Decommissioning of the BN-350 Fast Neutron Reactor: History Review and Current Status

Nurzhan Mukhamedov, Kuanyshbek Toleubekov (), Galina Vityuk, Maxat Bekmuldin and Sergey Dolzhikov
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Nurzhan Mukhamedov: Institute of Atomic Energy NNC RK, 10 Beibyt Atom st., Kurchatov 180010, Kazakhstan
Kuanyshbek Toleubekov: Institute of Atomic Energy NNC RK, 10 Beibyt Atom st., Kurchatov 180010, Kazakhstan
Galina Vityuk: Institute of Atomic Energy NNC RK, 10 Beibyt Atom st., Kurchatov 180010, Kazakhstan
Maxat Bekmuldin: Institute of Atomic Energy NNC RK, 10 Beibyt Atom st., Kurchatov 180010, Kazakhstan
Sergey Dolzhikov: Institute of Atomic Energy NNC RK, 10 Beibyt Atom st., Kurchatov 180010, Kazakhstan

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 13, 1-15

Abstract: This article is devoted to an overview of the conducted work and the current status of decommissioning of the world’s first BN-350 industrial fast neutron reactor. The reactor was put into operation on 16 July 1973 in Aktau. In 1999, the government of Kazakhstan decided to shut down the reactor, and from that moment to the present, it has been in the decommissioning stage. All work on decommissioning the reactor facility was grouped into five stages. The first stage was completed in 2010 when the spent fuel of the BN-350 reactor was placed for long-term storage. The second stage is nearing completion. Research is currently underway to develop technologies for processing radioactive sodium. The goal of the third and fourth stages of the BN-350 reactor decommissioning is the comprehensive processing of liquid and solid radioactive waste. Now such waste is stored in special storage directly on the territory of the nuclear power plant.

Keywords: fast neutron reactor; BN-350 reactor; decommissioning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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