Lessons learned from the experience of operating lead-bismuth nuclear power reactors

Abstract

The paper analyses accidents and emergencies that occurred at reactor plants having a lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) located in nuclear submarines and prototype ground-based facilities. Accidents and emergencies are systematized according to the initiating events and causes, as well as their consequences, and the measures developed for their future prevention. In the course of mastering the reactor technology, important scientific and technical problems, including the LBE technology itself, the corrosion resistance of structural materials, radiation safety under Po-210 emissions, the reliability of steam generators and associated equipment under coolant freezing-melting conditions, are studied with a view to providing their solutions.