Submarine liquid metal reactors

Launched in Leningrad in 19S9, the icebreaker Lenin was the first nuclear merchant ship in the world. During 31 years in commission, the icebreaker had two separate SGIs. The first SGI contained three PWRs of 90 MW maximum thermal power each and operated from 1959 to February 1965, when during routine repair of the SGI, an operator error allowed the core of the center line (N2) PWR to be left without water for some period of time. As a consequence, a part of the reactor core was damaged due to residual heat. It is this first SGI that forms the basis for the icebreaker source term. 

Known or estimated characteristics of the SGIs of the seven nuclear submarines and icebreaker are detailed in the following sections. 

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METHODS FOR ANALYTICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL JUSTIFICATION OF NUCLEAR AND RADIATION SAFETY DURING UNLOADING AND STORAGE OF SPENT REMOVABLE PARTS FROM NUCLEAR SUBMARINE LIQUID METAL REACTORS... 

The analytical and experimental methods applicable for justification of neutronic characteristics of spent removable parts (SRP) of nuclear submarine liquid metal reactors (NS LMR) are briefly reviewed. 

FIG. 5. Plan view of the core and reflector of a liquid metal reactor of submarine factory number 601, showing the approximate position of the emergency protection rods and the control or... 

FIG. 11. Cross-section through the left board steam generator of the liquid metal reactors of submarine factory number 601, showing the damaged fuel pins, Pb-Bi coolant in the primary circuit, and Furfurol(F) in the secondary header and channels. 

FIG. 16. Circles of corrosion expanding from the emergency protection rod channels of the liquid metal reactors of submarine factory number 601. 

The technology base for the LFR is primarily derived from the Pb-Bi liquid alloy-cooled reactors employed by the Russian Alpha class submarines. Technologies developed from the integral fast reactor metal alloy fuel recycle and refabrication development, and from the advanced liquid metal reactor (ALMR) passive safety and modular design approach, may also be applicable to the LFR. The ferritic stainless steel and metal alloy fuel developed for sodium fast reactors may also be adaptable to the LFR for those concepts with reactor outlet temperatures in the range of BSO C. 

The development of heavy liquid metal reactors (HLMRs) in Russia stems from its experience with Pb—Bi eutectic coolants in Soviet Alpha-class submarines. Altogether, USSR had eight nuclear submarines and two on-the-ground Pb—Bi-cooled reactor prototypes. Details of the submarine experience are extensively presented... 

A follow-up report suggested that both types of reactor should be studied further, although there seemed to be a preference for the liquid metal reactor as providing better performance and being more compact, so allowing for a smaller submarine. The report was obviously a little too tecbnical for the First Lord, who wrote a slightly plaintive note at the top of his copy Can someone explain this to me in simple language JPLT . 

Step by step solution to the project on long-term storage of spent fuel from nuclear submarines with heavy liquid metal cooled reactors... 

From the above table it follows that major works in different areas are to be performed in Gremikha including -management of SNF of Nuclear Submarines (NSs) with Liquid-Metal Coolant (LMC) reactors and WER -management of Solid and Liquid Radioactive Waste (SRW and LRW) -removal of SNF and Spent Removable Units (SRUs) to Mayak for reprocessing -rehabilitation of buildings, constructions, terrestrial and aquatic systems. 

The first three submarine reactors disposed of in this way seems have originated from a Hotel, a November and a Yankee class submarine, all of early designs, and they had all suffered either a criticality or a loss-of-cooling accident. They were all provided with two pressurized water reactors. The submarine was the Project 645 submarine with a November class hull, which was provided with two liquid-metal cooled reactors. It had suffered a loss-of-cooling accident in one of its reactors [4]. 

In compliance with the closed fuel cycle concept accepted in Russia, SNF imloaded from Nuclear Submarines (NSs) with water-cooled reactors (WER) as well as SNF of nuclear icebreakers are forwarded to PA Mayak for reprocessing, fuel of liquid-metal coolant reactors, zirconimn-cladding fuel and damaged Spent Fuel... 

The inner surface area of the primary circuit contacting liquid metal in fast reactor NPP exceeds by a factor of 10 that of submarine facility (see Table 5.5). 

In the beginning of the 1950s nearly at the same time the USA and USSR launched the development of the nuclear power installations (NPI) for nuclear submarines (NS). In both countries the work was carried out for two types of NPIs with pressurized water reactors and reactors cooled by liquid metal coolant (LMC). 

XXIII-5] GROMOV, B., TOSHINSKY, G., CHEKOUNOV, V., et al.. Design of reactor facilities using lead-bismuth coolant for atomic submarine operation. A brief history and general results of their operation. Heavy Liquid Metal Coolants in Nuclear Technology (Proc. Int. Conf. Obninsk, Russia) SSC RF-IPPE (1998). 

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