PJSC Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrate Plant (NZHK) is a major global manufacturer of nuclear components for nuclear power plants and research centers. In a number of areas (for example, the synthesis of lithium, the manufacture of uranium fuel), it occupies a leading position in the global market. It is part of the TVEL group of companies, a structural unit of Rosatom.
Prerequisites for the creation
In the late 40s, mankind entered the nuclear era. After the Americans used atomic bombs in Japan, the Soviet Union entered the arms race, developing its own deadly weapon. However, an atom serves not only for destruction. First of all, it is a source of relatively cheap electricity.
The Soviet government nurtured plans to build a series of nuclear power plants, but for them to function, they needed specially processed (enriched) nuclear fuel and chemical components. To obtain them on an industrial scale, the Council of Ministers in 1948 adopted a resolution on the construction of the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrate Plant.
The first steps
It was assumed that the construction will be carried out on the site, which was originally intended for a new automobile plant. It was a territory in the Kalininsky district of Novosibirsk with an area of about 240 hectares with five unfinished production buildings.
The construction of the Novosibirsk plant of chemical concentrates began in 1949. Moreover, not only industrial buildings and engineering structures were built, but also residential buildings, social and cultural facilities.
Work days
The main goal of the plant was the manufacture of fuel cells for the first Soviet nuclear power plants and research reactors. The technological process included all operations for the chemical, metallurgical and mechanical processing of uranium ore into finished fuel cells.
At that time, the NZHK (Novosibirsk) consisted of four main uranium processing workshops and one experimental production workshop, which was commissioned in 1950, and the first major product was released the following year. Initially, production levels and margins were quite low. This is due to the lack of special equipment, the imperfection and complexity of production schemes, the use of expensive materials and chemicals, the high complexity and health hazard.
In a short time, the staff of the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrate Plant, in collaboration with industry institutes, did a great job of developing and implementing innovative technological processes and installing new production equipment. This has significantly improved product quality and production volumes. In the period from 1960 to 1968, the ratio of defects in fuel cells manifested during their operation in nuclear reactors decreased from 5.2% to 0.07%. In 1968, production increased 7.5 times from the original, and the cost of conversion operations decreased 13.8 times.
New solutions
Later, a large-scale lithium production was created at the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrate Plant. This is a technological complex capable of processing raw materials to produce high-purity lithium and lithium salts, which are used in many industries. These products contributed to the company's entry into the world market. Extensive experience in handling fissile materials has allowed the start of the production of fuel cells and fuel assemblies for research reactors based on the cermet composition of nuclear fuel in the form of thin-walled three-layer pipes.
In the 70-80s, the Novosibirsk Petrochemical Plant significantly expanded its activity in the production of fuel for nuclear power plants in Novosibirsk. It was a time of rapid growth in Soviet nuclear energy. In 1980, the plant installed equipment for the mass production of fuel cells and fuel assemblies for powerful reactors of the VVER-1000 series. In 1997, the team manufactured the first batch of fuel assemblies for VVER-440.
Today
The NZHK product range is constantly diversified in both the nuclear and non-nuclear fields. For example, in 2006, the plant commissioned the first line for the production of zeolite catalysts that are used for fractionation of hydrocarbons (oil and gas). In 2011, the company began production of uranium-aluminum rods, which are used to produce medical isotopes.
Currently, the plant is engaged in the production of:
- Uranium compounds.
- Lithium (including lithium-7), its compounds.
- Zeolite catalysts.
- Nuclear fuel.
- Process gases (oxygen, hydrogen).
The company continues to grow dynamically. Investors are actively interested in the shares of the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrate Plant. Currently, PJSC NCCP is an affiliate of the fuel company TVEL, specializing in the extraction of natural uranium, production and supply of nuclear fuel for various power reactors.