The very first nuclear power plant in the world

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:43

It's always nice to be first in something. So our country, while still part of the USSR, was the first in many undertakings. A striking example is the construction of nuclear power plants. It is clear that many people were involved in its development and construction. But still, the world's first nuclear power plant was located on the territory that is now in Russia.

Prehistory of the emergence of nuclear power plants

It started with the use of the atom for military purposes. Before the world's first nuclear power plant was built, many doubted that nuclear energy could be channeled into a peaceful direction.

First, the atomic bomb was created. Everyone knows the sad experience of using it in Japan. Then, a test of an atomic bomb created by Soviet scientists was carried out at the test site.

After some time, the USSR began to produce plutonium in an industrial reactor. All conditions have been created for obtaining enriched uranium on a large scale.

It was at this time, in the autumn of 1949, that an active discussion began on how to organizean enterprise where nuclear energy will be used to generate electricity and heat.

Theoretical development and creation of the project was entrusted to the Laboratory "B". At that time it was headed by D. I. Blokhintsev. Scientific Council under the leadership of I. V. Kurchatov proposed a nuclear reactor that ran on enriched uranium. Beryllium was used as a moderator. Cooling was carried out using helium. Other variants of reactors were also considered. For example, using fast and intermediate neutrons. Other cooling methods were also allowed.

In the spring of 1950, a decree of the Council of Ministers was issued. It indicated that it was necessary to build three experimental reactors:

• first - uranium-graphite with water cooling;
• second - helium-graphite, which was supposed to use gas cooling;
• third - uranium-beryllium also with gas cooler.

The rest of the current year was allotted for the creation of a technical project. Using these three reactors, the power of the world's first nuclear power plant was about 5000 kW.

Where and by whom were they created?

Of course, in order to erect these buildings, it was necessary to decide on a place. Thus, the first nuclear power plant in the world was built in the city of Obninsk.

Construction work was entrusted to the Khimmash Research Institute. At that moment, it was led by N. Dollezhal. By education, he is a construction chemist who was far from nuclear physics. But still, his knowledge proved useful during the construction of structures.

With joint efforts, and a few more institutions joined the work a little later, the world's first nuclear power plant was built. She has more than one creator. There are many of them, because such a large-scale project cannot be created alone. But Kurchatov is called the main developer, and Dollezhal is called the builder.

Construction progress and launch preparations

In parallel with the creation of the world's first nuclear power plant, stands were developed in the laboratory. They were prototypes of power plants, which were subsequently used on nuclear submarines.

In the summer of 1950, preparatory work began. They continued for one year. The result of all the work was the very first nuclear power plant in the world. Her original design remained largely unchanged.

The following adjustments have been made:

• The uranium-beryllium reactor was built with a lead-bismuth cooler;
• The helium-graphite reactor was replaced by a pressurized water reactor, which formed the basis of all subsequent nuclear power plants, and was also used on icebreakers and submarines.

In June 1951, a decree was issued to build an experimental power plant. At the same time, all the necessary materials for the uranium-graphite reactor were delivered. And in July, the construction of a water-cooled nuclear power plant began.

First launch bringing electricity to communities

The start of loading the reactor core took place in May 1954. Namely, the 9th. On the evening of the same day, a chain reaction began in it. The fission of uranium nuclei occurred in such a way that itmaintained independently. This was the so-called physical launch of the station.

A month and a half later, in June 1954, the power start-up of the nuclear power plant was completed. This consisted in the fact that steam was supplied to the turbogenerator. The world's first nuclear power plant started operating on June 26 at half past five in the evening. It functioned for 48 years. Her role was to give impetus to the emergence of similar power plants around the world.

The next day, electric current was given to the city of the world's first nuclear power plant (1954) - in Obninsk near Moscow.

Pushing into more nuclear power plants around the world

It had a relatively small capacity, only 5 MW. One loading of the reactor was enough for it to operate at full capacity for 3 months.

And despite this, the Obninsk power plant attracted the attention of people from all over the world. Numerous delegations came to the city of the world's first nuclear power plant. Their goal was to see with their own eyes the miracle created by the Soviet people. In order to get electricity, you do not need to use natural resources. Without coal, oil or gas, a turbogenerator was set in motion. And the nuclear power plant provided electricity to a city with a population of about 40 thousand people. At the same time, only nuclear fuel was consumed. Its quantity was 2 tons per year.

This circumstance was the impetus for the construction of similar stations almost all over the world. Their power was enormous. And yet, the beginning was here - in small Obninsk, where the atom became a hard worker, throwing off his military uniform.

When nuclear power plantfinished work?

The first nuclear power plant in Russia was shut down on April 29, 2002. There were economic reasons for this. Her power wasn't big enough.

During her work, data were obtained that confirmed all theoretical calculations. All technical and engineering solutions have justified.

This made it possible in 10 years (1964) to launch the Beloyarsk NPP. Moreover, its power was 50 times greater than that of Obninskaya.

Where else are nuclear reactors used?

In parallel with the creation of a nuclear power plant, a group led by Kurchatov designed a nuclear reactor that could be installed on an icebreaker. This task was as important as providing electricity, without wasting gas and coal.

The USSR, as well as Russia, was important for the longest possible time to extend navigation in the seas that lie in the north. Nuclear-powered icebreakers could provide year-round navigation in these territories.

Such developments were started in 1953, and six years later the Lenin nuclear icebreaker was sent on its maiden voyage. He regularly served in the Arctic for 30 years.

No less important was the creation of a nuclear submarine. And she was launched in the 57th year. At the same time, this submarine made a trip under the ice to the North Pole and returned to base. The name of this submarine was "Leninsky Komsomol".

NPP environmental impact

This question interested peoplealready when the first nuclear power plant in the world was built in the city of Obninsk. It is now known that the impact on the environment is carried out in three directions:

- thermal emissions;

- a gas that is also radioactive;

- liquid radioactive waste around the nuclear power plant.

Moreover, the release of radiation occurs even during normal operation of the reactors. Such constant releases of radioactive substances into the environment occur under the control of NPP personnel. They then spread in the air and the ground, penetrating into plants and organisms of animals and people.

It is worth noting that not only nuclear power plants are a source of radiation waste. Medicine, science, industry and agriculture also contribute to the overall standings. All waste is supposed to be neutralized in a special way. And then they are to be buried.