ADE-2

ADE-2
Reactor concept	Graphite-moderated reactor[1]
Status	Closed in 2010[1]
Location	Zheleznogorsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Main parameters of the reactor core
Fuel (fissile material)	Uranium
Neutron energy spectrum	Thermal-neutron reactor[1]
Primary moderator	Graphite[1]
Primary coolant	water-cooled[1]
Reactor usage

The ADE-2 is a dual use water-cooled thermal graphite-moderated reactor. The reactor was dual-purpose - producing weapons-grade plutonium and providing heat and electricity.^[2]

History

Construction started in December 1963. The reactor was shut down in April 2010.^[2][3]

The scope of decommissioning was much greater than with AD and ADE-1, which were single-purpose and performed only defense tasks.^[2]

In 2021 it was decided to make ADE-2 a museum exhibition.^[1]

Other similar types

	Start date	Shutdown date	Place	Purpose
AD	1958	1992	Zheleznogorsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai	plutonium production
ADE-1	1961	1992	Zheleznogorsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai	supposed to produce electricity in addition, but never did
ADE-3	1961	2008	Sibirskaya Nuclear Power Plant	dual purpose
ADE-4	1964	2008	Sibirskaya Nuclear Power Plant	dual purpose
ADE-5	1965	2008	Sibirskaya Nuclear Power Plant	dual purpose
I-1	1955	1990	Sibirskaya Nuclear Power Plant	dual purpose
EI-2	1958	1991	Sibirskaya Nuclear Power Plant	dual purpose

These two sources show slightly different date of start and shutdown.^{[4] [5]}

Legacy AD and ADE-1 are almost decommissioned. ADE-3, ADE-4, and ADE-5 were being decommissioned as of 2024.^[1]

See also

• MBIR - multi-loop research reactor intends to replace BOR-60. In construction since 2015, est. completion in 2027.
• RBMK - is a class of graphite-moderated nuclear power reactor designed and built by the Soviet Union.

References

1. "Russia's uranium-graphite ADE-2 reactor to become museum exhibit". www.neimagazine.com. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
2. "Russia starts decommissioning plutonium-producing reactor". www.world-nuclear-news.org. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
3. "Russia closes last weapons-grade plutonium plant". news.bbc.co.uk. 15 April 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
4. "Russia's ADE-2 industrial uranium-graphite reactor to become museum". www.neimagazine.com. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
5. "Powering innovation". www.nsenergybusiness.com. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2024.

External links

• Agreement between US and Russia on closing of ADE-2, ADE-4, ADE-5

Graphite-moderated reactor