Kazakh scientists in search of new energy resources

The low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel reactor was launched at the national nuclear center in Kurchatov. The scientific experiment is of a strategic nature and corresponds to the long-term programs of the International Atomic Energy Agency. In fact, this is a breakthrough event, both in Kazakhstan’s energy sector and in the world as a whole. Domestic physicists are currently studying the characteristics of the new reactor core and together with their counterparts from Russia and the U.S. intend to improve the performance of energy generation using a new type of fuel. The tests are scheduled to be completed in 2023.

“We have successfully performed a physical start-up of the IVG.1M research reactor using LEU fuel. It is symbolic that exactly 30 years ago, in the year of the establishment of the National Nuclear Center, the physical start-up of the IVG.1 reactor was carried out, at that time the highly enriched fuel was still used. The next stage will be the power start-up of the reactor and the experimental determination of required characteristics of the new core, after which the IVG.1M reactor will be commissioned,” said Erlan Batyrbekov, Director General of the Kazakh National Nuclear Center.

Translation by Assem Zhanmukhanova

Editing by Saule Mukhamejanova