Ecological foresight in the nuclear power of XXI century

The access to reliable sources of energy is the key to sustainable development of mankind. The major part of the energy consumed by people is generated with a chemical reaction of fossil fuel burning. This leads to quick depletion of natural resources and progressing environmental pollution. The contribution of the renewable energy sources to the general energy production remains insignificant. A modern 1,000 MW coal-fired thermal power plant (TPP) burns 2.5 million tons of coal per year and produces significant amount of solid and gaseous waste. TPPs are the largest consumers of atmospheric oxygen and sources of carbon dioxide. A nuclear power plant (NPP) of the same power consumes less than 50 tons of fuel per year. Environmentally significant NPP’s waste (liquid, solid and gaseous) is carefully collected, reduced in volume (evaporation, filtering, compaction, incineration, etc.) and securely isolated from the environment at the plant. The annual volume of waste for storage is less than 100 m3. The waste is under the control of a special NPP’s service and regulatory authorities. The energy of fission reaction millions of times exceeding the energy of burning has an enormous potential that mankind can receive. Four hundred and thirty-three nuclear power units with a total capacity of about 400 GW exist in the world. The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi NPP in Japan in March 2011 caused anxiety about nuclear safety throughout the world and raised questions about the future of nuclear power. Now, it is clear that the use of nuclear power will continue to grow in the coming decades, although the growth will be slower than was anticipated before the accident. Many countries with existing nuclear power programmes plan to expand them. Many new countries, both developed and developing, plan to introduce nuclear power. Some countries, such as Germany, plan to abandon nuclear energy. The IAEA’s latest projections show a steady rise in the number of NPPs in the world in the next 20 years. They project a growth in nuclear power capacity by 23% by 2030 in the low projection and by 100% in the high projection [1,2]. The basis of modern nuclear power comprises water-cooled nuclear reactors which use the energy potential of natural uranium inefficiently (thermal reactors). The thermal reactors use isotope U-235 in which the content of natural uranium is <1%. Breeder reactors are capable of using the significant part of energy potential, which is unavailable to thermal light water reactors. As a result, the same starting quantity of uranium can produce 50 times more energy. These reactors can transform U-238 into fissile Pu-239 in larger amounts than they consume fissile material. This feature is called ‘breeding’ [3]. The key problem of using the basic benefitsv of nuclear power is to ensure the safety of its use, as well as decommissioning and reliable isolation of process waste from the biosphere. The long-term large-scale nuclear power should possess guaranteed safety, economic stability and competitiveness, absence of the raw material base restrictions for a long period of time and environmental sustainability (low waste). The nuclear power systems with fast neutron reactors and liquid metal coolant can satisfy these conditions. More than 40 years of Russian experience in the field of construction and operation of sodium fast reactors makes it possible to summarize and analyze the ecological features of reactors of this type, the possibility of their use for sustainable energy supply of mankind and solving environmental problems

Disorder dependence of ion implanted GaAs on the type of ion

Channeling experiments with 1.0 MeV He+ ions have been carried out to study lattice damage of (111) GaAs crystals after 60 and 110 keV aluminum and phosphorus implantation. The implantation and the channeling measurements have been performed in situ at 42 К and at room temperature (RT) Implant doses ranged from 2.8*10^12 to 8*10^16 ions/cm^2. We have observed large differences in the level of the measured damage for Al+ and P+ implantations into GaAs at RT within a dose range 10^13–10^15 ions/cm^2. The chemical nature of the interaction between Al+ and P+ and GaAs is different. Consequently, it is perposed that the effect can be explained by different types of defect formation

Morphology influence on water wettability of Mo back contact of solar cells.

Investigation of influence of Mo deposition on glass substrates by SIAD on its surface topography and wettability was conducted. We observe some steps in the process of film growth. Contact angle measurements showed that deposition of the Mo films on glass makes the surface less hydrophilic. It was indicated that with an increase of the irradiation dose, the roughness and contact angle increases rapidly at first and then decreases

Ecological foresight in the nuclear power of XXI century

The access to reliable sources of energy is the key to sustainable development of mankind. The major part of the energy consumed by people is generated with a chemical reaction of fossil fuel burning. This leads to quick depletion of natural resources and progressing environmental pollution. The contribution of the renewable energy sources to the general energy production remains insignificant. A modern 1,000 MW coal-fired thermal power plant (TPP) burns 2.5 million tons of coal per year and produces significant amount of solid and gaseous waste. TPPs are the largest consumers of atmospheric oxygen and sources of carbon dioxide. A nuclear power plant (NPP) of the same power consumes less than 50 tons of fuel per year. Environmentally significant NPP’s waste (liquid, solid and gaseous) is carefully collected, reduced in volume (evaporation, filtering, compaction, incineration, etc.) and securely isolated from the environment at the plant. The annual volume of waste for storage is less than 100 m3. The waste is under the control of a special NPP’s service and regulatory authorities. The energy of fission reaction millions of times exceeding the energy of burning has an enormous potential that mankind can receive. Four hundred and thirty-three nuclear power units with a total capacity of about 400 GW exist in the world. The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi NPP in Japan in March 2011 caused anxiety about nuclear safety throughout the world and raised questions about the future of nuclear power. Now, it is clear that the use of nuclear power will continue to grow in the coming decades, although the growth will be slower than was anticipated before the accident. Many countries with existing nuclear power programmes plan to expand them. Many new countries, both developed and developing, plan to introduce nuclear power. Some countries, such as Germany, plan to abandon nuclear energy. The IAEA’s latest projections show a steady rise in the number of NPPs in the world in the next 20 years. They project a growth in nuclear power capacity by 23% by 2030 in the low projection and by 100% in the high projection [1,2]. The basis of modern nuclear power comprises water-cooled nuclear reactors which use the energy potential of natural uranium inefficiently (thermal reactors). The thermal reactors use isotope U-235 in which the content of natural uranium is <1%. Breeder reactors are capable of using the significant part of energy potential, which is unavailable to thermal light water reactors. As a result, the same starting quantity of uranium can produce 50 times more energy. These reactors can transform U-238 into fissile Pu-239 in larger amounts than they consume fissile material. This feature is called ‘breeding’ [3]. The key problem of using the basic benefitsv of nuclear power is to ensure the safety of its use, as well as decommissioning and reliable isolation of process waste from the biosphere. The long-term large-scale nuclear power should possess guaranteed safety, economic stability and competitiveness, absence of the raw material base restrictions for a long period of time and environmental sustainability (low waste). The nuclear power systems with fast neutron reactors and liquid metal coolant can satisfy these conditions. More than 40 years of Russian experience in the field of construction and operation of sodium fast reactors makes it possible to summarize and analyze the ecological features of reactors of this type, the possibility of their use for sustainable energy supply of mankind and solving environmental problems

Surface morphological properties of Mo-based thin films on glass.

Investigation of influence of Mo deposition on glass substrates by SIAD on its topography and wettability was conducted. We observe some steps in the process of film growth. It was indicated that with an increase of the irradiation dose, the average roughness and the contact angle increases rapidly at first and then decreases. Contact angle measurements showed that deposition of the Mo thin films on glass makes the surface less hydrophilic

Analysis of Bangladesh nuclear infrastructure required for building of first NPP

В докладе выполнен анализ энергетических ресурсов и энергопотребления в Бангладеш. Дано обоснование использования атомной энергетики. Приведено описание проекта АЭС Rooppur, строительство которой планируется в Бангладеш. Обобщены основные требования по безопасному использованию атомной энергии, сформулированные в нормах безопасности Международного агентства по атомной энергии (МАГАТЭ). Проведен анализ существующих в Бангладеш нормативно-законодательной базы, государственных органов регулирования и управления в области использования атомной энергии. Сформулированы предложения по организации подготовки квалифицированных специалистов различного уровня (специалисты, инженеры, магистранты, аспиранты, преподаватели) для строительства и эксплуатации АЭС Rooppur.In the report the analysis of energy resources and energy consumption in Bangladesh is performed. The substantiation of the use of nuclear energy is given. The description of Rooppur NPP project, the construction of which is planned in Bangladesh, is given. Main requirements for the safe use of nuclear energy formulated in safety standards of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are summarized. The analysis of existing in Bangladesh legislative framework, government regulation and control in the field of nuclear energy is made. The proposals for the organization of the training of qualified specialists of different levels (specialists, engineers, undergraduates, graduate students, teachers) for the construction and operation of nuclear power plant Rooppur are formulated

Spectrometric studies of radiation protective materials irradiated with neutrons

В докладе освещен один из этапов комплекса работ по оптимизации состава гомогенных радиационно-защитных материалов (РЗМ) применительно к планируемым условиям облучения. Рассмотрены особенности проектирования радиационной защиты от нейтронного излучения различных энергий. Показана необходимость учета вторичного гамма-излучения, возникающего при прохождении нейтронного потока через защитный материал. Описана технология проведения спектрометрических исследований образцов РЗМ, облученных нейтронами. Приведены результаты определения номенклатуры продуктов активации, образующихся в образцах защитного материала со свинцовым и баритовым наполнителями под действием нейтронного излучения.The report highlights one of the stages of works on optimization of the homogeneous radiation-shielding materials (RSM) for planned exposure conditions. The peculiarities of the design of radiation protection against neutron radiation of different energies is considered. The necessity of taking into account the secondary gamma radiation produced during the passage of the neutron flux through the barrier material is shown. The technology of spectrometric studies of RSM samples irradiated by neutrons is described. The results of determining of the range of activation products formed in the samples of the protective material with lead and barite fillers under neutron radiation are given

The use of quick-detachable thermal insulation for nuclear power plants

The paper discusses ways to reduce dosstart in repair and maintenance of nuclear power plants, a comparison of conventional and quick-detachable thermal insulation, the requirements for quick-detachable thermal insulation. Comparative analysis of conventional and quick-detachable thermal insulation on labor costs for Assembly and disassembly.В работе рассмотрены пути снижения дозозатрат при ремонтном обслуживании АЭС, проведено сравнение обычной и быстросъемной тепловой изоляции, приведены требования к быстросъемной тепловой изоляции. Выполнен сравнительный анализ обычной и быстросъемной тепловой изоляции по трудозатратам на монтаж и демонтаж

The elemental composition, topography and wettability of Pb0.25Sn1.75S2 thin films.

PbSnS thin films were prepared by hot-wall vacuum evaporation (HWVE) and effect of substrate temperature on structural and surface morphological properties was thoroughly investigated by means of Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and water contact angle techniques, respectively

Analysis of process water supply schemes influence on energy efficiency of NPP with fast or thermal neutrons nuclear reactor

Обоснована зависимость энергоэффективности АЭС от вида первичного теплоносителя. Приведено соотношение размеров паровых турбин АЭС с реакторами на быстрых и тепловых нейтронах. Приведены результаты расчетного анализа изменения термического КПД турбоустановок, работающих на перегретом и насыщенном паре, при переходе с прямоточной на оборотную схему технического водоснабжения. Показано изменение термического КПД в зависимости от температуры окружающей среды в течение календарного года (для Белоярского водохранилища).Substantiates nuclear energy dependence on the type of the primary coolant. Powered aspect ratio of steam turbines NPP reactors fast and thermal neutrons. The results of the settlement analysis of changes in the thermal efficiency of turbine units operating on superheated and saturated steam, during the transition from once-through on the back of technical water supply scheme. The change in thermal efficiency depending on the ambient temperature during the calendar year (for Beloyarsk reservoir)