Assessment of the possibility for large-scale 238Pu production in a VVER-1000 power reactor

The paper presents the estimates for the possibility for large-scale production of 238Pu in the core of a VVER-1000 power reactor. The Np-fraction of minor actinides extracted from transuranic radioactive waste is proposed to be used as the starting material. The irradiation device with NpO2 fuel elements is installed at the reactor core center. The NpO2 fuel lattice pitch is varied and the irradiation device is surrounded by a heavy moderator layer to create the best possible spectral conditions for large-scale production (~ 3 kg/year) of conditioned plutonium with the required isotopic composition (not less than 85% of 238Pu and not more than 2 ppm of 236Pu). Plutonium with such isotopic composition can be used as the thermal source in thermoelectric radioisotope generators and in cardiac pacemakers. It has been demonstrated that the estimated scale of the 238Pu production in a VVER-type power reactor exceeds considerably the existing scale of its production in research reactors

Nuclear Education in Russia and Abroad

The education of a future nuclear professional provides the basic competencies that will influence the performance of a future specialist throughout his or her future professional career. The article discusses the best practices and main trends in higher education that have developed in the field of nuclear technologies in Russia and abroad. The analysis is based on the materials prepared by various international organizations and professional communities, and the experience of the MEPhI. The article discusses such issues as interaction between state, nuclear industry and higher education institution; the quality of nuclear education (four basic principles of training nuclear specialists in MEPhI), the transition to two-tier system in nuclear education; the international cooperation in nuclear sphere; export of nuclear education; and vocational guidance for school students

NUCLEAR EDUCATION IN MEPHI

The article highlights the milestones of the formation and the current state of nuclear education at National Research Nuclear University MEPhI. The authors dwell on the activities of the Institute of nuclear physics and engineering, which concentrates the training of the experts for Rosatom State Corporation. Thirty training programs now include all the levels of nuclear education (Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s degree, specialists’ courses, postgraduate and doctoral training)