Structural and radiological characterization of irradiated RBMK-1500 reactor graphite

Elena Lagzdina; Danielius Lingis; Artūras Plukis; Rita Plukienė; Darius Germanas; Andrius Garbaras; Jevgenij Garankin; Arūnas Gudelis; Ilja Ignatjev; Gediminas Niaura; Sergej Krutovcov; Vidmantas Remeikis

Nuclear Engineering and Technology (Jan 2022)

Structural and radiological characterization of irradiated RBMK-1500 reactor graphite

Elena Lagzdina,
Danielius Lingis,
Artūras Plukis,
Rita Plukienė,
Darius Germanas,
Andrius Garbaras,
Jevgenij Garankin,
Arūnas Gudelis,
Ilja Ignatjev,
Gediminas Niaura,
Sergej Krutovcov,
Vidmantas Remeikis

Affiliations

Elena Lagzdina: Department of Nuclear Research, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Savanorių Ave. 231, LT-2300 Vilnius, Lithuania; Corresponding author.
Danielius Lingis: Department of Nuclear Research, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Savanorių Ave. 231, LT-2300 Vilnius, Lithuania
Artūras Plukis: Department of Nuclear Research, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Savanorių Ave. 231, LT-2300 Vilnius, Lithuania
Rita Plukienė: Department of Nuclear Research, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Savanorių Ave. 231, LT-2300 Vilnius, Lithuania
Darius Germanas: Department of Nuclear Research, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Savanorių Ave. 231, LT-2300 Vilnius, Lithuania
Andrius Garbaras: Department of Nuclear Research, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Savanorių Ave. 231, LT-2300 Vilnius, Lithuania
Jevgenij Garankin: Department of Nuclear Research, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Savanorių Ave. 231, LT-2300 Vilnius, Lithuania
Arūnas Gudelis: Department of Metrology, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Savanorių Ave. 231, LT-02300 Vilnius, Lithuania
Ilja Ignatjev: Department of Organic Chemistry, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Saulėtekio Ave. 3, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
Gediminas Niaura: Department of Organic Chemistry, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Saulėtekio Ave. 3, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
Sergej Krutovcov: State Enterprise Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, Elektrinės str. 4, Drūkšinių vil, LT-31152, Visaginas mun, Lithuania
Vidmantas Remeikis: Department of Nuclear Research, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Savanorių Ave. 231, LT-2300 Vilnius, Lithuania

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 54, no. 1
pp. 234 – 243

Abstract

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This study aims to characterize the irradiated RBMK-1500 nuclear graphite in terms of both structural and radiological properties. The experimental results of morphological and structural analysis of the irradiated graphite samples by using SEM, Raman spectroscopy as well as the theoretical evaluation of primary displacement damage are presented. Moreover, the experimental and theoretical evaluation of the neutron flux is provided and the presence of several γ emitters in the analyzed graphite samples is assessed. Furthermore, the improved version of rapid analysis method for 14C activity determination is applied and the experimentally obtained results are compared with calculated ones. Results indicate that structural changes are uniform enough in all the analyzed samples. However, the distribution of radionuclides is non-homogeneous in the irradiated RBMK-1500 reactor graphite matrix. The comprehensive understanding of both structural and radiological characteristics of nuclear graphite is very important when dealing with decision about irradiated graphite waste management strategy or treatment options prior to its final disposal.

Published in Nuclear Engineering and Technology

ISSN: 1738-5733 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Korea, Republic of
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Nuclear engineering. Atomic power
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/nuclear-engineering-and-technology

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