View source for Physics:BREST (reactor)

{{Short description|Lead-cooled reactor family designed in Russia}}

The '''BREST''' reactor is a Russian conceptual design for a [[Chemistry:Lead-cooled fast reactor|lead-cooled fast reactor]] based on a [[Engineering:Generation IV reactor|generation IV reactor]]. Two designs are planned, the BREST-300 (300 MWe) and the BREST-1200 (1200 MWe). The main characteristics of the BREST reactor are [[Physics:Passive nuclear safety|passive safety]] and a [[Physics:Nuclear fuel cycle|closed fuel cycle]].<ref>[http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Design-completed-for-prototype-fast-reactor-0209147.html Design completed for prototype fast reactor], World Nuclear News. 2 September 2014</ref>

The reactor uses nitride uranium-plutonium fuel, is a [[Engineering:Breeder reactor|breeder reactor]] and can burn long-term [[Physics:Radioactive waste|radioactive waste]]. Lead is chosen as a coolant for being high-boiling, radiation-resistant, low-activated and at atmospheric pressure.<ref>[https://www.iaea.org/NuclearPower/Downloadable/Meetings/2015/2015-05-25-05-29-NPTDS/Russian_Projects/28_Smirnov_Brest_on_IAEA_eng.pdf Lead-Cooled Fast-Neutron Reactor (BREST)], IAEA. 2015</ref>

== BREST-300 ==

The construction of the BREST-300-OD in Seversk (near Tomsk) was approved in August 2016.<ref>[http://www.powermag.com/russia-accelerates-efforts-build-advanced-nuclear-reactors/ Russia Accelerates Efforts to Build Advanced Nuclear Reactors], Powermag. 1 October 2016</ref><ref>[http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Russian-notes-progress-with-fast-reactor-technology-23081601.html Russia notes progress with fast reactor technology], World Nuclear News. 23 August 2016</ref> The preparatory construction work commenced in May 2020.<ref>[https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newspreparatory-construction-for-brest-300-reactor-begins-in-russia-7936880/ Preparatory construction for Brest-300 reactor begins in Russia], Nuclear Engineering International. 22 May 2020</ref> Construction started in {{dts | 8 June 2021}}.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://iz.ru/1175752/2021-06-08/rosatom-nachal-stroitelstvo-reaktora-brest-300-v-severske | title="Росатом" начал строительство реактора Брест-300 в Северске | date=8 June 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Proctor|first=Darrell|date=2021-06-08|title=Nuclear First—Work Starts on Russian Fast Neutron Reactor|url=https://www.powermag.com/nuclear-first-work-starts-on-russian-fast-neutron-reactor/|access-date=2021-06-21|website=POWER Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref>

The first BREST-300 will be a demonstration unit, as forerunner to the BREST-1200.

The combination of a heat-conducting nitride fuel and the [[Chemistry:Lead-cooled fast reactor#Advantages of lead in fast reactors|properties of the lead coolant]] allow for complete plutonium breeding inside the core. This results in a small operating reactivity margin and enables power operation without prompt neutron reactor power excursions. In simpler terms, the uranium 238 in the core is converted to plutonium, which itself will undergo an effective fission in the fast spectrum. {{Clarify|date=December 2023|reason=Is that the cause of subcritical operation, or a consequence? Need to operate in subcritical regime to avoid criticality ? |text=This is in contrast to other fast reactor designs, where an outside blanket of uranium is required; placing too much uranium in the core section would lead to subcritical operation.}} 
In doing so, a substantial number of neutrons is required for breeding. {{Clarify|date=December 2023|reason=Is that the cause of subcritical operation, or a consequence? Need to operate in subcritical regime to avoid criticality ? |text=This implies in turn, that in the reactor operation, there are "just enough" neutrons to operate, and no excess is present.}}

== Technical data ==
* Thermal power: 700 MW
* Electrical power 300 MW
* Average lead coolant temperature: {{convert|540|C}} on entry in the steam generator; {{convert|340|C}} on exit of the steam generator
* Loop number: 4
* Core height: {{convert|1100|mm}}
* Fuel load: {{convert|20.6|ST}}
* Fuel campaign: 5 years

== See also ==
*Fast breeder reactor
*Fast neutron reactor
*[[Engineering:Generation IV reactor|Generation IV reactor]]
*Siberian Chemical Combine

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.uxc.com/smr/Library%5CDesign%20Specific/BREST-OD-300/Papers/2000%20-%20Design%20Features%20of%20BREST%20Reactors%20and%20Experimental%20Work%20to%20Advance%20the%20Concept%20of%20BREST%20Reactors.pdf Design Features of BREST Reactors and Experimental Work to Advance the Concept of BREST Reactors]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161025053954/https://www.iaea.org/NuclearPower/Downloadable/Meetings/2015/2015-05-25-05-29-NPTDS/Russian_Projects/28_Smirnov_Brest_on_IAEA_eng.pdf Lead-Cooled Fast-Neutron Reactor (BREST)], IAEA. 2015


[[Category:Liquid metal fast reactors]]
[[Category:Nuclear power reactor types]]
[[Category:Nuclear reactors]]
[[Category:Nuclear research reactors]]

{{Sourceattribution|BREST (reactor)}}