The RMB project

Abstract

The Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN) decided to construct a new research reactor, named RMB (Brazilian Multipurpose Reactor). It is a 30 MW open pool-type research reactor using low enriched uranium fuel, and several associated facilities and laboratories. To establish an infrastructure for producing fuel assemblies for RMB operation and uranium targets for Mo-99 production, the RMB technical secretary has developed a coordinated project for the fuel cycle management system, putting together the fuel technology actors in Brazil. The goals of this coordinated project were: (i) to have a centrifuge cascade enriching uranium up to 20 wt% with the capacity to supply RMB yearly needs; (ii) to upgraded the CNEN existing infrastructure to produce nuclear fuel assemblies and uranium targets for the RMB yearly needs; (iii) to produce a set of fuel assemblies for a real RMB mockup core at the IPEN/MB-01 Critical Facility of CNEN. The RMB project design incorporates structures, systems and components (SSC) for interim storage of spent fuels for the hole plant lifetime. This paper presents details of the coordinated project that gives support and sustainability to the RMB fuel cycle supply and the spent fuel SSC designed.