Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 14, 2026

ADE-2

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. The RBMK series nuclear reactors are based on the ADE series reactors.

Last revised
Jun 14, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
327 w
Citations
13
Source
ADE-2
Reactor conceptGraphite-moderated reactor1
StatusClosed in 20101
LocationZheleznogorsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Main parameters of the reactor core
Fuel (fissile material)Uranium
Neutron energy spectrumThermal-neutron reactor1
Primary moderatorGraphite1
Primary coolantwater-cooled1
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 The RBMK series nuclear reactors are based on the ADE series reactors.

History

Construction started in December 1963. The reactor was shut down in April 2010.23

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

See also

References

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

Graphite-moderated reactor