DNRS: Department for radiation material sciences and radiation instrument engineering

Head of department, Dr. Phys. & Math. Sciences

Gabelkov Serhiy Volodymyrovych

Main scope of work of department:

• radiation damages physics in ceramics and glass ceramics materials;
• experimental researches of irradiated structural materials and components of nuclear reactors’ core, which were under the impact of emergency conditions;
• experimental researches of actual physicochemical properties of irradiated nuclear fuel and FCM of created «New Safe Confinement – Shelter Object» (NSC-SO) complex;
• monitoring the state and behaviour of Shelter Object FCM as fundamentally nonequilibrium system;
• development of methodical and technological approaches to create the methods for solid-phase LFCM conditioning to provide long-term storage and/or their burial in the future.

Tasks under realization:

• deepening of insight level for physical processes occurring in nuclear materials within the conditions of severe nuclear accidents;
• expert estimate of existing and proposed means to manage the materials containing irradiated fuel and its components;
• outlining the recommends for management of NSC-SO radioactive materials during its conversion into an ecologically safe system;
• FCM state monitoring, survey of changes in their state and physical characteristics;
• forecasting the FCM state and behaviour of NSC-SO complex in the medium term.

Results of scientific research activities:

• model of LFCM microstructure degradation of NSC-SO complex was created, physicochemical processes identifying LFCM evolution microstructure were determined, and their degradation and durability stages were defined;
• forecast of LFCM medium-term behaviour was made;
• monitoring of LFCM physico-mechanical properties was conducted.

 Areas of activity:
• development, testing and implementation of equipment, devices, mechanisms and software for work in the branch of nuclear energy, nuclear and radiation safety, ecology;
• making researches related to the attraction of radiation-resistant remotely controlled equipment;
• analysis of international experiences in the development and usage of remotely controlled devices in the fields of nuclear energy, nuclear and radiation safety and ecology.

    The results of the research areas:

   During the years of the department’s existence a number of designs have been made and prototypes of remotely controlled systems (RCS) have been created for the implementation to solve such issues, as:
• radiation exploration and monitoring;
• sampling of radioactive aerosols and solid radioactive wastes (RW);
• fragmentation of high-level fuel containing materials (FCM);
• solid RW containerization;
• application of dust suppressing solutions to the clusters of FCM;
• thermos-physical studies of FCM clusters.

    During the development of remote devices and aggregates, the team constantly faces the need of implementation of innovative and non-standard solutions to solve each individual technical problem. Here are some examples of these solutions that have been implemented in recent years:

• screw augers as drivers for mobile robotic complex for working in the trunk of horizontal wells;
• “Reflector” – structurally simple mechanical device that allows the use of conventional video cameras instead of expensive radio-resistant cameras in conditions of high levels of ionizing radiation in the environment;
• portable, cheap and safe solid RW fragmentators;
• ” Magnitohod” – the robot with magnetic wheels for moving on vertical metal surfaces;
• implementation of a telescopic lifting device, which ensures the rigidity of the position of executive body on overhead-type crane systems, and many other non-trivial solutions.

   Today, the department’s specialists play a key role in the creation of a new International NPP Decommissioning Academy jointly with experts from the partner company of the «Qingdao Xianchu energy development group ltd.».
Joint activity of the ISP NPP with the Chinese partner company began in 2015. One of the first and most promising directions of the future Academy’s activity was the development and production of remote technological complexes. For the parties of the cooperation, it was obvious, that the development of robotic equipment is needed for works related to the decommissioning of nuclear facilities.
Specialists of the department participate in the work related to the commissioning of «New Safe Confinement – Shelter Object (NSC-SO)».
Specialists of the department are involved in several directions of the international activity of the Institute, including interacting with specialists of European educational and scientific institutions, carry out design work within the cooperation of the Institute with NATO, and, on the basis of scientific results, present materials at international scientific and technical conferences.

    Also remotely controlled unit is used  for sampling lava-like FCM developed within the research “Development of measures to enhance nuclear, radiation and ecological safety of the Shelter and the New Safe Confinement.

Units were implemented at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.