The reactor of the USSR Academy of Sciences atomic power station

Summary

The atomic power plant of the USSR Academy of Sciences was set in operation on June 27, 1954. During the time of its operation not a single fuel element has gone out of order. There has been a rupture of an operating channel tube from which no dangerous consequences resulted. The emergency shielding of the reactor proved to be fully adequate. There have been stoppages of primary feeding of the circulating pumps but the emergency shielding fulfilled its purpose.

Generalizations drawn from our experience are the basis for the following conclusions which will be useful for further developments in the construction of power reactors:

• 1. The dependable operation of the atomic power plant has shown that the technical principles upon which it is based are correct.

• 2. The biological shielding of the operating personnel and of the surrounding inhabited area have been fully reliable.

• 3. The fuel elements have shown extremely high strength. 120 elements were tested for durability and degree of uranium “burning” beyond the design figures. The fuel elements were tested for a prolonged period at a thermal output of about 1.5 · 10⁶ kcal/m² hr during which the “burning” of the U²³⁵ reached 10 kg per ton.

• 4. The operation of the station provided a large amount of information which will be useful in drawing conclusions regarding the operation of individual units and instruments.

• 5. The successful operation of the station and its economic prospects are a guarantee of the further successful development of atomic power.