Fundamental research in the nuclear industry is optimally
combined with practical activities of national importance and
serves as the basis for the development of nuclear power and the
nuclear industry.
R&D carried out by the scientists of Minatom of Russia
ensures a world lead for the CIS in the field of nuclear physics,
high energy and particle physics, plasma physics and controlled
thermonuclear fusion, solid-state physics, the physics of
superhigh p ressures and temperatures, and of explosions and
shock waves.
The I. V. "Kurchatov Institute" of Atomic Energy (IAE)
in Moscow, which was reorganized in April 1992 as the Russian
Scientific Centre (RSC) "Kurchatov Institute" is a
major multidisciplinary scientific centre in the field of nuclear
science and technolo gy. The theoretical and experimental
researches of the Centre on nuclear and particle physics, neutron
physics, solid-state physics, plasma physics and controlled
thermonuclear fusion have received world-wide recognition.
This researches of the scientists of the Institute of Theoretical
and Experimental Physics (ITEP), Moscow, on nuclear and particle
physics rank high in national and world science. Eleven
discoveries based on these studies have been patented. The ITEP,
wh ich is a major nuclear industry research centre, carries out
extensive fundamental theoretical and experimental investigations
into the properties of the atomic nucleus and elementary
particles, works on the development of new types of accelerator
and rea ctor technology; and designs equipment and facilities for
physical research.
The Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), Protvino, Moscow
Region, conducts fundamental research on the properties of
elementary particles and particle-matter interactions, including
the search for new particles with unconventional properties which
ex istence is closely linked with current concepts of the
structure of matter. A unique 3000 GeV proton accelerating
storage ring is under construction in the IHEP.
The research areas of the Institute of Innovation and
Thermonuclear Research, Troitsk, Moscow Region, encompass
theoretical and practical thermonuclear fusion, plasma physics,
laser physics and technology, as well as work on the development
and applicati on of MHD-generators, and the applications of
physical methods in medicine and biology.
The researchers of the nuclear industry have made significant
progress in physical chemistry, radiochemistry, including the
chemistry of complex compounds of actinides and fission products,
as well as in extraction and sorption theory. The institutes and
laboratories of the industry investigate the physico-chemical and
thermo-chemical properties of fissile and construction materials
and study material radiation damage. In particular, the
scientists of the V.G. Khiopin Radium Institute in St.
Petersburg, c arry out fundamental research into radiochemistry.
In addition, this Institute is well-known for its work on nuclear
physics, ecology, and the production and use of radioisotopes.
Seventeen discoveries made by the scientists of the nuclear
industry in nuclear physics, particle physics, solid-state
physics and chemical physics are included in the CIS State
Register. The industry has approximately 150 valid patents.
Extensive R&D conducted in the nuclear industry and based
on the results of fundamental research ensures a high scientific
and technological level of the output of the industry, its unique
nature and quality.
The All-Russlan Inorganic Materials Research Institute
(VNIINM), Moscow, carries out investigations in radiochemistry,
metallurgy, physical metallurgy and superconducting materials; it
develops technologies for the manufacture of components in beryll
ium, tantalum, niobium and aluminium, and their alloys; research
on the manufacture of superconductors and nuclear fuel and
components embodying them, investigations related to
decontamination techniques, the solidification and disposal of
radioactive was te, and ways and means of decontaminating
radioactive and toxic gas and aerosol emissions.
The Institute has made notable progress in the development of
superconducting materials for the creation of strong magnetic
fields. A wide range of superconduct ing, multifibre composite
wires (about 60 standard sizes) of both circular and rectangular
cross-section, based on deformable niobium-titanium alloys and
intermetallic tin-niobium compounds, have been developed for
helium temperatures.
The All-Russian Chemlcal Technology Research Instltute
(VNIIKT), Moscow, conducts intensive physical and chemical
investigations in the development of technologies for production
of super-pure substances and compounds for microelectronics, wave
optics an d piezoceramics. The scientists of VNIIKT are also
involved in physico-chemical investigations into the leaching of
radioactive, rare, dispersed, rare-earth, noble and other metals
extracted from ores and ore concentrates; development of high
frequency an d plasma chemical metallurgical processes for
producing compact ceramic materials, precision alloys and
alloying compositions, development of technologies for complex
processing of phosphoric and other ores of complex composition;
and development of flow sheets for the processing of liquid,
solid and gaseous waste.
The Physics and Power Institute (FEI), Obinsk, is an
integrated research organisation involved in the development of
nuclear power plants for various applications as well a
diagnostic monitoring systenls and instrumentation. The
Institute's experimental and production facilities permit
full-scale tests of demonstration models and prototypes of
nuclear power plants. The FEI is a major supplier of radioactive
isotopes to the world market. In addition to cyclotron isotopes,
the FEI has begun to produce reactor isotopes for medical
purposes.
The D. V. Efremov Research Institute of Electrophysical
Equipment (NIIEFA), St. Petersburg, is a leading institute in the
development and design of electrophysical equipment. The NIIEFA
develops and makes linear electron accelerators for radiation
techno logy, flaw detection, activation analysis sterilization,
medical diagnosis and treatment.
The large scientific centres of the industry and the country are
equipped with various of the NIIEFA's accelerators, thermonuclear
and other electrophysical devi ces; they include the RSC
"Kurchatov Institute", IHEP, ITEP, JINR, the V. G.
Khlopin Radium Institute, the Erevan Physical Institute, etc. The
NIIEFA develops and manufactures equipment for the 3000 GeV
accelerating storage ring which is being built in th e IHEP.
The V. I. Lenin Nuclear Reactor Research Instltute (NIIAR), Dimitrovgrad, is one of the largest nuclear centres of Minatom of Russia where complex scientific and technical problems in nuclear power, reactor materials science, the chemistry and physics of transuranium elements, and atomic physics are solved. The NIIAR scientists and specialists have built and successfully operated 8 research and expermental reactors designed for various applications.
The All-Russlan Research Institute for Technlcal Physics and
Automatlon (VNIITFA), Moscow concentrates its efforts on the
development of devices which utilize physical effects in
substances. The VNIITFA scientists and specialists design
self-containe d power sources, radiation technology facilities,
and equipment for substance analysis and product testing.
Ionizing radiation gas discharge detectors, modern facilities for
medical diagnosis and treatment devices for automated production
equipment, and h igh-tech consumer goods are also developed
there.
The SNIIP Scientific engineering Centre, Moscow, is the key
institution of Minatom of Russia for the development and
manufacture of various instrumentation and systems for
nuclear-power and industry. The Institute develops
instrumentation and systems for : NPP control and safety systems,
monitoring of environmental radioactive contamination; process
control for mines and radiochemical enterprises; and radiation
monitoring of the population and food-stuffs. Instrumentation for
space and thermonuclear resea rch is also developed in the
Institute.
The Chemical Engineering Research Institute (NIIKHIMMASH),
Ekaterinburg, designs and manufactures highly efficient optional
equipment for the enterprises of Minatom of Russia. The most
important R&D areas of the Institute cover equipment and
automated pr oduction systems for pelletized fuel; automated fuel
element assembly lines; equipment for spent fuel reprocessing and
preparation of process waste for disposal. The Institute has
developed large desalination plants, and equipment for producing
combined m ineral fentilizers from chemical waste and caustic
soda from electrolytic liquors. The test benches of the Institute
are used to investigate and develop a range of heat- and mass-
exchange equipment, centrifuges, glandless pumps, filters,
furnaces, and ro botic arms.
The Research and Design Institute of Installation Technology
(HIKIMT Research and Production Association, Moscow) develops the
technology for the installation and repair of unique and specific
nuclear facilities, designed for various purposes. The Associ
ation's basic development areas are: technologies for
installation, maintenance and backfitting of all types of nuclear
reactors, thermonuclear devices, accelerators and other nuclear
engineering facilities; technologies and equipment for precision
weldin g and nondestructive testing of welded joints, both under
installation and operating conditions; methods, technologies and
equipment for electrophysical treatment of materials (laser
treatment, high-frequency current, VHF, electrical resistance,
plasma tr eatment, etc.), polymeric and metallopolymeric
compositions for corrosion resistant, decontamination and thermal
protection of nuclear plant structures; design technologies,
manufacture and installation of "clean rooms".
Applied research and development carried out by the
enterprises of the nuclear industry are very often of a mutually
beneficial, comprehensive and target oriented nature. This is a
feature of R&D in the following areas: development of
high-temperature sup erconducting ceramics; development of
facilities and hardware for metal coating and hardening;
production of a wide range of filters utilizing physical
principles; production of ultra-dispersed metal powders;
development and design of linear ion accelerat ors; medical uses
of ionizing radiation; development and manufacture of laser
facilities for research and applied purposes.
High-temperature superconducting oxide ceramics are a fact of
life in modern technology. The All-Russian Chemical Technology
Research Institute, the All-Russian Inorganic Materials Research
Institute and the Moscow Polymetals Plant have developed and mas
tered original technologies for the production of yttrium and
bismuth-based HTSC ceramic powders and various products thereof.
Linear ion accelerators manufactured by the nuclear industry
serve as the basis for the development of neutron generators, for
r esearch, medical diagnosis, activation analysis, and isotopes
production, and are used in the electronics industry.
Enterprises of the nuclear industry have developed various metal
coating technologies. These coatings are produced by the methods
of ma gnetron, electron beam and plasma sputtering,
electrodeposition, and gasphase decomposition of fluorine
compounds.
The medical uses of ionizing radiation are a humane application
of the achievements of nuclear physics. Specialized
proton-therapeutic equipment for proton radiation therapy has
been developed for the first time in the CIS in the Institute of
Theoretical and Experimental Physics, which has great experience
in the proton beam treatment of over 2000 cancer and other
patients. A new centre for proton therapy and positron-emission
tomography is under construction at the present time. National
and foreign org anizations, insurance companies, funds, etc. are
invited to participate, on a mutually acceptable basis, in the
construction and development of the centre. Lasers, developed in
atomic industry and satisfying the highest international
standards, ensure adv anced processing and treatment of materials
(precision welding and cutting of metals, ceramics, wood;
surfacehardening, etc.), efficient isotopes separation; perfect
production of microelectronic products (photolithography,
precipitation of films, includi ng high-temperature
superconductors, alloying, annealing, etching, purification,
etc.); modern medicine (ophtalmology, microsurgery, etc.).
Nuclear centres, R&D institutes and enterprises of the
Atomic Energy Ministry of the Russian Federation implement
nuclear warheads development, test, production elimination and
utilization. Production of nuclear warheads involves the use of
explosive age nts, fissile materials and compositions and is
referred to a small-scale production excluding utilization of
continous production lines and intensive technologies.
Activities on nuclear warheads development, production
elimination and utilization are regulated by specific rules and
standards ensuring their realization safety at enterprises and
population and environment protection.
The political and economic reform that has been carried out in
the Russian Federation, the doctrine of the sufficient defence of
Russia, and also the need for ecological rehabilitation of
contaminated territories and improved operational safety have
requ ired conversion of scientific and production potential of
the nuclear industry owing to reductions in the output of arms
and military hardware and a significant decrease in uranium
mining and processing.
The All-Russian Experimental Physics Research Institute, founded
in 1946 in the Nizhnii Novgorod Region, near the town of Arzamas
(ARIEP), is a major multidisciplinary Federal nuclear centre of
the nuclear industry. A high level of R&D is ensured by theo
retical and analytical investigations in such fields of physics
as nuclear physics, gas dynamics, the theory of radiation and
mass transfer, the kinetics of nuclear and thermonuclear
reactions, and the properties of substances under high energy
densities.
Distinguished scientists, including academicians Ya.B. Zeldovich,
A.D. Sakharov, E.I. Zababakhin, I.E. Tamm, N.N. Bogolubov, M.A.
Lavrentiev and G.N. Flerov have worked in the ARIEP. The present
staff include such outstanding scientists as Yu. B. Kha riton, E.
A. Negin, Yu. A. Trutnev, A. I. Pavlovski and S. A. Novikov. The
professional skill of the employees and their broad scientific
outlook enable the Institute's team elaborate methodologies for
the simulation of sophisticated physical processes an d to solve
practical problems requiring a multidisciplinary approach.
The Russian Federal Nuclear centre - the All-Russian Research
Institute of Technical Physics (ARITP) - is a large and unique
research and design institution established in 1955 in the Urals
near Chelyabinsk. The outstanding scientist K. I. Shchelkin, the
closest colleague of I. V. Kurchatov, was the founder of the
Institute. The Institute carries out fundamental and applied
research in nuclear physics, the physics of high pressures,
hydrodynamics, and mathematical computation. Design and
technological st udies are conducted in the field of nuclear
charges, automation systems and instrumentation, and nuclear
explosion recorders. ARITP has a pool of academic talent
including academician, and corresponding member of the Russian
Academy of Sciences, 30 doctor s of science and 250 candidates of
science, and thousands of highly skilled specialists.
The Institute played a leading role in the development of the
country's "nuclear shield" and methods for the
verification of internatiopal agreements on the limitation of
nuclear explosions. Great attention is paid to scientific and
design support for th e elimination of phased-out nuclear
warheads. 15 per cent of all employees of Minatom of Russia are
engaged on military projects. At present, every third of them
works in the civilian industry, and by 1995 every other worker
will be employed in that field , i.e. only 7% of the personnel
will be engaged in the military area.
The best possible use of this scientific, design and production
potential for the revival of Russia is the principal task of the
nuclear industry.
Bearing these conditions in mind and taking into account the
relations established in the industry, complex studies were
carried out in 1988 - 1990 to choose cost-efficient targets and
approaches to conversion of the nuclear industry, most adequate
to th e accumulated scientific, technical, production and
personnel potential.
The assigned targets and objectives of the development of Minatom
of Russia in 1991 - 1995 and by the year 2000 provided the basis
for a number of targeted comprehensive national programmes which
envisaged the development and manufacture of hightech civi lian
products. The targeted programmes are largely focused on the
priority development of dual-purpose technologies, selected from
the key basic technologies of scientific and technical progress.
The Russian nuclear weapons intitutes have carried out larg e
amount of forward research and development in anticipation of
civilian industry in the area of fundamental and applied physics,
gas dynamics, electrodynamics, quantum electronics and
mathematical computation.
The conversion process has increased the interest in other
countries for cooperation with Russian scientific and technical
centres concerned with the development of nuclear weapons, and to
the turning of their potential towards the design of peaceful tec
hnologies with corresponding external funding.
When elaborating the conversion programmes, the Ministry paid
special attention to increased output of consumer goods by
enterprises of the nuclear weapons complex in 1990 -1995 (by a
factor of 3.6 times).
In 1990 the Ministry's enterprises manufactured consumer goods to
a value of 390 million dollars, in 1991 the figure was 766.3
million dollars. The emphasis was placed on the production of
essential and high-tech commodities.
Conversion of the enterprises of nuclear weapons complex is
pro ceeding along three main lines:
All enterprises are actively involved in eight out of eleven
comprehensive nuclear industry conversion programmes.
The institutes make the following proposals for mutually
beneficial international cooperation:
The enterprises of Russia and other CIS countries which are
involved in the mining, preparation and processing of uranium and
other types of ores, are united in a State Concern
Atomredmetzoloto of Minatom of Russia. These enterprises are
equipped with ad vanced machinery and have unique ore processing
technologies, which include the processes of self-crushing,
sorption of valuable components from pulps, extraction, etc.
Hydrometallurgical technology makes it economic to extract
valuable components from or es, including low-grade ores, and to
produce high-purity products.
Many foreign users have by now had a chance to familiarize
themselves with the high quality mixed-oxide uranium exported
from the CIS.
The Concern's enterprises have mastered the production technology
for gold and scandium of 99.99% purity, as well as of tungsten,
molybdenum, vanadium, and rare-earth metals. The technologies
feature complex utilization of mined ores and introduction of
waste-free processes.
In addition, the enterprises of Atomredmetzoloto produce
sulphuric acid, high-quality combined mineral fertilizers,
ammonium paramolybdate, molybdenum disulphide, etc. The Concern
operates the only emerald mining and cutting plant in Russia.
Artificial d iamonds and tools incorporating them are also made.
The range of mechanical engineering products and consumer goods
produced by the Concern's enterprises is quite wide. The
construction of a plant for producing "food" rubber and
rubber products is nearing completion. The output of civilian
products is gathering momentum as conversion proceeds
intensively.
The enterprises of Minatom of Russia fabricate nuclear fuel
for various types of reactors; they also produce structural
materials, including zirconium, niobium, hafnium, tantalum,
graphite, etc.
Minatom of Russia provides a uranium enrichment service for many
foreign companies, using the customer's feedstock, and also sells
enriched uranium produced from its own feedstock. The application
of centrifugation technology, developed by the scientists and
specialists of the nuclear industry, yields enriched uranium
whose isotope and chemical composition meets the highest world
standards. Centrifugation facilities are also used to produce
various stable and radioactive isotopes.
Minatom of Russia supplies Russian-made power, propulsion and
research reactors with fuel assemblies, absorbing rods, control
and safety systems, which are manufactured on the basis of the
most advanced technologies available, with a high level of automa
tion of production processes.
The metallurgical plants of Minatom of Russia offer a wide choice
of materials for reactor engineering and other industries. These
materials feature unique physio-chemical properties, ensuring
their competitiveness on world markets.
Minatom of Russia is the country's leader in research, design,
development, construction, manufacture, operation and maintenance
of nuclear fuel cycle facilities, including the manufacture of
the basic types of equipment, control and safety systems for p
ower, transport and research reactors.
Minatom of Russia has 40 years of experience in the design and manufacture of equipment, and the construction, installation and operation of the following categories of nuclear reactors:
The specialists of the industry are widely engaged in the
development of more reliable, efficient and safer nuclear
reactors, applying fundamentally new concepts based on the
principle of the physical inherent safety of nuclear reactors in
case of severe accidents. The production associations and plants
of Minatom of Russia are major suppliers of the basic equipment
for NPPs, nuclear district heating plants and propulsion systems.
The research centres and enterprises of Minatom of Russia are
known abroad as designers of nuclear power plants with WWER-type
reactors and of research reactors for a variety of purposes.
The establishment of the nuclear power industry and its
nuclear fuel cycle, accompanied by fundamental and applied
research, the solution of environment protection problems, and
utilization of the achievements of nuclear physics in various
spheres of hum an activity greatly stimulated the development of
nuclear instrument making.
The ionizing radiation detectors and detector units manufactured
by the enterprises of the industry compare favourably with
similar devices made by well-known foreign companies, with regard
to their reliability, convenience and ease of use. Probes based
on these detectors are used at all stages of the nuclear fuel
cycle (uranium mining and procesing, fabrication of fuel elements
and assemblies, reprocessing, etc.).
Semiconductor detectors based on super-pure germanium, silicon,
cadmium telluride and diamond permit rapid, efficient analysis of
environmental contamination, elementary analysis of substances,
spectrometry of nuclear fuel materials, and approximate anal ysis
of hard rocks.
Many of the devices that incorporate semiconductor detectors,
have passed international evaluation trials and have been
accepted by the IAEA as an official technical system. The
enterprises of Minatom of Russia are leaders in the development
and manufact ure of various dosimetric monitoring devices, from
the simplest personal dosimeters to sophisticated automated
complexes. Powerful X-ray sources and neutron generators
manufactured by the nuclear industry are considered to be of top
quality by internation al standards.
The accumulated scientific and technical potential enables the
enterprises of the industry successfully to develop and
manufacture a range of radioelectronic, diagnostic and
therapeutic medical equipment and tools.
The SEVER Production Association manufactures semiconductor laser
radiators for NC machine tools, laser printers, laser video
player heads and approximate analysis devices.
The industry is carrying out an extensive programme of the
production of optical fibre cables from quartz and fluoride
fibres. The main principle is to provide customers with a
complete sophisticated complex of terminals, dividers,
multiplexers, receiver s, etc. complete with instruction manuals
and specifications, as well as to train personnel and provide
full maintenance and servicing.
Instrument making enterprises are actively developing and
designing research equipment and instrumentation.
The instrument making complex of Minatom of Russia features:
The conversion of the defence industries and the availability
of a large scientific and technical potential in the field of
solid-state physics, chemistry and nuclear physics have
predetermined the establishment of a microelectronics branch
within the nu clear industry.
The development of this branch is based on the atomic industry's
traditional integrated approach to task fulfillment: from the
development of promising microelectronic technologies, the
production of super-pure substances and the makin g of special
equipment for their production and control to the manufacture of
components and the development of functional devices. The
carrying out of the conversion programme will allow the nuclear
industry to enter the domestic and international market s with
competitive microelectronic products and high-tech consumer
electronics (video recorders, TV sets, laser players, home
computers, etc.).
More than 60 research institutes and enterprises of the nuclear
industry, along with institutes of the Russ ian Academy of
Sciences and a number of foreign companies, are cooperating in
the creation of an industry producing "clean rooms",
super-pure materials, production technologies for microelectronic
components, and functional devices. Its significant scient ific
and technical potential in the field of solid-state physics,
chemistry, super-pure materials production technology, and
physical methods of treating substances to obtain fundamentally
new properties is enabling the enterprises of the industry
success fully to complete their assigned tasks.
Minatom of Russia has developed unique environmentally friendly
fluoride technologies for polycrystalline silicon production; it
has carried out experimental and pilot projects preparatory to
the large-scale production of semiconductor, solar, radiation-
alloyed silicon at a plant with a capacity of 3000 t/yr. Minatom
of Russia is becoming the main producer of silicon in the Russian
Federation.
The nuclear industry has achieved great progress in fundamental
reearch on the physics and chemistry of aerosol systems, and on
aspects of the filtration of gaseous and liquid media, including
a unique separation technique for super-pure substances at th e
isotopemolecular level.
The enterprises of Minatom of Russia have gained vast experience
in the manufacture of "clean rooms", which feature
special properties, for nuclear fuel cycle facilities. This is
permitting the rapid development of a "clean room"
industry, conforming to international standards, and the
manufacture of a broad range of filtration systems for the
microelectronic, chemical, biological and food industries.
Fundamental research on the physics of semiconductor structures
carried out in the nuclear industry, is enabling the enterprises
of Minatom of Russia to develop manufacturing technologies and
equipment for modern microelectronic components.
Minatom of Russia has developed advanced, internationally
accepted ion implantation and ion alloying facilities; plasma
chemical facilities which utilize various techniques of active
radical formation (plasma, electron beam, ion beam,
electron-cyclotron resonance); lithographic facilities in which
X-rays, synchrotron radiation and excimer lasers are used; and
vacuum pumps.
A centre for solid-state microelectronic is being set up in
Nizhnii Novgorod; in addition, there are materials testing
facilities used for the development of production technologies
for microelectronic components based on silicon and gallium
arsenide up to international commercial requirements. Two
"Lazarray" miniplants manufacturing semioptional LSI
and VLSI circuits based on matrix crystals are working in the
country. The unique experience of the industry in the field of
materials science, coating and film deposition technologies is
put to use in the manufacture of storage disks, including
magneto-optical disks, whose recording density compares
favourable with disks elsewhere in the world.
The enterprises of Minatom of Russia manufacture the advanced
equipment, machine tools and tooling used in the nuclear industry
for the construction of power plants and chemical plants as well
as for the manufacturing of consumer goods.
The scientific and technical potential of Minatom of Russia
enables the specialists of the industry to find original
solutions for various design and technological problems, and to
develop equipment, devices and tools conforming to international
requirem ents.
The specialists of the nuclear industry have created origical NC
devices for heavy and unique machine tools and multicoordinate
machine centers with complete electric drive sets.
The features of these machine tools are reliability, modern
technological level, and simultaneous control of more than six
coordinates.
Development of a range of industrial lasers is another important
activity being pursued by the specialists of this industry.
The enterprises of the industry manufacture a wide range of
specialised production equipment for nuclear fuel cycle
facilities, nuclear power plants and desalination installations.
The enterprises make highly efficient machining and cutting
tools, the manufacture of which became possible due to modern
metal hardening equipment and facilities developed by specialists
of the nuclear industry.
The design organizations and industrial enterprises of Minatom of
Russia have accepted responsibility for the development and
manufacture of state-of-the-art production equipment for the
agro-in-dustrial complex of the country. A large proportion of
the facilities
and equipment produced is designed for technical modernization of
the dairy industry.
The Obninsk Nuclear Minatom scientists and experts designed
and built the world's first Power Plant nuclear power plant,
which started commercial production of electric power on June 27,
1954.
Experience in the operation of the plant completely confi rmed
the theoretical and engineering approaches suggested by the
industry's specialists, and was followed by the construction and
start-up of the 300 MW(e) Beloyarsk NPP in 1964, which had
reactors similar to those used in Obninsk.
Successful operation of the first NPP gave rise to the
development of a nuclear power industry in the CIS, based on
various types of reactors.
The Bilibino Nuclear Co-Generating Plant (NCP)
The Bilibino NCP is a pioneer plant of the nuclear power
industry situated in the polar regions in the middle of the
Chukotsk Peninsula. It supplies the inhabitants and enterprises
of the region with heat and electricity.
The Kalinin Nuclear Power Plant
The Kalinin NPP, which has two 1000 MW(e) generator units, is
located on the bank of Lake Udomlya in the Tver Region. The NPP
has two WWER-1000 type reactors. The first generator unit was put
into operation in 1984, the second in 1986. Two similar generto r
units are now under construction.
The Kola NPP
The Kola NPP is located on the bank of Lake Imandra - one of
the largest and most picturesque lakes of the Kola Peninsula. The
NPP's first power generator unit went into operation in 1973.
Altogether, there are four units of the NPP, with WWER-440 type
re actors. Experience gained in the construction and successful
operation of the Bilibino and Kola NPPs is of great importance
for the development of nuclear power in the severe northern
conditions of Siberia and the eastern regions of the CIS. A small
town, Polyar nye Zori, with modern amenities and recreation
facilities, has been built 15 km from the Kola NPP.
The Balakovo NPP
The construction of the Balakovo NPP with a rated capacity of
4000 MW(e) on the bank of the Saratov Reservoir on the Volga, is
now nearing completion. Each of the four 1000 MW(e) power units
has a WWER-1000 type water-moderated water-cooled reactor, four
steam generators, one turbine and one turbogenerator. The first
power generator unit was connected to the CIS grid in 1985, the
third in 1988, and the fourth is now under construction.
The Novo-Voronezh TC
More than 10 years have passed since this personnel training
centre was set up to give training in the operation of WWER-type
reactors. Every year, up to 500 specialist are given basic and
refresher training at the centre. Skilled designers and
instructors conduct training courses, using full-scale simulators
and well-equipped laboratories.
The Smolensk TC
The centre for the training of personnel in the operation of
RBMK-type uranium-graphite channel reactors was opened four years
ago at the Smolensk NPP. The centre is also used for public
relations to inform the public on the development of nuclear
power, covering the safety, ecological and economic aspects of
NPP operations.
Minatom of Russia renders extensive technical assistance to
foreign countries in the construction of nuclear power plants.
One example illustrating this fact, is the "Loviisa"
NPP in Finland, constructed and operating successfully (the first
generator un it since 1977 and the second since 1980), with
WWER-440 type reactors.
The utilization factor of such power generator units suggests
that they can compete with the most advanced world technologies.
The industry's experts are convinced that, provided their
proposed safety measures and steps to increase reliability are
followed, nuclear power plants will help to solve problems of
energy and ecology for the future of the planet.
The Minatom of Russia has a powerful construction and
installation branch with 40 years of experience in the creation
of the most complex and unique instalations, and the
implementation of all types of operations within the CIS and
abroad - from design t o "turnkey" construction and
assembly of plants.
The construction and installation branch of the nuclear industry
guarantees high quality of design, construction and assembly
operations.
The construction and installation branch includes:
Minatom enterprises carry out the assembly and modification of
nuclear reactors, nuclear research facilities, charged particle
accelerators and thermal power plants, their related
heat-exchange, turbine and other equipment, process pipelines and
chemical production tanks.
Minatom enterprises employ teams of high-skilled scientists,
engineers, designers, workers, builders, economists and managers,
who are called upon to solve the most complex scientific and
production problems.
The establishment of a modern social infrastructure for its
employees at work and in the residential and recreational spheres
is one of the most important concerns of the Minatom
administration.
Employees and their families are comfortably housed in well
appointed apartments and have sports facilities provided.
Vacations are spent in holiday camps and sanatoria.
The construction organizations of the nuclear industry have built
more than 120 towns and urban developments to the highest
standards and close to the plants in which the employees work.
The planners and builders of the desert region town of Navoi were
awarded the Patrick Abercrombie prize for the originality of
their solutions to the problems of design and construction.
Employees and their famlies have at their disposal numerous
stadia, gymnasiums, play-grounds, indoor pools and ski
pavillions.
The comfortable health centres and holiday homes of Minatom of
Russia are located in the most picturesque regions of the Crimea,
the Caucasus, the Baltic States, Central Asia, the central zone
of Russia, the Urals and Siberia.
Much attention is paid to the health of the nuclear industry's
employees. Specialized medical care and preventive medical
establishments and dispensaries are at their disposal; they
include hospitals, polyclinics, sanitary and epidemiological
stations, p harmacies and first aid and ambulance stations.
The industry has its own food and agriculture complexes that
provide its employees with agricultural produce.
Minatom of Russia cooperates actively in the international
sphere in many areas of nuclear science and technology with
numerous countries in all the continents and with the various
international organizations concerned. The matters covered
include:
Qne highly significant aspect of international cooperation is
the part played in maintaining and improving the nuclear weapon
non-proliferation regime. The coordination and organization of
international cooperation concerned with monitoring the implement
ation by Russia of its obligations under the agreements on the
limitation of nuclear weapon tests and the conversion activities
connected with the reduction of nuclear arms is a new aspect of
the activities of Minatom of Russia, which is employing the mil
itary research personnel thus made available on the solution of a
wide range of technical and scientific problems in Russia,
including, in particular, safety in the use of nuclear power and
environmental protection.
Bilateral scientific and technical cooperation in its various
forms, including joint research, scientific seminars and
reciprocal training arrangements, is conducted on the basis of
intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements. Minatom of
Russia pa rticipates in the multilateral cooperation including
activity at of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the
International Standards Organization (ISO).
Minatom scientists are widely engaged in the activieties of the
world's leading nuclear research centres: the European
Organization for Nuclear Research, the German Electron
Synchrotron Institute DEZI, the National Acceleration, Laboratory
of the Superco nducting Supercollider, and the Joint Institute
for Nuclear Research.
Russia is a member of the quadripartite intergovernmental project
on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER).
Minatom scientists participate actively in international and
national conferences, symposia and seminars. There are extensive
exchange of scientific and technical information both bilaterally
and through the International Nuclear Information System (INIS ).
Minatom of Russia has its own Central Research Insitute of
Management, Economics and Information (Atominform) that
centralizes all information on scientific and production
activities and protects the rights of Minatom in the sphere of
intellectual and in dustrial property over projects financed by
the Ministry, and legal reulation of the transfer of these rights
to third parties.
The International Relations Committee of Minatom of Russia (IRC)
coordi- FC nates technical and scientific cooperation and some
types of economic co-operation. It is also responsible for the
implementation of Russia's obligations under the international
conventions on the physical protection of nuclear materials, on
the rendering of assistance in case of nuclear or radiological
accidents and early notification of nuclear accidents.
The Ministry exports a wide range of products materials,
equipment and services, including, in particular, products and
services for the nuclear fuel cycle, materials for nuclear
industry, nonferrous metals, fertilizers, timbers, etc.
The Ministry imports equipment, technology and materials for
conversion programmes and the creation of consumer goods
industries, as well as for the processing of agricultural
produce.
The above activity is carried out through Techsnabexport, a joint
stock company with government participation.
The Ministry carries out construction projects abroad for the
erection of nuclear power plants, heat supply stations and
district heating plants, as well as nuclear research centres and
laboratory on the basis of low-power research reactors. These
projec ts are carried out on a technical assistance or
"turnkey" basis. The general contractor for this type
of activity is the Zarubezhatomenergostroi Russian Industrial
Association (RIA), which provides the whole range of services
including planning and survey ing, construction, instalation,
start-up and alignment. This association provides also delivery
of basic and auxiliary equipment and spare parts, and technical
assistance on the operation of installations, and on the
reconstruction and modernization of in stallations in use.
(C) Central Research Institute of Management, Economics and Information under Minatom of Russia (Atominform)
Page maintained by Anton Mets 19.09.1997