RITM-200

Last updated
RITM-200
Generation Generation III+ reactor
Reactor concept Pressurized water reactor
Reactor typesRITM-200 [1]

RITM-200S
RITM-200N
RITM-200M
RITM-400

RITM-400M
Statusoperational
Main parameters of the reactor core
Fuel (fissile material) 235U (LEU)
Fuel stateSolid
Neutron energy spectrum Thermal
Primary control methodControl rods
Primary moderator Water
Primary coolantLiquid (light water)
Reactor usage
Primary useGeneration of electricity and propulsion
Power (thermal)RITM-200: 175  MWth

RITM-200S: 198  MWth
RITM-200N: 190  MWth
RITM-200M: 198  MWth
RITM-400: 315  MWth

RITM-400M:

Contents

 340  MWth
Power (electric)RITM-200: 55  MWe
RITM-400: 80  MWe [2]

The RITM-200 is an integrated Generation III+ pressurized water reactor developed by OKBM Afrikantov and designed to produce 55 MWe. [3] [4] The design is an improvement of KLT-40S reactor. It uses up to 20% enriched uranium-235 and can be refueled every 10 years for a 60 year planned lifespan in floating power plant installation. [5] If installed in a stationary power plant the fuel cycle is 6 years.

Design

The RITM-200 has a compact integrated layout placing equipment within the steam generator casing, halving system weight compared to earlier designs and improving ability to operate in rolling and pitching seas. [6]

Usage

As of March 2025, there are 8 RITM type reactors under construction at different stages (for floating power units and for icebreakers). Project 22220 icebreaker each uses 2 of RITM-200 reactors. [7] [2]

Icebreakers

It powers the Project 22220 icebreakers, the first of which went critical in October 2019. [8] [9] Since 2012, ten RITM‑200 reactors have been manufactured for five Russian Project 22220 multi-purpose nuclear icebreakers. Eight reactors are installed on the Arktika, Sibir, Ural and Yakutia icebreakers, which are already in operation. Construction of Chukotka is nearing completion. [10]

Floating power plants

RITM‑200M reactors will also be installed on the floating power units to supply power to the Baimsky GOK mining site in Chukotka. [10] They are planned to be put in operation in 2029. [11]

The volume of investments in the project was estimated at RUB900bn ($10bn). However, Georgy Fotin, Director General of Baimskaya Management Company, said in April, that the assessment had been revised upwards and some RUB170bn had already been invested.

The Baim project will be supplied with electricity using the new FNPPs of the PEB-106 project, designed for operation in the Far North and Far East. They will use the new RITM-200S reactors, which will supply 106 MWe to consumers. Their service life is 40 years and the interval between refuelling is five years. The units will be held in place by rigid mooring devices, which make it possible to compensate for the movement of the power units from the ebb and flow. The power generated by the power unit is transmitted to the shore using 50 high-voltage cables. Three main floating power units and one reserve unit will be installed, which will be used during the repair of the main units. [12]

Stationary power plants

In November 2020 Rosatom announced plans to place a land-based RITM-200N [13] SMR in isolated Ust-Kuyga town in Yakutia. [14] The reactor will replace current coal and oil based electricity and heat generation at half the price. [15] In April 2023, a license was given for a pilot RITM-200N plant to be built near the village of Ust-Kuiga, with commissioning planned for 2028. [16]

Export

On May 27, 2024, Rosatom signed a contract to construct a 330 MW nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan's Jizzakh Region, featuring six 55 MWe RITM-200N small modular reactors. [10] [17] [18]

RITM-400

RITM-400 is a pressurised water reactor with a planned capacity of 80 MWe. [2] The reactor is being developed by OKBM Afrikantov, a nuclear engineering company that is part of Rosatom. [19]

According to the Nuclear Energy International, Nornickel and Rosatom are considering the possibility of setting up a SMR plant with a capacity of 320 MWe with four RITM-400 reactors. [2]

References

  1. ↑ Yurina (October 2021). "Innovative RITM Reactors for Marine and Land-Based Applications" (PDF). IAEA. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Rosatom ramps up RITM-200 reactor production". Nuclear Engineering International. 2025-03-14. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
  3. ↑ Tracey (2024-06-26). "The RITM-200N reactor as a terrestrial unit". Nuclear Engineering International. Archived from the original on 2024-10-20. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  4. ↑ niraj (2023-12-29). "Production of all RITM-200 small modular reactors completed". Nuclear Asia. Archived from the original on 2024-10-20. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  5. ↑ "Small nuclear reactors for power and icebreaking". www.world-nuclear-news.org.
  6. ↑ "Ural icebreaker passes construction milestone". World Nuclear News. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  7. ↑ "Eight RITM reactors currently under production". World Nuclear News. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  8. ↑ "SMR in the Making". rosatomnewsletter.com. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  9. ↑ "Development of nuclear fuel 'complete' for RITM-200S floating power project". World Nuclear News. Archived from the original on 2024-10-20. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  10. 1 2 3 "First SMRs for Export". rosatomnewsletter.com. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  11. ↑ "Atoms Grow in Appeal". rosatomnewsletter.com. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  12. ↑ Tracey (2024-06-24). "Commissioning of first floating nuclear plant for Baimsky project set for 2028". Nuclear Engineering International. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  13. ↑ "Rosatom begins development of nuclear fuel for upgraded FNPPs - Nuclear Engineering International". www.neimagazine.com. 30 December 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  14. ↑ "Rosatom plans first land-based SMR for Russian Far East : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News". www.world-nuclear-news.org. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  15. ↑ "Rosatom to begin work on land-based SMR - Nuclear Engineering International". www.neimagazine.com. 3 February 2016. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  16. ↑ "The RITM-200N reactor as a terrestrial unit". Nuclear Engineering International. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  17. ↑ "Uzbekistan SMR plant construction preparations under way". World Nuclear News. 2024-06-28. Archived from the original on 2024-10-20. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  18. ↑ "Uzatom and Rosatom launch work on SMR nuclear project in Uzbekistan | Enerdata". www.enerdata.net. 2024-09-17. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  19. ↑ "Nornickel and Rosatom to look into nuclear power potential in Norilsk - News and releases". Nornickel. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
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