Inspection of vessel of the RA research reactor in Vinca by ultrasound method and highly sensitive television camera

The RA heavy water cooled research reactor started operation in 1959. The reactor core is placed in aluminium vessel having wall thickness 8 mm. After 20 years of operation inspection of the reactor vessel was necessary. First visual control was done by telescope facility installed at the reactor in 1959. Since results of this control were not satisfactory, control was done by using highly sensitive and radiation proof underwater camera. Ultrasound control was done by French experts. Results of this control performed at more than 60 control points have shown the thickness to be between 7.2 and 8.0 mm, with precision of 2.5%. Visual control was performed by the RA experts by highly sensitive TV camera produced by Produkt-SSA. Small diameter of this camera (70 mm) enabled visualization of the core region openings for vertical experimental channels, passing through 3.2 thick aluminium shield. Results of the performed control showed that there was no corrosion process, It was concluded that the reactor can operate safely for next 5 - 6 years. The highly sensitive television facility will be used for control of the containers in the spent fuel storage pools, taking into account the large dimensions of these pools