Method of extending the life of nuclear power plants

Any machine or system of equipment, over time, needs repair and maintenance to prevent accidents. This principle is strictly true for nuclear power plants.

Many Russian nuclear power plants are designed (duration of 25-30 years) are about to expire. However, closing or conserving nuclear power plants is a complicated and expensive procedure.

To solve the problem, scientists from the Moscow Institute of Machine Engineering have successfully researched the "rejuvenation" method of nuclear power plants and extended the life to tens of years compared to the original design. .

Voice of Russia quoted Russian scientists as saying that when exposed to the reactor's active area, the walls of the furnace core were subjected to heat and radiation effects, internal changes began to occur. change physical and chemical properties. Over time from homogeneous alloy material has split into countless small particles and it becomes fragile. At that time, there is a risk that the metal may crack.

A Russian nuclear power plant.(Source: englishrussia.com)

Russian scientists are designing a giant 38-ton battery, across a three-story building capable of "rejuvenating" the metal casing of nuclear power reactors.

Accordingly, during periodic maintenance, when the units stop operating for a short time and unloading the fuel, the special valve is inserted inside the furnace block.

The heating device presses on the kiln wall and within 120 hours will heat the metal shell to the required temperature, melting unwanted particles and so after the metal 'heating' rejuvenation 'again, becomes flexible. It is expected that in 2016 Russia will officially apply this method.

In addition, the 'Prometheus' Scientific Research Institute in Saint Petersburg (Russia) has successfully researched the unique type of steel in the world to allow reactors in nuclear power plants to operate longer. 1 century, compared with the maximum of 30 years ever.

Georgy Karzov, deputy director of the Institute of Material Structures, said it is an alloy with a high radiation resistance added with chromium, molybdenum, vanadium and nickel.