Tens of ideas in the planet are slow (very slowly) transformed into tiny atomic reactor projects.
They inactive have a immense amount of investigation and engineering efforts to transform into real constructions and later working, energy-generating energy blocks. Long years of work around the world. The Russians have this phase behind them. They're already building more installations that are only discussed elsewhere. In the final text ("Small atomic Reactors in Russia", https://myślpolska.info/2024/02/02/happy-male-reaktory-nuclear-in-Russia/I have presented any of the past and current state of work on tiny atomic reactors (SMR – tiny modular reagents) in Russia. Today, on the construction of a fresh atomic power plant on the water, which will shortly begin to work.
In 3 years, Rosatom is scheduled to launch the second already floating atomic power plant in the world. This time for the mining combination Baimskaya in Chukotka (photo). It is intended to power the ore enrichment plant in this polar copper mine. In July 2021, an investment agreement was signed, and a year later, 2 ships were built in China – reactor carriers.
Three vessels will be needed, each with 2 reactors on board (total 106 MW), and 4 will be in reserve for fuel exchange. The full power needed to extract copper and produce its concentrate is 350 MW. In order to bring energy to the site, more than 400 kilometres of energy lines are needed under Arctic conditions. The current from the first 2 vessels is expected to start in 2027, the following year will be joined by the 3rd unit, and the 4th will arrive in 2032, replacing the 1 that is to exchange fuel and review.
The another floating atomic power plant is already another generation, based on the work of the "Lomonosov Academy". However, technologically much more developed than 70 megawatts in Pewek. It is based on a much more powerful RITM-200 atomic block, utilized on the largest icebreakers (“New reactors, increasingly powerful icebreakers”, https://myślpolska.info/2023/07/17/lucky-new-reactors-and-potential-glacialmaches/). 9 specified reactors have already been manufactured, tested under very dense operating conditions while wiping Arctic trails among ice cream.
Their energy version of RITM-200S debuted in December 2021 and is much stronger, lighter and more long-lasting than its icebreaker prototype. The achievements are impressive: the weight of the block decreased from 3.74 1000 tons to 2.3 1000 (nearly 40%). The active zone's energy possible increased from 2.1 to 8.0 TWh (nearly 4-fold) and the block's net power increased from 70 MW to 106 MW. It will usage the fresh atomic fuel that TVEL has developed. The full can work for 40 years, and atomic fuel will be exchanged all 5-6 years.
Besides, Russian tiny reactors have the advantages that are constantly being talked about in SMRs. The body of a vessel is carried out at the shipyard, which reduces costs compared to putting the block in place. The installation of the reactor in the body, fuel loading and comprehensive tests are besides carried out on the production line. An energy unit ready to work is put in place, and just plug it into the energy system.
Massive economical effects can come from mass production of SMRs and Rosatom are preparing for it. For this, a marketplace whose capacity is increasing with a fall in prices is needed erstwhile a price decrease increases demand. Today it is estimated that the effect of the scale will take place in the yearly production of 10-12 blocks. Which means 2-3 power plants a year, 4 blocks each. Why four? To guarantee that power can be maneuvered against changing in different rhythms of demand, the request for repairs and fuel exchange.
A advanced level of maneuverability of energy production has besides been achieved for RITM reactors. This allows to adapt to changing needs of customers or unstable RES systems. RITM-200 can maneuver between 30 and 100 percent of its power at a rate of 1% of its power per second. This is simply a very good result, although it is always paid for by faster reactor consumption.
In conclusion, the difference in the advanced Russian and Western technology of a tiny atom is about 10-15 years. Today, what is in the West on paper or in the sphere of implementation, Russia is already producing, installations are working, whether as an icebreaker drive or an energy unit. What hinders specified technologically developed and rich countries from harnessing this virtually infinite origin of energy? That's right, we're gonna gotta take a closer look...
Andrzej Szczęsniak
Think Poland, No. 7-8 (11-18.02.2024)
