BN-1200 reactor

BN-1200 reactor is a type of nuclear reactor designed and developed by Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear energy corporation. The BN-1200 is a sodium-cooled fast reactor, a specific type of reactor that uses sodium as a coolant and operates on the fast neutron spectrum.

Design and Development

The BN-1200 reactor is the latest in a series of sodium-cooled fast reactors developed by Rosatom. Its design is based on the experiences and lessons learned from its predecessors, the BN-600 reactor and the BN-800 reactor. The BN-1200 is designed to have a power output of 1200 MWe, which is significantly higher than the power outputs of the BN-600 and BN-800.

The development of the BN-1200 reactor is part of Rosatom's strategy to develop a closed nuclear fuel cycle, which aims to minimize nuclear waste and make the most out of nuclear fuel. The BN-1200 reactor is designed to use mixed oxide fuel, which is a type of nuclear fuel that contains more than one type of plutonium and uranium.

Operation

The BN-1200 reactor operates on the fast neutron spectrum, which means it uses fast neutrons to sustain a nuclear chain reaction. This is in contrast to thermal reactors, which use slow or thermal neutrons. The use of fast neutrons allows the BN-1200 reactor to burn a wider range of nuclear fuels, including transuranic waste, which is a type of nuclear waste that is difficult to manage.

The BN-1200 reactor uses sodium as a coolant. Sodium is a good choice for a coolant because it has excellent heat transfer properties and does not slow down neutrons as much as other coolants, such as water. However, sodium reacts violently with water and air, which poses certain safety challenges.

Safety

The BN-1200 reactor is designed with several safety features to mitigate the risks associated with its operation. These include a double containment design to prevent the release of radioactive materials, and a passive cooling system that can remove heat from the reactor core without the need for active mechanical systems.

Future Prospects

The BN-1200 reactor is currently in the design and development stage. Once completed, it is expected to play a key role in Russia's nuclear energy strategy. It is also seen as a potential solution to the problem of nuclear waste management, as it can burn transuranic waste and reduce the volume and toxicity of nuclear waste.