No abstract available

[en] Experience has shown that the safety of nuclear power plants depends mainly on the following factors: the quality of the designs and the degree of substantiation of the principles and regimes of operation which are incorporated in them; the quality of the equipment and the building and assembly work; the quality of equipment operation; and, the qualifications of the personnel and the quality of systems supporting them. This often ends the list of the basic factors for safety of nuclear technology. In our view, this is incorrect. Safe operation, and especially improvements, development of objects and technology of nuclear power depend strongly on the scientific foundations of this operation, and both the theoretical and experimental grounds on which the solutions to problems is based. Scientific substantiation of this kind requires a corresponding experimental base: research reactors for radiation tests of the materials and constructions; a system of protective chambers for post-reactor investigations of irradiated parts; infrastructure for shipment of radioactive structures, storage or burying of radioactive wastes, and so on

[en] Experimental possibilities of the RF Main scientific centre the 'Institute of nuclear reactors' are described. It is shown that the Institute experimental basis makes it possible to solve the problems arising by scientific provision of nuclear power objects operation within the nuclear power complex and develop new projects, accomplish licensing and verification of calculational programs, etc. Examples of this centre cooperation with neighbouring and faraway foreign countries are presented. The necessity of assigning the international status to large scientific centres, providing for accompanying nuclear technology development, which would make it possible to order and conduct necessary tests and thus share financial burden of supporting the efficiency and level of the experimental basis is shown

[en] Problems of information theory application for assessment of the efficiency of using nondestructive methods of investigation are considered. Results of measuring empirical body of information, contained in experimental data files, can stand duty as additional criterion for choosing method, hardioare and software, providing for the method

[en] The problems studying complex material testing of experimental fuel elements are considered. Parameter pre-reactor classification is shown to be the necessary part of such studies, because only in comparative analysis of the information received in the course of pre-reactor control and post-reactor investigations, it is possible to increase the estimation accuracy of fuel element ''viability'' limits. Problems connected with reception, storage and processing of the proper information are discussed. Recommendations on methodologic and metrologic supply of studies are given

[en] Historical reference, experimental base of the Institute, basic trends of the Institute activities such as: physical and technical issues of nuclear reactors and safety aspects incorporate; production of radionuclides and radionuclide products; nuclear fuel cycle; technical issues of ecologically safe technologies are described

[en] Problems related to organization of investigations into reactor materials science are considered. Currently the efficiency and reliability of nuclear power units are largely determined by the fact, how correctly and quickly conclusions concerning the parameters of designs and materials worked out for a long time in reactor cores, are made. To increase information value of materials science investigations it is necessary to create a uniform system, providing for solving methodical, technical and organizational problems. Peculiarities of the current state of reactor material science are analysed and recommendations on constructing an optimal scheme of investigations and data flow interconnection are given

[en] General principles of designing, status and prospects for the automated research and management systems at the Research Institute of Atomic Reactors are presented. Urgency of complex investigations carried out in the institute assuring acquisition, processing and holding of the data to prove key concepts of design approaches to newly built commercial NPPs is stressed. Description of automated research systems in three main scientific directions: in reactor materials technology, radiochemistry and chemical technology, nuclear reactor physics and technology, is presented. Status and prospects for the automated management system that is under the development in the Institute and comprises main functional and specialized subsystems are considered

No abstract available

[en] The problems which typify reactor materials technology at this time include: the vast and largely uncorrelated volume of research on various materials and their properties; the need for stricter requirements for the reliability and accuracy of test results; the need for a differentiated and optimized combination of comprehensive studies based on in-pile and post-irradiation methods; the need for a comparative basis for results obtained by different testing methods and simulation techniques; the growing complexity of testing methods and the concurrent greater cost and labor intensiveness of the methods; and the need for centralized planning of materials research work. The authors of this paper assess and provide recommendations in each of these areas and discuss possible avenues for data acquisition and data base management in the field