BARGE – MOUNTED REACTORS FOR REMOTE LOCATIONS: NONPROLIFERATION PROSPECTIVE

Transportable nuclear power installations has long history. From the very beginning of atomic energy idea of using this energy as power source was discussed among nuclear engineers and scientists. One may recall number of the projects to use atomic energy for airplane, space engine, ships etc. which were under development in different countries. At present most advantage in Russia has project based on icebreaker reactors (KLT – 40) with some modification to enhance nuclear safety features and to decrease uranium fuel enrichment below 20% Floating NPP has number of advantages as well as some disadvantages. As positive the following parameters can be mentioned: • Construction, fuel loading, refueling can be done far from place of use; • Easy installation on place of use; • Well developed technology can be used with maximum extend; • Low enriched uranium as fuel; • No technology transfer to the customer; • No spent fuel with plutonium will be left in a customer hands; • Mass production of such NPP can be organized in cooperation by developed countries as “nuclear batteries”; • Easy replacement for maintenance, reloading, or end of life. As disadvantage the following parameters can be mentioned: • Not long enough period between reloading; this parameter was not considered from proliferation resistance point of view; • Relatively high price specially for first examples; it could be much cheaper if production of floating NPP will be in bigger numbers (say few hundreds); • Physical protection of the floating NPP should be solved case by case depends on place where it will be used. Conclusion: barge-mounted floating NPP is one of the perspective ways to advance nuclear energy for peaceful use in developing countries with accounting all requirements which is necessary to be accounted – safety, economy, proliferation resistance and physical protection, waste management and environmental limitations. International cooperation could help to solve remaining issues for full satisfaction of those requirements.