Rosatom Plans RITM-200 Land-Based, Small-Scale Nuclear Reactor

March 30, 2020 (EIRNS)—Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom has announced its plan to start construction of RITM-200, a 200 MW land-based reactor, in 2024 and hopes to commission it in 2027, Nuclear Energy International reported on March 24. Although Rosatom does not provide details of its SMR design, its website site says the “design is scalable.”

Ryan Collyer, acting CEO of Rosatom Central and Southern Africa, presented details of the RITM-200 reactor at the March 3-4 Africa Energy Indaba, telling the delegates that “Rosatom SMRs could be a good alternative to diesel generators, providing reliable power supply and preventing harmful emissions at a competitive price. They could also be used for desalination, heat production and supply of electricity.” He also pointed out that Rosatom has already constructed six RITM-200 reactors and two of those onboard the Arktika icebreaker have already attained criticality.

Rusatom Overseas President Evgeny Pakermanov said in an interview with Rosatom Country that low-power nuclear plants have good prospects in different countries, including in Europe. “We are already seeing serious competition in this segment from leading vendors and are ready to offer cost-effective and reference technologies,” he said.

The designed RITM-200 has a dual circuit with four steam generators integrated into the body of the reactor. The integrated layout reduces the material consumption and dimensions of the installation, reduces the risk of leaks from the primary reactor loop, and facilitates installation and dismantling of the installation. Four main circulation pumps are located around the reactor vessel. It uses uranium fuel enriched to 20% with a fuel reload every seven years.