed uranium-plutonium fuel with partially added americium and neptunium.