RUTA-20 reactor system description and development status

The pool-type reactor RUTA-20 was developed as a heat source for district heating in small settlements and towns. Apart from heating purposes, the reactor can be used as a power source for summer air conditioning in residential and industrial complexes. It is also possible to use the reactor as a power source for desalination of sea water. Thermal power of a single unit is 20 MW. 

The RUTA-20 reactor concept is based on long-term successful experience in operating pool-type research reactors. In addition, RUTA-20 reactor safety has been particularly enhanced due to technological progress in manufacturing of different reactor units, as well as modem approaches to the reactor design process with emphasis on inherent safety features based on fundamental laws of nature. 

The high safety level of the NHP RUTA-20 arises mainly from two dominant features of the pool-type reactor operating at atmospheric pressure  

The use of double clad fully tested fuel pins under conditions where fuel pin overheating is technologically excluded, ensures long-term and reliable localization of fission products inside the fuel rods. 

The reactor tank is a cylindrical vessel of 15 m height and 4.8 m inner diameter, manufactured from stainless steel. The reactor tank wall thickness is 20 mm. Inside the tank a reactor coolant flow guiding structure of 1.6 m diameter is installed, with a lower inlet chamber at the bottom below the core and connections to hot legs at the top. In the upper part of the reactor tank, primary heat-exchangers are installed and fixed on a support frame on which there are also drums for spent fuel storage. Water circulation in the reactor tank is natural without boiling. The reactor tank is installed in a concrete cavity lined with carbon steel, 20 mm in thickness. The inner diameter of the reactor cavity is 5.2 m, and its height is 16 m. The reactor pool is covered by a lid sealed with a hydroseal. 

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RUTA-20 REACTOR SYSTEM DESCRIPTION AND DEVELOPMENT STATUS 7.9.1. Basic objectives and features... 

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