THE

USE

OF

DEMOCRATIC

NUCLEAR

ENERGY

I N T HE G E R M A N

REPUBLIC

Kh. Faul'shtikh, L.Kherfort, V. M e r t s , K. M a i e r , K. R a m b u s h , V. S h i m m e l ' a n d V. S h t o l ' t s

UDC 602.91

During the 20 y e a r s of its existence, the G e r m a n D e m o c r a t i c Republic (GDR) has b e c o m e a m o d e r n Socialist s t a t e with a powerful industrial potential and with industrialized a g r i c u l t u r e . The o v e r c o m i n g of the economic difficulties c r e a t e d by the Second World War and the r a i s i n g of the standard of living f o r the population have n e c e s s i t a t e d the r e c o n s t r u c t i o n and expansion of the existing ind u s t r i a l capacity and the c r e a t i o n of u p - t o - d a t e new b r a n c h e s of industry. A p r e r e q u i s i t e of the development h a s been the c o n s i d e r a b l e i n c r e a s e in the development of e l e c t r i c power c o r r e s p o n d i n g to the growth of production capacity and the introduction of new technologies. In the past, the growth and development of electric power mainly has been dependent upon power stations operating on lignite. New t e c h n o l o g i c a l - e c o n o m i c a l investigations have shown that the u s e of lignite alone as the power g e n e r a t i o n s o u r c e leads in t i m e to unacceptable consequences f r o m the economical point of view, and that even the i m p o r t of o t h e r types of fuel or e l e c t r i c power likewise does not e n s u r e the r e q u i r e m e n t for power under e c o n o m i c a l l y a c c e p t a b l e conditions. At the s a m e t i m e , it has been e s t a b l i s h e d that the c o n s t r u c t i o n of n u c l e a r power stations a p p r o x i m a t e l y f r o m 1980 will be c o n s i d e r a b l y m o r e p r o f i t a b l e t h a n t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of conventional power stations. T h e r e f o r e , at the 7th C o n g r e s s of the Socialist Unity P a r t y of G e r m a n (SEPG) the r e q u i r e m e n t was put f o r w a r d that the future growth of development of e l e c t r i c power would be ensured by n u c l e a r energy. Thanks to the a s s i s t a n c e of the Soviet Union and the g r e a t i n fluence f r o m the P a r t y and G o v e r n m e n t of the GDR, a s u c c e s s f u l a p p r o a c h was m a d e r e l a t i v e l y e a r l y to p r e p a r a t o r y w o r k for solving t h e s e p r o b l e m s and for studying foreign e x p e r i e n c e for ~use in the GDR. T o g e t h e r with the a i m f o r the industrial utilization of nuclear energy for the development of e l e c t r i c power, the goal was p u r s u e d f r o m the v e r y beginning for the v e r s a t i l e application of nuclear physics in all s p h e r e s . To this, in p a r t i c u l a r , is r e l a t e d the use of artificial r a d i o a c t i v e isotopes in s c i e n c e and industry. In o r d e r to solve the v a r i o u s p r o b l e m s a s s o c i a t e d with this, a n u m b e r of e s t a b l i s h m e n t s have b e e n founded in the GDR which c o o p e r a t e closely with one another and with the c o r r e s p o n d i n g institutions of the s o c i a l ist c o u n t r i e s and which work on p r o b l e m s f o r the w i d e s p r e a d utilization of nuclear energy f o r peaceful p u r poses. The Central Institute f o r Nuclear R e s e a r c h in Rossendorf (near Dresden) is one of t h e s e e s t a b l i s h m e n t s a n d also the national e n t e r p r i s e "Kraftwerkanlagenbau" Combine, the R h e i n s b e r g nuclear power s t a tion and the State Center f o r Radiation Safety and " I s o k o m m e r t z . " Collaboration with the USSR is undertaken on all p r o b l e m s which can be solved within the f r a m e w o r k of g e n e r a l p r o g r a m s , beginning with study and development and ending with supplies of i n s t r u m e n t s and plant f r o m the USSR. M o r e o v e r , in the Soviet u n i v e r s i t i e s and other institutions, s p e c i a l i s t s or those acquainted with m o d e r n methods and technologies a r e available. The s p e c i a l i s t s and institutions of the GDR, in t h e i r turn, m a k e an i m p o r t a n t contribution within the f r a m e w o r k of the b i l a t e r a l cooperation to the solution of p r o b l e m s which a r e of mutual i n t e r e s t . The Government of the GDR has r e p e a t e d l y c o n f i r m e d its alignment in p r i n c i p l e exclusively to the peaceful utilization of a t o m i c energy. F o r example, the GDR was among the f i r s t s t a t e s to sign the T r e a t y f o r the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons. In the fall of 1969, the National National E n t e r p r i s e "Kraftwerkanlagebau" Combine, " K e r n k r a f t w e r k b a u " Division. T r a n s l a t e d f r o m A t o m n a y a ]~nergiya, Vol. 28, No. 4, pp. 338-341, April, 1970. 9 Consultants Bureau, a division of Plenum Publishing Corporation, 227 g/est 17th Street, New York, N. Y. 10011. All rights reserved. This article cannot be reproduced for any purpose whatsoever without permission of the publisher. A copy of this article is available from the publisher for $15.00.

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Council of the GDR ratified this treaty. Thereby, the GDR made an important contribution in the m a t t e r of development of international relations and collaboration in the field of atomic energy. The Central Institute of Nuclear R e s e a r c h was founded in 1956. This r e s e a r c h establishment, of large c r o s s section, is designed for the complex study of v a r i o u s problems of nuclear physics and nuclear technology. In Rossendorf, with the participation of the USSR, a l a r g e and well-equipped institute has been built, within the a r e a of which there are two l a r g e installations (together with other units) - the VVRS r e s e a r c h r e a c t o r and a cyclotron. The cyclotron is used exclusively for nuclear p h y s i c s r e s e a r c h . The VVR-S r e a c t o r is intended not only for nuclear physics r e s e a r c h but also f o r the production of radioactive isotopes, resulting in a g r e a t development in the GDR. M o r e o v e r , it furnished the possibility of c a r r y i n g out w i d e - s c a l e r e s e a r c h in the field of r e a c t o r physics. The Institute also has available l a b o r a t o r i e s for investigating m a t e r i a l s and other installations by means of which experimental r e s e a r c h can be c a r r i e d out in the field of r e a c t o r physics and technology. Of p a r t i c u l a r note is the Rossendorf r e a c t o r with annular zones (RRR), c o n s t r u c t e d by their own efforts and s t a r t e d up at the end of 1962. In addition, t h e r e a r e thermotechnicaI and hydraulic test rigs. Theoretical investigations in the field of r e a c t o r physics a r e also c a r r i e d out in addition to the e x p e r i m e n t s . The p r o j e c t s undertaken in the Central Institute f o r Nuclear R e s e a r c h have given valuable r e s u l t s which have received international recognition. On the basis of the experience accumulated in c a r r y i n g out work within the scope of international collaboration with estabiishments of the USSR, Poland, C z e c h o slovakia, and Hungary, t h e p o w e r o f t h e V V R - S r e a c t o r was i n c r e a s e d f r o m 2 to 5 and f r o m 5 to 10 MW in 1968; this was done mainly for i n c r e a s i n g the radiation dosage. A number of p r o b l e m s had to be solved which took account of the r e a c t o r c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s and the technology of the installations. Thus, for example, the power i n c r e a s e of the r e a c t o r f r o m 2 to 5 MW was achieved without changing the design of the core, but only in consequence of the fuel element heat removal p r o p e r t i e s due to the c r e a t i o n of artifical surface roughness. In addition, considerable experience has been acquired in m e a s u r i n g instrument and automation technology, which has enabled a new concept to be established for a nuclear a s s e m b l y with i n s t r u m e n t s . The W R - S r e a c t o r has been used also f o r conducting r e s e a r c h with many organizations. F o r example, by m e a n s of the neutron diffraction method, investigations were c a r r i e d out on the s t r u c t u r e of metallic and c e r a m i c m a t e r i a l s , standard methods have been developed for neutron activation analysis which a r e used, for e x a m ple, for studying a p r o c e s s for working pure silicon. The GAR-1 facility has been a s s e m b l e d f r o m fuel e l e ments removed f r o m the active zone; this p e r m i t s the irradiation of a l a r g e quantity of m a t e r i a l by "y-quanta to be c a r r i e d out at a dose intensity of 104 R/h. L a r g e p r o j e c t s on i r r a d i a t i o n have been undertaken for the electrical, medical, and food industries. The Rossendorf r e a c t o r with annular zones, is used exclusively for experiments in the field of neutron physics. The basic trends of these p r o j e c t s a r e investigations of the statics, kinematics, a n d d y n a m i c s of r e a c t o r s and also the techniques of reactivity m e a s u r e m e n t s . Measurement techniques and m e a s u r i n g instruments have been developed for use in power r e a c t o r s . In the field of r e a c t o r theory, based on a study of p a r a m e t e r s , p r o b l e m s a s s o c i a t e d with the c o n s t r u c tion of a r e a c t o r with annular zones have been investigated. Special p r o b l e m s of r e a c t o r physics have been studied and standard methods of calculation have been developed, including the c o r r e s p o n d i n g c o m p u t e r p r o g r a m s . As a r e s u l t of the investigation of the problem of neutron t r a n s p o r t theory, valuable data were obtained. As mentioned, the VVR-S r e a c t o r in Rossendorf s e r v e s also for the production of radioactive isotopes which, to a considerable degree, a r e used f o r r e s e a r c h p u r p o s e s for the needs of industry, agriculture, and medicine. T h e i r use brings g r e a t benefit to the national economy. During the period f r o m 1960-1967, the economic effect amounted approximately to 500 million m a r k s . Together with radioactive isotopes, v a r i o u s stable isotopes a r e finding e v e r y w h e r e g r e a t e r use, not only for r e s e a r c h p u r p o s e s but also in industrial production; for example, f o r improving the quality of c e r t a i n p r o ducts of the ehemeial and pharmaceutical industry. The disposal of radioactive and stable isotopes is u n d e r taken by a specialized c o m m e r c i a l organization, " I s o k o m m e r t z , "which at p r e s e n t s e r v e s approximately 1000 clients within the country and abroad. In o r d e r to solve p r o b l e m s of radiation shielding and radiation monitoring, an organization has been set up which is directly subordinate to the Council of Ministers of the GDR - t h e State Center for Radiation Safety. This center gives authorization for the commissioning of nuclear technology installations and

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for c a r r y i n g out a continuous check on the radiation environment at these establishments and at c e r t a i n fixed m e a s u r e m e n t points in the GDR. In addition, r e s e a r c h is c a r r i e d out at the center for the purpose of reducing to a m i n i m u m the effects of ionizing radiations on the people. In this, the p r i m a r y c o n c e r n is the choice of sites for nuclear installations, the p r o b l e m of radioactive waste storage, control over the nuclear fuel located in the GDR, etc. In connection with this problem, the physics department of the Technological University in Dresden has developed methods of dose m e a s u r e m e n t based on radiation r e a c t i o n s in solids. The establishment of production capacities, for planning and p r e p a r a t i o n for the construction of nucl e a r power stations, proceeded in parallel with the creation of the Central Institute for Nuclear R e s e a r c h the scientific r e s e a r c h establishment - in o r d e r to satisfy the i n c r e a s e d demand in electric power. -

The main group of planners w e r e trained directly in the c o u r s e of joint tasks on the planning of the Rheinsberg nuclear power station, undertaken in the USSR; scientific r e s e a r c h personnel r e c e i v e d training in solving specific p r o b l e m s a r i s i n g f r o m the planning in close collaboration with Soviet Institutes. Thus, a nucleus of specialists of varied c r o s s section was created, who accumulated experience in solving p r o blems of p r a c t i c a l importance. In p a r t i c u l a r , in p r e p a r a t i o n for the startup of the nuclear power station at Rheinsberg, skills were acquired on technological problems, p r o b l e m s of r e a c t o r physics and technology and also p r o b l e m s of i n s t r u m e n t technology and automation concerned with l a r g e - s c a l e technical plants. These skills will be of enormous value for the design of future nuclear power stations. The Rheinsberg nuclear power station, which was developed in a c c o r d a n c e with i n t e r g o v e r n m e n t a g r e e ment between the GDR and the USSR, was built jointly by institutes of the USSR and the GDR and came into operation on May 9, 1966. The f i r s t nuclear power station in the GDR is a l a r g e - s c a l e industrial test installation, with a planned electrical output of 70 MW. The p r i m a r y plant - the r e a c t o r with its control and safety a s s e m b l i e s , the main circulating pumps and the turbine a s s e m b l y - h a v e been developed and provided by the USSR. The industry of the GDR, in addition to c a r r y i n g out the operating plan, s t r u c t u r a l work and a s s e m b l y , participated in the construction of the nuclear power station by providing the supplementary units and plant. Thus, great experience has been accumulated which will be of g r e a t importance for the p r e p a r a tion and installation of l a r g e r - s c a l e power stations. The modes and methods of collaboration found between the industry of the GDR and the institutes and establishments of the USSR can be considered as a c h a r a c t e r i s t i c example of the division of work between socialist countries consistent with the possibilities existing for both sides. The experience accumulated during three y e a r s of operation of the nuclear power station shows that the r e a c t o r has operated t r o u b l e - f r e e and reliably. The design p a r a m t e r s of the r e a c t o r have been achieved and exceeded. Thus, f o r example, in the s e v e r e winter of 1968-1969 the nuclear power station operated for an extended period at an electrical output of 80 MW without any significant complications. Through a sequence of operating p r o b l e m s , scientific investigations were c a r r i e d out on the nuclear power station in close collaboration with Soviet establishments, the r e s u l t s of which have been extremely useful for designing future nuclear power stations. In addition, personnel have been trained as d e s i g n e r s and builders as well as o p e r a t o r s . Together with t h e o r e t i c a l knowledge, the specialists have acquired practical knowledge in the operation of a nuclear power station. The founders of the nuclear power station, by m e a n s of a computer p r o g r a m developed with the a s s i s t a n c e of Soviet s p e c i a l i s t s in the GDR, have c a r r i e d out n e u t r o n - p h y s i c s calculations which a r e r e quired periodically for reloading of the r e a c t o r . The construction of the Rheinsberg nuclear power station in the GDR c o r r e s p o n d s to general w o r l d wide tendencies in power generation - t h e t r a n s i t i o n f r o m the use of conventional fuel to the use of nuclear fission energy. Because of this, the possibility has been given for the m o r e economical and advantageous use of conventional fuel and, at the same time, a significant i n c r e a s e of energy r e s o u r c e s has been achieved. The "Nord" nuclear power station is under construction at present in Lubmin on the s h o r e of the Baltic Sea. This nuclear power station, according to calculations, will develop electric power at a cost which may be competitive with the cost of conventional power stations operating on lignite. This nuclear power station will improve considerably the supply of electric power to the northern part of the GDR. Construction of the nuclear power station will pose g r e a t problems for all the undertakings of the GDR who are participating in its construction and equipping.

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In o r d e r to solve these p r o b l e m s and to achieve r e a l i z a t i o n of the p r i n c i p l e s of the new economic s y s t e m , it will be n e c e s s a r y to make l a r g e s t r u c t u r a l changes in the field of power station design in the GDR. In view of the e c o n o m i c s r e o r g a n i z a t i o n which is being c a r r i e d out with p a r t i c i p a t i o n of the u n i v e r s i t i e s and institutes of the USSR Academy of Sciences within the f r a m e w o r k of the u n i v e r s i t y and Academy r e f o r m s , unification is taking place of the production c a p a c i t i e s which exist in the GDR. This in itself is c r e a t i n g the possibility for solving p r o b l e m s a s s o c i a t e d with the c o n s t r u c t i o n of powerful n u c l e a r g e n e r a t ing stations. In addition, scientific and technological collaboration with the USSR is being constantly intensified and expanded, the scientific and industrial potential of which contributes to a g r e a t extent to the r e i n f o r c e m e n t and development of the e c o n o m i c s of the GDR and, i n p a r t i c u l a r , t o t h e field of nuclear energy.

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