Scientific support of nuclear energy in Bulgaria

The Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy (INRNE) of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences is the largest leading institute in the country for fundamental scientific and applied investigations in the field of physics of elementary particles, atomic nuclei, atoms and molecules, nuclear energy, radio-ecology and environmental monitoring, nuclear instrument construction and various other directions, connected with the application of nuclear physics and its methods. The applied investigation priorities was clearly defined as: Safety of nuclear power production; Radioactive waste disposal and storage; Ecology: control and monitoring of the environment; Information technology and maintenance; Reconstruction of the IRT research reactor. The scientific support of nuclear energy is concentrated in two directions: improvement of safety and efficiency of the existing traditional nuclear power units, and research activities to achieve more safe and economically more effective new generation nuclear reactors. INRNE provides studies and scientific support of our Nuclear Power Plant at Kozloduy in the problems and programs as: Neutron fluence determination for surveillance of VVER-440 and VVER-1000 reactor pressure vessels; Measuring-calculating reactivity complex for nuclear reactors; Analysis of radioactive corrosion products and their precipitation on the surface of primary circuit of power reactors; NPP safety analyses accounting for the dynamic failures; Modeling and analysis of thermal-mechanical processes in fuel rods of VVER reactors; Fuel modeling and performance by thermal mechanics code TRANSURANUS; Programme system for identification of damaged fuel assemblies; Validation of Coupled Neutronics and Thermal-Hydraulics Codes for VVER Reactors, under EU Project; Laboratory method for processing of NPP liquid radioactive; Methods and device for measurement of total alpha and beta activities and spectrometric determination of alpha emitters. The reconstructed experimental reactor will be a base for expanding the national center for scientific and applied investigations. It will play an important role for improving the qualification of the specialists and education of students and postgraduates as well. The INRNE collaboration with the IAEA, Vienna, and foreign nuclear institutes, the participation in the European and International programmes is a good base for training and methodology development. The obtained experience and knowledge may be applied for incoming needs of scientific support of Kozloduy NPP. The INRNE intends to be a promotional organization in the scientific services for safe operation of Kozloduy NPP, for developing visions and stand-points about next generation reactors, fuel cycle management, reactor decommissioning methodology, as well as providing input for energy policy decision making. The problems of education, qualification and preservation of specialists should be Government policy with clearly set objects and ways for their achievement. Failure to take appropriate steps now will seriously jeopardise the provision of adequate expertise tomorrow. (author)