Speaker
Description
Currently, there is no viable alternative to the operation of nuclear power plants in Armenia. It is essential to implement a facility designed with inherent safety and highly reliable protection systems, ensuring stable defense against nuclear events, accidental explosions, and seismic shocks. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) offer a promising solution to these challenges.
SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors with a capacity of up to 300 MW per unit. They can be factory-assembled and transported to the site, offering a flexible solution for power generation. Within this framework, Molten Salt Fast Reactors (MSFRs) represent a prospective type of SMR. They combine the advantages of a fast neutron spectrum with liquid fuel, offering potential for enhanced inherent safety, superior fuel utilization, and a reduction in the volume of long-lived nuclear waste.
While characterized by high operational safety goals, advanced SMRs—including MSFR configurations—require comprehensive research regarding risk factors and operational cost optimization. A primary technological bottleneck in the MSFR fuel cycle is the requirement for high purity Lithium-7 to maintain a favorable neutron economy and minimize tritium generation. To address this chemical engineering barrier, an innovative technical approach is introduced to handle the complex problem of the Lithium-7 isotope. Furthermore, to validate these advancements and comprehensively test all operational features under real-world conditions, the construction of a 40 MWe demonstration unit is suggested. This presentation addresses these issues and proposes concrete recommendations for their resolution."