National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan successfully performed physical start-up of low-enriched uranium IVG.1M reactor

Today the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan successfully performed physical start-up of low-enriched uranium IVG.1M.

A great number of research reactors in the world operate using highly enriched uranium, posing a threat of nuclear weapon proliferation, since the highly enriched uranium fuel (HEU) may be used for the weapon production. To resolve the issue, since 1978 multiple research reactor operating states has signed IAEA supported international agreements for research reactors conversion to low enriched uranium fuel (LEU). Kazakhstan joined the agreement in early 2000.

In 2010, in the framework of international obligations of the Republic of Kazakhstan in nuclear weapon non-proliferation, the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan commenced a large project to convert HEU fuel of IVG.1M reactor. The main objective of the project is to reduce the reactor fuel enrichment below 20% in accordance with IAEA requirements, preserving the fuel characteristics.

With the project implementation, specialists of the National Nuclear Center in cooperation with partners from USA and Russia completed feasibility study for the conversion, experimentally tested low enriched fuel, and manufactured standard LEU fuel.

Currently, the first stage of LEU fuel reactor commissioning is ongoing, specifically, IVG.1M reactor physical start-up. Following the next stage – reactor power start-up, and experimental determination of required characteristics of the new core, IVG.1M reactor will be commissioned. Therefore, by 2023 researches in peaceful use of nuclear power shall be resumed at IVG.1M reactor. Moreover, according to the calculations made, we will be able to preserve and even improve the reactor’s output characteristics.

In general, implementation of the global project is one more contribution of Kazakhstan to resolving the international mission for reducing nuclear weapon proliferation threat.

Symbolically, thirty years ago, there was physical start-up of IVG.1M with HEU fuel.