Floating Nuclear Power Plant

Information

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FLOATING NUCLEAR HEAT AND POWER PLANT 

based on the floating power unit equipped with KLT-40S reactor installations

TECHNICAL PARAMETERS

  • Electric capacity, MW - 70 / 38
  • Thermal capacity, Gcal / h - 50 / 146
  • Electricity output million kW × h / year - 455
  • Heat production,  Gcal / year -  900

FNHPP PROJECT

Floating nuclear heat and power plant (FNHPP) is a new generation of energy production facilities based on Russian technologies of  nuclear shipbuilding  intended for reliable round -the-year power supply to industrial installations infrastructure and general public in the remote areas of Arctic and Far East of Russia in the fuel-deficit and extremely severe climatic regions of the country.

The key objectives of the project are as follows:

  • radical modernization of energy sector based on nuclear power sea-based units;
  • accelerated and sustainable industrial and socio-economic development of remote areas of the Arctic and the Far East - regions of Russia's strategic interests.
FNHPP energy technology enable the following:

1. Refuse from organic fuel supplies;
2. Provide conditions for  development of industrial and port infrastructure projects;
3. Ensure development of mineral deposits including the ones on the shelf of the Arctic and Far East seas;
4. Improve the quality of life of the population.

FNHPP is developed on the basis of the reactor installation KLT-40S, which prototypes are the reactor installations of the operating nuclear icebreakers and the light-carrier “Sevmorput”.

Implementation of FNHPP is performed in full compliance with the requirements of the modern codes and standards in the area of safety ensuring at nuclear power plants and ships equipped with nuclear power installations.

The protective mooring pier is envisaged to protect the floating nuclear power unit during operation from the  sea waves and drifting ice piling, that represents a barrier of continuous type with passage openings for the normal operational hydrothermal parameters of the aquatorium.

NUCLEAR SAFETY

  • Ensuring of optimum combination of passive and active safety systems, strengthening of inherent self-protection capabilities
  • The emergency localization of radioactive substances is ensured by five localizing safety barriers on the way of radioactivity release to the environment.
  • The radiation impact to the public and environment during normal operation and in case of any emergencies including beyond-design ones does not exceed the level of natural radiation background, the design ensures the level of safety and environmental friendliness that allows to bring FNHPP closer to the customers.
  • The very FNHPP design and philosophy provide for maximum external protection against the most severe postulated incidents.
  • The floating unit safety systems are similar to those of the ice-breakers.
  • The floating unit vessel is designed to withstand a collision with an iceberg or a ship.
  • At construction of the unit vessel, the climatic conditions for operation of the FNHPP were considered (i.e. steel resistant to embrittlement in low temperature conditions; ice strengthening elements; all facilities required for towing by an atomic ice-breaker).
  • The design is based upon the time-proven technologies of the ship reactor plants.

GENERAL OVERVIEW

The main element of the plant is the floating power unit, it is nonself-propelled, which houses the set of power production equipment for the generation of heat and electricity. The floating power unit is constructed at the ship-building plant and delivered to the site of the FNHPP location completely assembled and ready for operation.
Only auxiliary facilities that provide the installation of the floating power unit and transmission of heat and electricity to the shore are erected at the site of FNHPP location.

OPERATION MODES

Refuelling of the FPU core will take place every 3.5 to 4 years of operation, depending on the power level. 

Refuelling will be scheduled for spring and autumn periods, when the power consumption level is minimal. At the same time, a reactor plant on one side is operational, while that on the other side is subjected to core refuelling, maintenance and repair (about 45 days). 

The performance of the foregoing work is planned to be outsourced to the specialists of third-party enterprises. 

PHYSICAL PROTECTION

The Physical Protection System (PPS) of FNHPP is designed based on the fundamental principals that are applied for all nuclear facilities:

  • based on the threats analysis; 
  • potential consequences of malicious acts. 
PPS of FNHPP is designed to take into account:

  • Location of the facility and nuclear material; 
  • Category II nuclear materials (uranium enriched to 10% 235U but less than 20% 235U; 10 kg or more); 
  • FNHPP whole life cycle:
  • platform construction;
  • installation of the power unit (reactor without fuel);
  • fuel loading;
  • transportation to the site;
  • operation;
  • decommissioning.