Impact of the VVR-ts Nuclear Research Reactor on the Environment
12/20/2024 2024 - #04 Environmental aspects of nuclear power
Fomichev V.V. Pakholik D.A. Kochnov O.Y. Kuznetsov N.V.
https://doi.org/10.26583/npe.2024.4.10
UDC: 504.054
Nuclear power is hazardous not only in terms of accidents and disasters. Regular operations of nuclear reactors also lead to the release of radioactive isotopes into the environment. The effects from nuclear facilities (reactors) have been discussed extensively as applicable to nuclear power plants but there is no practically such data for low-power nuclear research facilities (NRF).
This paper considers the effect of low-power nuclear facilities based on the example of the Karpov Research and Development Institute for Physical Chemistry, JSC. To achieve the goals and objectives under the Public Health National Project, and to implement regional cancer control programs, there is a growing demand for radiopharmaceutical production. The organizations engaged in this production need not only to develop manufacturing technologies but also pay careful attention to the system for monitoring the radiation situation in the environment.
The analysis was undertaken based on the results of monitoring radiation parameters from the period of 2011 to 2022, and the monitored parameters were correlated both with the production output and among each other.
The results of the study were used to identify the most effective measures for reducing the negative environmental impact. Also, based on the latest measures taken in 2022, a forecast was provided for the further dynamics of emissions. These activities can be recommended for enterprises with a similar nature of production.
It is worth noting that the measures presented above are not sure to be 100% efficient for other organizations with a similar nature of production, since there is no fully identical production technology, and there are always at least minor differences that can lead to a smaller efficiency of recommended measures.
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Link for citing the article: Fomichev V.V., Pakholik D.A., Kochnov O.Y., Kuznetsov N.V. Impact of the VVR-ts Nuclear Research Reactor on the Environment. Izvestiya vuzov. Yadernaya Energetika. 2024, no. 4, pp. 117-127; DOI: https://doi.org/10.26583/npe.2024.4.10 (in Russian).