Articles tagged with "Rosatom"
Russia develops critical process for molten salt reactors' operations
A Russian company under Rosatom has developed a solid-phase synthesis production process for lithium-7 fluoride, a critical material for molten salt reactors (MSRs). This marks a significant advancement for Russia, which previously lacked industrial-scale lithium-7 fluoride production. The process is environmentally friendly, minimizing lithium isotope loss and fluorine-containing waste. Rosatom plans to scale production to up to one tonne per year, supporting the development of MSRs, which use molten fluoride salts like lithium-7 fluoride as coolants operating at high temperatures without high pressure. MSRs represent a novel nuclear reactor technology that dissolves fissile and fertile fuel in molten salts, offering advantages over traditional solid-fuel reactors. Lithium-7 fluoride is essential due to its neutron transparency and purity requirements, as impurities can lead to tritium formation. MSRs can operate with various neutron spectra and fuels, with current interest focusing on thorium fuel cycles. Rosatom has completed the first design stage of an MSR, with technical designs and
energymolten-salt-reactorlithium-7-fluoridenuclear-energyRosatomsustainable-energyreactor-technologyRussia's liquid metal nuclear fuel assembly to advance fast reactors
Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom has developed and accepted a new nuclear fuel assembly, OS-5, designed for use in fourth-generation fast neutron reactors, specifically the BREST-OD-300 reactor. This assembly features mixed nitride uranium-plutonium (SNUPP) fuel with a novel liquid metal sublayer intended to lower fuel operating temperatures without altering coolant parameters. This design aims to reduce thermal expansion of the fuel pellets, thereby minimizing mechanical stress on the cladding and improving fuel reliability and economic efficiency. The BREST-OD-300, a 300 MWe fast neutron reactor, is central to Rosatom’s “Proryv” (Breakthrough) project, which seeks to establish a closed nuclear fuel cycle by reprocessing used fuel to recover plutonium and actinides for new fuel fabrication, thus reducing nuclear waste volume and radiotoxicity. The OS-5 fuel assembly is slated for pilot industrial operation in the BN-600 reactor at the Beloyarsk nuclear power
energynuclear-fuelfast-reactorsliquid-metal-fuelRosatomBREST-OD-300nuclear-technologyRussia appoints world's first female captain of nuclear icebreaker
Russia has appointed Marina Starovoitova as the world’s first female captain of a nuclear-powered icebreaker, marking a historic milestone in maritime leadership. The announcement was made by Rosatom, Russia’s national nuclear corporation, during the 80th anniversary celebrations of the country’s atomic industry. Starovoitova will command the Yamal, a prominent vessel in Russia’s Arctic fleet, which includes over 40 icebreakers, eight of them nuclear-powered. These ships play a critical role in maintaining navigation along the increasingly important Northern Sea Route as Arctic ice recedes. Starovoitova’s career is notable for her transition from a rural schoolteacher in western Russia to a seasoned maritime professional with more than 20 years of experience. She steadily advanced through maritime ranks, serving as senior assistant and chief mate on the Yamal before earning her captain’s badge. Her appointment highlights both her dedication and the evolving role of women in traditionally male-dominated fields. Upon receiving her captaincy, Starovoit
energynuclear-powericebreakerArctic-shippingmaritime-technologyRosatomNorthern-Sea-RouteRussia sets nuclear enrichment record with next-gen centrifuge
Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, through its fuel division TVEL, has developed a new tenth-generation gas centrifuge, the HZ-10, which sets a record in uranium enrichment efficiency and productivity. This advanced centrifuge surpasses all previous generations used at Rosatom’s facilities and is entering a pilot industrial testing phase before full-scale production. The HZ-10 is expected to significantly enhance the performance of Russia’s uranium enrichment plants, which currently hold over one-third of the global market share. While detailed technical specifications remain undisclosed, the development continues Rosatom’s long-term modernization program aimed at replacing older centrifuge models with more efficient machines like the GC-9+ and now the GC-10. Gas centrifuge technology enriches uranium by spinning uranium hexafluoride gas at high speeds to separate the lighter uranium-235 isotope from the heavier uranium-238. This process increases the uranium-235 concentration from its natural level of 0.7% to the 3.5
energynuclear-energyuranium-enrichmentgas-centrifugeRosatomnuclear-fuel-cycleenergy-technologyRussia: Israel strike on Iran nuclear site risks another Chernobyl
Russia has issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of an Israeli strike on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, cautioning that such an attack could lead to a "Chernobyl-style" nuclear disaster. The Bushehr facility, Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant, was constructed by Russia and currently employs hundreds of Russian specialists. Moscow has expressed serious concerns about the plant’s safety amid escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, with Russian officials noting that some personnel have already been evacuated, though many remain. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Israel had assured Russia that Bushehr would not be targeted, but Russia’s nuclear agency Rosatom remains prepared to evacuate workers on short notice if necessary. The conflict between Iran and Israel has intensified with mutual missile and bomb attacks. Israel accused Iran of using cluster bombs—munitions that disperse smaller bomblets posing long-term risks to civilians—in a densely populated area, marking the first reported use of such weapons in this war. Iranian missile
energynuclear-powernuclear-safetynuclear-plantRosatommissile-strikeIran-Israel-conflictRussian firm advances Gen-V nuclear fuel loading for closed fuel cycle
Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom has initiated the pilot operation of fifth-generation (Gen-V) nuclear fuel assemblies, designated TVS-5, by loading them into the VVER-1200 reactor core at the Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). Manufactured by the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant, these fuel bundles are designed for fully automated fabrication, enabling industrial-scale production critical for advancing a closed nuclear fuel cycle. The pilot phase will span three 18-month fuel cycles, using a regular enriched uranium dioxide fuel matrix under strict regulatory oversight by Rostechnadzor. This development marks a significant milestone in Russia’s strategic shift toward a dual-component nuclear power system that integrates thermal and fast neutron reactors with a closed fuel cycle. The closed cycle aims to reuse spent nuclear fuel by reprocessing uranium and plutonium, thereby improving resource efficiency and sustainability in nuclear power generation. Rosatom emphasizes that the TVS-5 fuel design and its automated manufacturing process are essential steps toward enabling the
energynuclear-fuelnuclear-powerautomated-fabricationclosed-fuel-cycleVVER-1200RosatomNew nuclear reactor built for world's most powerful icebreaker
energynuclear-reactoricebreakerArctic-shippingRosatomRITM-400maritime-technology