Russia
Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant (NCCP)
This page is part of the Facilities Collection.
Established in September 1948, NCCP initially produced fuel for the Soviet Union’s plutonium production reactors. Today, it is one of the largest TVEL companies manufacturing fuel for power and research reactors in Russia. 1 NCCP produces fuel assemblies for VVER-440 and VVER-1000 power reactors. This fuel is used in Russia’s power reactors and exported abroad by TVEL. 2
NCCP also manufactures highly-enriched uranium (HEU) and low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel assemblies for use in research reactors in Russia and abroad. It has produced fuel pins (EK-10, S-36); second generation fuels (VVR-M2, IRT-2M, MR, VVR-C); and third generation fuels (VVR-M5, IRT-3M, and IVV-10). 3 Additionally, the company manufactures higher density Uranium-Molybdenum fuel as part of the international Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors (RERTR) program that facilitates conversion of research and test reactors from HEU to LEU use. 4
NCCP is also the only company in Russia producing pure lithium materials, which are subsequently sold in domestic and foreign markets. 5
Glossary
- Research reactor
- Research reactor: Small fission reactors designed to produce neutrons for a variety of purposes, including scientific research, training, and medical isotope production. Unlike commercial power reactors, they are not designed to generate power.
- Highly enriched uranium (HEU)
- Highly enriched uranium (HEU): Refers to uranium with a concentration of more than 20% of the isotope U-235. Achieved via the process of enrichment. See entry for enriched uranium.
- Low enriched uranium (LEU)
- Low enriched uranium (LEU): Refers to uranium with a concentration of the isotope U-235 that is higher than that found in natural uranium but lower than 20% LEU (usually 3 to 5%). LEU is used as fuel for many nuclear reactor designs.
- RERTR program
- The Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors (RERTR) program, conceived in the wake of India’s first nuclear test in 1974, is a U.S.-led effort to reduce the use of HEU in civil research reactors exported during the Atoms for Peace Program. Under the program, the United States has worked to develop new LEU fuels, and to convert research reactors and critical assemblies to these fuels at home and abroad. The RERTR program was folded into the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) in 2004. See entry for the Global Threat Reduction Initiative.
Sources
- “О предприятии” [About the Enterprise], (ОАО) Новосибирский завод химконцентратов, НЗКХ [(OJSC) Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant (NCCP)], www.nccp.ru.
- “Производство энергетического ядерного топлива” [Production of Fuel for Nuclear Power], (ОАО) Новосибирский завод химконцентратов, НЗКХ [(OJSC) Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant (NCCP)], www.nccp.ru.
- “Производство исследовательского ядерного топлива” [Production of fuel for research reactors], (ОАО) Новосибирский завод химконцентратов, НЗКХ [(OJSC) Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant (NCCP)], www.nccp.ru.
- “Производство исследовательского ядерного топлива” [Production of fuel for research reactors], (ОАО) Новосибирский завод химконцентратов, НЗКХ [(OJSC) Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant (NCCP)], www.nccp.ru.
- “Литиевая продукция” [Lithium products], (ОАО) Новосибирский завод химконцентратов, НЗКХ [(OJSC) Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant, NCCP], www.nccp.ru.