Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom on has launched a tender to study the pyrochemical processing of used nuclear fuel from fast neutron reactors as part of the Proryv (Breakthrough project), RosTender.info reports.

Rosatom is ready to conclude a contract for RUB301 million ($4.7m) with the winner of the tender. 

Proposals from bidders will be accepted until 17 March and the results summarised on 24 March. 

A working group is due to present the results of the project in December 2020. 

The aim of the work is to experimentally test the main processes of pyrochemical processing of spent nuclear fuel (SNF), the tender documentation notes.

Scientists will work with several technologies for processing waste from experimental nuclear fuel developed as part of the Breakthrough project, a mixed nitride uranium-plutonium fuel (SNUP).

The Breakthrough project aims to demonstrate a closed nuclear fuel cycle. 

The project, based at the Siberian Chemical Combine in Seversk, comprises a fuel production/refabrication module for production of dense uranium-plutonium (nitride) fuel for fast reactors; a nuclear power plant with a lead cooled BREST OD-300 fast reactor; and a used fuel retreatment module. 

The project involves more than 30 organisations.

Pyrochemical reprocessing has also been pioneered at Russia's Research Institute for Atomic Reactors in Dimitrovgrad, where it is carried out on a pilot scale.