Ist Group Establishes Specialist Nuclear Energy Su
Pretoria, 3 December - IST Group, which pioneered the development of the
Pebble Bed Modular Reactor concept in South Africa, has established a new
subsidiary, IST Nuclear Power Systems, to focus on its further involvement
in this project.
Group chief executive Harry Coetzee said the PBMR project had advanced to
the stage where the substantial effort IST was investing in it needed to be
accommodated in a distinct and dedicated structure. IST's PBMR team
formerly functioned as part of the group's Industrial division.
Following the creation of IST Nuclear, IST Industrial will focus on the
design and supply of superior-quality fluid systems to major industrial and
mining projects. Giel de Lange will head IST Nuclear and will be succeeded
by Andr Strydom as managing director of IST Industrial.
Since 1990, IST has committed significant funding and manpower to the
conceptualisation, design and development of a direct-cycle, high-
temperature, helium-cooled nuclear reactor for commercial applications.
While the pebble bed reactor heat source was originally developed in
Germany, the direct-cycle power conversion unit which distinguishes the
South African PBMR concept was IST's innovation.
Having recognised the potential scale of the PBMR project, IST presented the
concept to Eskom, which since 1993 has been further refining and developing
it as part of its integrated electricity planning process. During this
process, IST carried out a pre-feasibility study and a techno-economic study
on behalf of Eskom, and has been actively involved in the development of
engineering concepts for PBMR.
In the recently completed detailed feasibility study, IST was responsible
for the basic design and costing of PBMR's three major support systems,
namely fuel handling and storage; reactivity control and shutdown; and the
gas systems. It is IST's objective to become the supplier of these systems
for the commercially produced PBMR plants, should the concept reach that
stage.
Issued by du Plessis Associates on behalf of IST Group.
dPA contact: Helen McKane on tel:011-728-4701,
mobile:082 330 2034, fax:011-728 2547/8 or e-mail: ist@dpapr.com.
Website : www.istltd.com
For further information call
Andr Strydom Giel de Lange
012-348-8705 012-348-8705
082 468 8447 082 558 8979
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