Study of the dynamic characteristics of the first unit of the I. V. Kurchatov Beloyarsk Atomic-Power Station

Results of a study of nonstationary processes in the I. V. Kurchatov Beloyarsk Atomic-Power Station, using an electrical analog machine together with the actually-operating control apparatus, are presented. This enabled the dynamic characteristics of the power unit to be obtained and the optimum parameters for setting the main controls of the station to be selected.The theoretical characteristics of the reactor were also compared with experimental results measured directly.Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 131–137, August, 1965     

The problems of mass transfer and formation of deposits of corrosion products on fuel assemblies of a VVER-1200 reactor

On the basis of examination of materials published both in Russia and abroad, as well as their own investigations, the authors explain the reasons for the occurrence of such effects as AOA (Axial Offset Anomalies) and an increase in the coolant pressure difference in the core of nuclear reactors of the VVER type. To detect the occurrence of the AOA effect, the authors suggest using the specific activity of ⁵⁸Co in the coolant. In the VVER-1200 design the thermohydraulic regime for fuel assemblies in the first year of their service life involves slight boiling of the coolant in the upper part of the core, which may induce the occurrence of the AOA effect, intensification of corrosion of fuel claddings, and abnormal increase in deposition of corrosion products. Radiolysis of the water coolant in the boiling section (boiling in pores of deposits) may intensify not only general corrosion but also a localized (nodular) one. As a result of intensification of the corrosion processes and growth of deposits, deterioration of the radiation situation in the rooms of the primary circuit of a VVER-1200 reactor as compared to that at nuclear power plants equipped with reactors of the VVER-1000 type is possible. Recommendations for preventing the AOA effect at nuclear power plants with VVER-1200 reactors on the matter of the direction of further investigations are made.     

Exponential Queuing Network with Dependent Servicing, Negative Customers, and Modification of the Customer Type

The open exponential queuing network with negative customers (G-network) was considered.For each arriving customer, given was a set of its random parameters such as the route defining the sequence of network nodes passed by the customer, route length, size, and servicing duration at each stage of the route. It was assumed that the negative customer arriving to the sth node with the probabilities _s and _s ⁺ either kills the positive customer in a randomly chosen server or does not affect it at all and with the probability _s ^– =1 – _s – _s ⁺ transforms it into a negative customer which after an exponentially distributed time arrives to the sth node with the given probability. The multidimensional stationary probability distribution of the network states was proved to be representable in the multiplicative form.     

The CLAS forward electromagnetic calorimeter

The CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) at Jefferson Lab utilizes six iron-free superconducting coils to provide an approximately toroidal magnetic field. The six sectors are instrumented individually to form six independent spectrometers. The forward region (8°<θ<45°) of each sector is equipped with a lead–scintillator electromagnetic sampling calorimeter (EC), 16 radiation lengths thick, using a novel triangular geometry with stereo readout. With its good energy and position resolution, the EC is used to provide the primary electron trigger for CLAS. It is also used to reject pions, reconstruct π° and η decays and detect neutrons. This paper treats the design, construction and performance of the calorimeter.