Validation of the priorities for complete salvaging and ecological rehabilitation of objects of the nuclear-powered fleet

An approach to validation of the priority problems and measures which must be taken first for complete salvaging of the nuclear-powered ice breakers in the northwest region of Russia is proposed and implemented. A list of the priority measures which must become the foundation for formulating projects financed by Russia or donor countries is presented. __________ Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 101, No. 1, pp. 11–17, July, 2006.     

Analysis of the radioactive contamination of the environment due to decommissioned objects of the nuclear-powered fleet in northwestern Russia

The risk of radioactive contamination of the environment is assessed using a comprehensive approach and examination of the questions, including analysis of the structure of the objects and the interaction between them, determination of the sources of the real and potential danger, development of scenarios for accidents and assessment of their probability, the radiation consequences of exposure of workers, the general public, and the environment during salvaging of the nuclear-powered fleet in the Russian northwest. A systematization of the risk is made and the distribution according to the degree of danger is determined. __________ Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 101, No. 1, pp. 23–34, July, 2006.     

Analysis of the national legislation governing the complete salvaging of nuclear-powered submarines

The normative-legal documents pertaining to the field investigated are analyzed. It is noted that they correspond to the generally acknowledged approaches to ensuring nuclear and radiation safety. The inconsistencies between different forms of regulation are investigated. The changes in the normative-legal regulation and ensuring safety made in connection with the introduction of the law “On technical regulation” are examined. The discrepancies between the different parts of the federal legislation are indicated, and the importance of constant monitoring of the normative legal base for complete salvaging of nuclear-powered submarines is noted. __________ Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 101, No. 1, pp. 17–22, July, 2006.     

Handling toxic wastes during salvaging and rehabilitation of nuclear objects in north-west Russia

Systematized information on toxic wastes produced during salvaging and rehabilitation of decommissioned nuclear and radiation-hazardous objects in the nuclear-powered naval fleet in north-west Russia is presented. The dynamics of their accumulation up to 2025 is estimated. Substantiation is given for the need to re-examine the existing system of handling wastes and searching for new solutions for decreasing the ecological risk by systematically reprocessing or eliminating them together with gaining an ecological advantage. Such an approach requires upgrading and developing infrastructure at the salvaging enterprises and objects undergoing rehabilitation. Several strategies are examined. The advantages and disadvantages of each strategy are evaluated according to safety and cost factors and the most acceptable strategy is chosen. A functional model is created. A list of projects and technical means is presented, and the time periods and costs required for implementation are estimated. The priority directions of work are identified. Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 105, No. 6, pp. 345–352, December, 2008.     

Reactor systems developed by OKBM in the development of the atomic energy industry, nuclear power, and the nuclear-powered fleet in Russia

The various types of reactor systems which OKBM designed for different purposes over the 60 years of its existence are reviewed: commercial uranium-graphite and heavy-water reactors, reactors and steam-generating systems for naval and for civilian (icebreakers) ships, fast reactors, low-and medium-capacity reactor systems for regional power generation, and high-temperature gas-cooled reactors. The results of work performed by OKBM on the development of the cores of propulsion reactors and alternative fuel for VVéR-1000 reactors are also presented. __________ Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 102, No. 1, pp. 3–21, January, 2007.     

Deactivation of the first loop of a decommissioned dual-purpose industrial reactor

Siberian Chemical Combine. Institute of Physical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences. Scientific Design Department, All-Union Scientific-Research and Design Institute of Power Engineering. Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 73, No. 5, pp. 365–370, November, 1992.     

Radiation characteristics of fuel residues in the graphite stacks of decommissioned uranium-graphite reactors

State Science Center, Russian Federation, GNTs RF, Moscow. Power Physics Institute, FéI, Obninsk. Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 78, No. 6, pp. 396–400, June 1995.     

Radioecological consequences of a radiation accident in a nuclear-powered submarine in Chazhma cove

Conclusions The results of field observations and numerous radioecological inspections show that the submarine accident in Chazhma Cove in 1985 had no measurable radiation effect on Vladivostok and its beaches or the town of Shkotovo-22. The residual long-lived radioactive contamination of the site and bottom deposits in the region of Chazhma Cove is strictly localized and will not lead to serious radioecological consequences. Studies of the radioecological consequences of the accident will have to be continued in the future, including in order to determine more accurately the boundaries of the radioactive deposits in the sea water and the rates at which the radioactive deposits spread over the bottom of the bay and the inlet. Institute of Nuclear Reactors, Russian Scientific Center "Kurchatovskii institut." Naval Fleet, Vladivostok. Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 76, No. 2, pp. 158–160, February, 1994.     

Fast engineering methods for forecasting the induced activity in the materials of reactors when they are decommissioned

Moscow Construction Engineering Institute. Moscow Engineering Physics Institute. Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 73, No. 6, pp. 442-446, December, 1992.     

French experiences and perspectives on plutonium recycling in the existing power fleet

Treatment and recycling has been implemented in France from the very beginning of nuclear energy deployment. With the oil shocks in 1973 and 1979, very large scale industrial deployment of LWRs has then been conducted, with now 58 PWRs producing 80% of the total electricity. Modern large scale treatment and recycling facilities have been constructed in the same period: La Hague treatment facilities and MELOX recycling plant. Important industrial feedback results from operation and optimization of fuel cycle backend facilities, which is summarized in the paper. Then are discussed perspectives with recycling.     

Reactor systems in nuclear-powered ships — present status,service life extension,and prospects

The main results of the operation of nuclear-powered ships (icebreakers) and their reactor systems are presented. Information about the operating time of the ship reactors and the results of operating individual pieces of equipment are presented. The status, results, and plans for work on extending the overhaul period and service life of ship reactors systems are described. __________ Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 102, No. 1, pp. 26–31, January, 2007.     

一铀矿山废石堆场退役治理后环境放射性监测

对某退役治理后的铀矿山废石堆场按20m×20m网格均匀布点进行贯穿辐射剂量率监测和地表222Rn析出率监测,报道了监测结果,并对仪器的宇宙射线响应值扣除方法、γ辐射剂量率与222Rn析出率关系、覆盖土中添加阻滞剂CaO对覆土掩埋治理效果的影响进行了探讨,对铀矿山环境治理具有参考价值。     

Pyrochemical method of salvaging weapons plutonium in oxide for fabricating mixed fuel for fast reactors

Experimental results of investigations of pyrochemical conversion of weapons plutonium into plutonium oxide for fabricating fast-reactor fuel are presented. Weapons plutonium was hydrogenized by hydrogen at 220°C, after which the plutonium hydride obtained was acidified at 550–560°C with the formation of PuO₂. To increase fire and explosion safety of the process, a mixture of oxygen with nitrogen, helium, or argon was used or nitriding with nitrogen and oxidation of plutonium mononitride were introduced. The particle size of the plutonium oxide powders obtained was less than 15 μm. The powders showed poor flowability, but after granulation they were suitable for fabricating kernels with mixed fuel. The gallium was removed by reduction of Ga₂O₃ by hydrogen to Ga₂O, which was sublimated. The mixed-fuel kernels sintered at 1600–1700°C in a hydrogen atmosphere contained <0.001 wt.% gallium, and their density was 94–97% of the theoretical value.     

Optimization of the technology and a pilot reprocessing of liquid radioactive wastes from the pacific ocean fleet

Liquid radioactive wastes are produced during the operation and utilization of submarines. A shipborne station for reprocessing radioactive waters on the service ship “Pinega” has been developed and implemented for the purification of wastes from the Far East. The stricter quality requirements for purified water and the need to purify the wastes to ecologically safe standards for discharging into the sea made it necessary to modernize the station with maximum utilization of existing equipment. New solutions to technological problems, making it possible to purify 200 m³ of liquid wastes to the standards for discharging into the open ocean and to bitumenize the secondary wastes (the charge processed and hydroxide slags), have been developed. 1 figure, 3 tables, 7 references. Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 86, No. 1, pp. 27–32, January, 1999.     

Quantitative criteria for rehabilitation of the territory of shore servicing bases of the naval fleet

A variant of the application of the norms and regulations currently operating in our country which ensure radiation safety for workers, the general public, and the environment is presented to valdiate the criteria for rehabilitation of the territory of the shore servicing bases of the naval fleet. The main normative-legal documentation on the rehabilitation of the radiation dangerous objects is analyzed and the international and domestic experience in performing such work, including radiation accidents, is examined. The quantitative criteria used in practice for the residual radioactive contamination of industrial objects and housing developments and the environment are singled out, and an attempt is made, on the basis of a generalization of the information available, to adapt individual tenets in the interests of rehabilitation of radiation dangerous shore-based objects of the fleet. __________ Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 101, No. 1, pp. 35–49, July, 2006.