TVEL to supply lithium-7 for Brazil's nuclear units
Once the contract is concluded, the plan is to deliver the products - produced by TVEL subsidiary, the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant - by the end of 2023.
Lithium-7 is used as an additive in the primary coolant of pressurised water reactors (PWRs) to maintain water chemistry, counteracting the corrosive effects of boric acid and minimising corrosion in steam generators of PWRs. According to World Nuclear Association's Lithium Information Paper, it is also used in the manufacture of chemical reagents for nuclear power engineering, and as a basic component for preparation of nuclear grade ion-exchange membranes which are used in PWR coolant water treatment facilities.
Mikhail Metelkin, director of the special chemistry business area of TVEL, which is the fuel company part of Russia's Rosatom, said: "The Novosibirsk Plant of Chemical Concentrates has been specialising in the production of various lithium compounds for more than 60 years. The enterprise operates modern high-tech production, which provides a high degree of chemical purity in accordance with the requirements of customers."
Brazil has two nuclear power reactors at Angra, both PWRs, and has set out plans for more capacity in the years ahead, including the resumption of work on a third unit at Angra.
