The soviets have developed two different types of fast reactor layout;
the loop type represented by the BN-350,
and the pool type common to BN-600,
BN-800, and BN-1600 designs. In the loop configuration, the intermediate
heat exchangers and pumps of the primary circuit are located outside
the reactor vessel. In the pool type, virtually all equipment in the primary circuit
is located inside a single vessel. BN-600 has three parallel heat transport loops
each of which with two intermediate heat exchangers and a main circulation pump.
Although the BN-800 power output
is higher than that of BN-600, most of the reactor components are similar,
major changes being in the balance-of-plant system.
BN-800 reactor uses a traditional homogeneous core with mixed uranium-plutonium
core while BN-600 uses uranium-oxide only.
