D. Yu. Erak

Comparison of microstructural features of radiation embrittlement of VVER-440 and VVER-1000 reactor pressure vessel steels

Comparative microstructural studies of both surveillance specimens and reactor pressure vessel (RPV) materials of VVER-440 and VVER-1000 light water reactor systems have been carried out, following irradiation to different fast neutron fluences and of the heat treatment for extended periods at the operating temperatures. It is shown that there are several microstructural features in the radiation embrittlement of VVER-1000 steels compared to VVER-440 RPV steels that can cause changes in the contributions of different radiation embrittlement mechanisms for VVER-1000 steel.

Interpretation of Accelerated Irradiation Results for Materials of WWER-1000 Reactor Pressure Vessels

Studies of WWER-1000 reactor vessel weld materials with different Ni and Mn content after thermal exposure at operating temperature for up to 10,000 h have been performed. It is shown the hold time interval under study is not sufficient for development of thermal ageing processes.

Experimental investigation of neutronic characteristics of the IR-8 reactor to confirm the results of calculations by MCU-PTR code

A comparison of measured and calculated neutronic characteristics (fast neutron flux and fission rate of 235U) in the core and reflector of the IR-8 reactor is presented. The irradiation devices equipped with neutron activation detectors were prepared. The determination of fast neutron flux was performed using the 54Fe (n, p) and 58Ni (n, p) reactions. The 235U fission rate was measured using uranium dioxide with 10% enrichment in 235U. The determination of specific activities of detectors was carried out by measuring the intensity of characteristic gamma peaks using the ORTEC gamma spectrometer. Neutron fields in the core and reflector of the IR-8 reactor were calculated using the MCU-PTR code.