U.S.-Russian Cooperative Efforts to Decommission Russian Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs)

Transcription

1 U.S.-Russian Cooperative Efforts to Decommission Russian Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) Stephen J. Porter LLNL-PRES-XXXXXX This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by under Contract DE-AC52-07NA Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC

2 Presentation Agenda History of Russian RTGs Initiation of U.S.- Russian Cooperation RTG Decommissioning Process Ministry of Defense (MOD) RTGs Ministry of Transport (MOT) RTGs Logistics and Challenges International Involvement Accomplishments 2

3 History of Russian RTGs RTG = Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators Electricity generated using dissimilar metals at different temperatures (e.g. thermocouple effect) Autonomous operation Strontium 90 (Sr-90) as radioactive heat source (RHS) From 1970s-1990s the Soviet Union and subsequently the Russian Federation deployed RTGs More than 1,000 installed at lighthouses, navigation beacons, other remote sites RTGs in field exceeded their service life after 10+ years Decision was made to decommission RTGs due to security and environmental concerns 3

4 External View and Cross Section of Beta-M RTG 4

5 RTG Types and Activity Levels Type of RTG Sr-90 activity, Ci Sr-90 activity, Bq IEU-1 465, Е+16 Gorn 173, Е+15 IEU-2M 116, Е+15 Efir-MA 104, Е+15 IEU-2 100, Е+15 Gong 46, Е+15 Beta-M 35, Е+15 5

6 Initiation of U.S.- Russian Cooperation 2002: Discussions began between U.S. and Russia 2003: Agreement reached to remove MOT RTGs along the Northern Sea Route (NSR) Initiated comprehensive RTG inventory Expanded effort to include Russian Navy RTGs in Far East RTG projects managed by U.S. Department of Energy First U.S.-sponsored RTG recovery completed in : Replacement alternative power sources (APSs) were researched (e.g. solar technologies, wind generators, etc.) Pilot programs conducted in Baltics and Far East Solar powered systems, LED lamps U.S. funded security upgrades at RTG dismantlement facilities early in program 6

7 RTG Decommissioning Process Survey RTGs in the field Certify for removal & transport Remove RTGs from the sites Transport RTGs to consolidation points, then to either interim storage locations or disassembly facility Disassemble RTGs down to sealed sources RHS (Radioactive Heat Source) RHB (Radioactive Heat Block) problematic RTGs Dispose of sources at Mayak (long term storage) Replace RTGs with APS units (e.g. solar-powered systems) 7

8 Lifecycle of RTG Removal, Disassembly and Disposal of Sources 8

9 Example of RTG Interim Storage DalRAO 1Storage Facility in Russian Far East 9

10 Ministry of Defense RTGs Removal, Replacement, and Monitoring 194 RTGs located in Russian Far East when U.S. got involved 2006: Finished construction of interim storage facility (DalRAO 1) 4,000 sq m (consists of checkpoint, storage facility, & fence) Stores up to 250 RTGs for 50 years : U.S.-Russia recovered 134 RTGs from the field and moved them to DalRAO 1 Some financing provided by Canada 108 of these sites required APS units Concurrently with U.S. support, the Kurchatov Institute developed a monitoring system for 79 RTGs located in the Baltic region All Baltic RTGs were removed by 2011 so monitoring systems were decommissioned 10

11 RTG Removal and Replacement Far East RTG removal (in sling) Anivasite -3 RTGs removed Loading RTGs at Nyivo Lighthouse at Putyatina retrofitted with APS Solar panels at Aniva site 11

12 Ministry of Transport RTGs Removal, Replacement, and Monitoring : U.S.-Russia recovered 127 RTGs along the NSR Some financing provided by Canada JSC NITFA was Russian integrating contractor : U.S.-Russia recovered 184 RTGs along the NSR RTG activities extended from Chukotka region in the east to the Taymyr and Yamal peninsulas in the west NRC Kurchatov Institute was Russian integrating contractor Very challenging logistics required to complete RTG recoveries within the Arctic Circle APS units installed at sites when necessary APS units required special components to withstand the extreme conditions (e.g. Arctic-rated electrolyte) 12

13 RTG Removal and Replacement Northern Sea Route IL-76 to transport RTGs Omni-directional LED RTGs (barge to ship) Removal at Petra YuzhnySite (Taymyr Peninsula) Solar panel replacements 13

14 Logistics and Challenges Logistics varied greatly depending on geography, climate, required certifications, and cost effectiveness Various transportation methods used Short or medium haul transport: o Small tractors, self-propelled barges, helicopters, trucks Long haul transport: o Planes (e.g. IL-76), hydrographic vessels, trains, convoys Modifications made to equipment Trucks (e.g. Kamaz) retrofitted for harsh climate and rough terrain, including ice roads Long haul transport vehicles retrofitted with security systems Dealing with wildlife also a challenge (e.g. polar bears) 14

15 Logistics Helicopters used for short and medium range transport RTGs being loaded onto railcar RTGs being loaded onto ship 15

16 International Involvement 2005: IAEA Contact Expert Group (CEG) held in Oslo, Norway Areas of responsibility determined Donor countries volunteered to address specific regions Avoided duplication of effort ICWG (International Coordination Working Group) on RTGs later established Russia chairman; U.S. co-chair Donor countries included Norway, France, Finland, Sweden, Canada, and the U.S. Currently the ICWG only consists of U.S. and Russia since other countries completed their RTG activities 16

17 Accomplishments (to date) 482 RTGs recovered throughout Russia 295 APS units manufactured, more than 220 installed in the field Ancillary activities: Construction of interim storage sites Creation of comprehensive RTG/APS database Manufacture of transportation containers, overpacks, canisters U.S. organizations involved: DOE/NNSA s Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) Multiple national laboratories (i.e. ANL, LLNL, ORNL, NNSS, SNL) Primary Russian organizations involved: NRC Kurchatov Institute, JSC NIITFA, JSC Isotope, FSUE Hydrographic Enterprise, Russian Navy, Russian Ministry of Defense, Rosatom, Rostekhnadzor, JSC Pacific Construction and Production Company (TSPK), JSC Technomarine, Mayak Production Association, RosRAO, Chukotavia, Taymir, Atomspectrans, Volga Dnepr 17

18 RTGs Recovered Under U.S.-Russian Cooperation Number of RTGs per year

19 RTG Locations Note: 4 RTGs in Antarctica not shown on maps 19

20 Outcome of U.S.-Russian Cooperation Over the Past Decade Hundreds of RTGs with high-activity Strontium 90 sources decommissioned in the Russian Far East, Northern Sea Route, Baltic Sea Region, etc. More than 20 million curies of radiological material secured Only 20 RTGs remain in the field 20

21 Thank you (Questions) 21