Nuclear desalination in Kazakhstan

The nuclear plant operated for 26 years, accumulating more than 160 000 h of power operation. The reactor was shut down for 20 days twice a year for refuelling and scheduled maintenance. The average load factor achieved was 85%. No sodium leaks were found in either the primary or secondary loop. The analysis of tritium in the nuclear desalination plant streams showed it to be at the background level, close to that found in the sea or in groundwater. Still, measures were taken to reduce the tritium concentration in the distillates for preparing potable water. No adverse effect on the environment and no contamination of the steam and water were experienced. The radiological characteristics of the product water became no different from those of the water produced from the conventional desalination processes. The experience of the MAEC plant demonstrated the feasibility and reliability for large scale desalination cogeneration with an NPP.