Lead-bismuth cooled reactors: history and the potential of development. Part 1. History of development

Abstract

The article is devoted to the history of the creation of lead-bismuth-cooled reactor units (RUs) for nuclear-powered submarines (NPSs), which were developed in the absence of the necessary knowledge and experience, as well as under strict deadlines for completing work, which practically excluded the possibility of carrying out related full-scale scientific research. This led to a number of failures at the stage of developing this unique technology, the causes of which were later identified and eliminated. The authors explain the reasons for choosing a lead-bismuth eutectic alloy as a coolant, outline the main scientific and technical problems solved in the course of developing a lead-bismuth-cooled reactor unit, including those related to the coolant and corrosion resistance of steels, consider issues of ensuring radiation safety during work related to the release of polonium, ensuring the reliability of steam generators, incidents and accidents that occurred during the period of operation and ways to eliminate their causes.