L. A. ADAMOVICH, G. I. GRECHKO, B. D. LAPIN, V. K. ULASEVICH, V. A. SHISHKIN Research and Development Institute of Power Engineering, Moscow, Russian Federation

Abstract

The paper contains basic conceptual principles used to develop the technical assignment for an autonomous nuclear power plant with integrated nuclear steam supply system (NSSS) designed to provide heat and electricity for areas which are remote with difficult access. The paper also describes technical procedures and equipment, NPP thermal hydraulic flow chart, steam generator design, safety aspects as well as operational and maintenance procedures.

1. Introduction

In areas of Russia which are remote with difficult access, for instance in the Extreme North, Far East, or Siberia a possible reasonable alternative to fossil-fuel energy sources, mainly hydrocarbon, is autonomous nuclear power plants (NPP) of relatively low capacity, shipped to the site in large modules and completely withdrawable from the site upon decommissioning. For the areas in question, small setllements and enterprises with low power demand are typical. The complexity of constructing electric transmission lines, gas pipelines, liquid fuel pipelines, and high cost requires to use local self-contained energy sources. Application of NPPs for power and heat supply may be cost efficient and promising from social and ecological point of view.

A necessity arises to develop new approaches to designing these power sources, naturally, taking into account the experience gained in reactor construction based on modem safety level. Such approaches are to be based on: ‘

• use of well proven technology of water-cooled reactors, in particular, those used at transport facilities with adequate optimisation of their characteristics;

• maximum use of equipment which has operational field-checked prototypes;

• use of designs with inherent safety features; v

• maximum ecological safety of NPP considering nature specifics in the Extreme North and Far East of Russia extraordinarily sensitive to production activities

• preservation of the natural landscape, flora and fauna due to NPP delivery and removal in large plant-manufactured modules which minimize erection and dismantling jobs at the site;

• minimal capital investments and operating costs to make such NPP competitive with conventional fossil power plants.

The paper briefly describes possible implementation of these approaches using a NPP equipped with the integrated nuclear steam supply system.