On IVG.1M Reactor Operation with the New WCTC-LEU Fuel
During the video-conference on 18th June 2020, the specialist of the RK National Nuclear Center and Argonne National Laboratory (USA) discussed technical issues on the implementation of the IVG.1M reactor conversion project.
Research results of two irradiated water-cooled technological channels with low-enriched uranium fuel (WCTC-LEU) have been considered, current status of preparation for the stage reactor physical startup have been discussed, the solutions for future work plans have been agreed and adopted.
For reference: on 10th July 2014, FSUE SRI SIA ‘LUCH’ delivered two experimental technological channels WCTC-LEU to the RK National Nuclear Center. Experimental WCTC-LEU were loaded into the core cells of the IVG.1M reactor for life cycle tests. The test purpose – to check the efficiency of two WCTC-LEU as a part of available core, determination of channel compliance to technical requirements and resulting the data necessary to take a decision on fabrication of a WCTC-LEU batch to mount them in the core of the IVG.1M reactor.
As a result of two experimental WCTC-LEU testing, the compliance of their characteristics to design values have been confirmed, and their efficiency have been demonstrated. The post-irradiation examinations, which are completed to date, will finally define the possibility to use experimental fuel for implementation of the IVG.1M reactor conversion to low enriched fuel. That’s grounds for planning loading the core with thirty WCTC-LEU and physical startup in 2021 the successfulness of which will allow to carry out power startup of the IVG.1M reactor with LEU fuel in 2023.