Status and prospects for pressure-tube water-cooled graphite-moderated reactors Original Research Article

An overview is given on the 50 year experience in the development of pressure-tube water-cooled graphite-moderated reactors (WCGMR) in Russia and operation of NPPs with RBMK-type reactors. Advantages and shortcomings of WCGMR are pointed out. Also described is the systematic upgrading effort for some RBMK systems and components meant to enhance their reliability, safety and lifetime. A possibility of further improvement of the economic performance of NPPs is discussed. The paper gives technical features of the MKER-800 reactor plant designed to replace power units with RBMK-type reactors at the end of their lifetime. Pressure-tube and pressure-vessel reactor concepts adopted in the Russian nuclear power system are mutually complementary, which is an important merit and advantage of such a model of power development.