Kurchatov Institute Research Articles

Optimization models of a two-component nuclear energy system with thermal and fast reactors in a closed nuclear fuel cycle

The article presents a description and some illustrative results of the application of two optimization models for a two-component nuclear energy system consisting of thermal and fast reactors in a closed nuclear fuel cycle. These models correspond to two possible options of developing Russian nuclear energy system, which are discussed in the expert community: (1) thermal and fast reactors utilizing uranium and mixed oxide fuel, (2) thermal reactors utilizing uranium oxide fuel and fast reactors utilizing mixed nitride uranium-plutonium fuel. The optimization models elaborated using the IAEA MESSAGE energy planning tool make it possible not only to optimize the nuclear energy system structure according to the economic criterion, taking into account resource and infrastructural constraints, but also to be used as a basis for developing multi-objective, stochastic and robust optimization models of a two-component nuclear energy system. These models were elaborated in full compliance with the recommendations of the IAEA’s PESS and INPRO sections, regarding the specification of nuclear energy systems in MESSAGE. The study is based on publications of experts from NRC “Kurchatov Institute”, JSC “SSC RF-IPPE”, ITCP “Proryv”, JSC “NIKIET”. The presented results demonstrate the characteristic structural features of a two-component nuclear energy system for conservative assumptions in order to illustrate the capabilities of the developed optimization models. Consideration is also given to the economic feasibility of a technologically diversified nuclear energy structure providing the possibility of forming on its base a robust system in the future. It has been demonstrated that given the current uncertainties in the costs of nuclear fuel cycle services and reactor technologies, it is impossible at the moment to make a reasonable conclusion regarding the greatest attractiveness of a particular option in terms of the economic performance.

Development of a Microfluidic Chip for Protein Crystallization by the Microbatch Method

A composite microfluidic chip (MFC), which comprises a technological system for protein crystal growth followed by X-ray crystallography, was developed. Crystallization tests were performed using chicken egg-white lysozyme, aminotransferase from Methanococcus vannielii, and esterase PMGL2 from the permafrost metagenomic library. Materials (borosilicate glass and poly(methyl methacrylate)) for MFC fabrication were compared. The use of poly(methyl methacrylate) was shown to allow comparative in situ X-ray crystallography of protein crystals directly in the chip. Investigations and experiments were carried out at the BELOK beamline at the Kurchatov synchrotron radiation source (National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”).

On multistage development of ITER High Field Side Reflectometry diagnostic module design based on thermal stress numerical assessment

The High Field Side Reflectometry (HFSR) is one of the ITER diagnostics which provides information about plasma state by measuring the electron density profile. Five various designs have been developed and studied since 2014 as a result of interaction of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, NRC “Kurchatov Institute”, and Fusion Centre. Multiphysics engineering finite-element analysis has been performed for each of the HFSR designs. The study deals with thermal loads which were discovered to be the most significant from structural integrity point of view. On the basis of the obtained results the decisions on introducing structural changes into individual parts of the diagnostics were made by the designers of the Kurchatov Institute.Key features of the proposed mathematical model and results of numerical simulations, which demonstrate a stress state of the diagnostics, are given. The process of multistage diagnostic design development based on the finite element analysis results is presented.

2nd International Telecommunication Conference “Advanced Micro - and Nanoelectronic Systems and Technologies”

Second International Telecommunication Conference on Advanced Micro - and Nanoelectronic Systems and TechnologiesV S Pershenkov, D S Veselov and G I Zebrev*National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (MEPhI), Kashirskoe shosse 31, Moscow, 115409, Russian FederationCorresponding author’s e-mail address: GIZebrev@mephi.ruSecond International Telecommunication Conference on Advanced Micro - and Nanoelectronic Systems and Technologies took place from June 1st to June 2nd 2017 at National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute). It was organized by the Micro - and Nanoelectronic Department of National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (the oldest Microelectronic department in Russia (USSR).The Conference consists of one plenary and three oral and poster sessions. The plenary session presented the most significant results of Micro - and Nanoelectronic Department MEPHI and other participants. This Conference provides to participants an opportunity to discuss their scientific and technical results in a wide audience of leading industry experts.The main topics of the Conference were• Semiconductor physics;• Design of micro - and nanosystems;• Manufacturing technology of micro - and nanosystems.More than 150 specialists on Micro - and Nanoelectronics took part in the Conference. They represented leading Russian scientific research centres and universities (such as National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, All-Russia Research Institute of Automatics (VNIIA), Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), Moscow Power Engineering Institute, Moscow State University of Mechanical Engineering (MAMI), D. Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia and many others) and universities from Armenia, Belarus, Ukraine, Germany, Colombia, Spain, South Korea, Republic of Uzbekistan.We would like to thank all of the speakers, participants and organizing committee members for their contribution to the Conference.

Beam Ion–Driven Alfvén Instabilities in T-15 Baseline Scenario

Properties of toroidal Alfvén eigenmodes (TAEs), driven by neutral beam injection (NBI) hot ions, are described for the tokamak T-15 under construction in the Kurchatov Institute to test a possible influence on the beam and plasma particle losses. The T-15 baseline scenario with a 10-s flat-top 2 MA current stage, 6-MW NBI plus 6 MW of electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) heating is computed with the ASTRA code. The spatial structure and the frequencies of different TAE modes with the toroidal indexes n = 2 to 8 have been obtained with the ideal magnetohydrodynamic KINX code. The bulk plasma Landau damping, linear growth rates, and nonlinear evolution of the TAE mode amplitudes driven by the NBI ions have been computed with the VENUS code. Our numerical estimations for the T-15 TAE modes are compared with experimental and theoretical results for the DIII-D and NSTX tokamaks.

Experimental Studies of the Efficiency of Heat-and-Mass Transfer Intensifier Spacer-Grids

Several variants of intensifier grids which have a positive influence on the equalization of the coolant parameters over a section of an assembly as well as on the enhancement of critical heat-emission are proposed for intensifying heat-and mass-transfer in connection with the increase in the power of operating power-generating units with VVER. A large volume of experimental studies of the efficiency of different types of intensifier grids has been conducted at the National Research Center Kurchatov Institute. Among the intensifier grids studied is the developed universal intensifier spacer-grid. The investigations were performed on 37-pin models of VVER-1000 fuel assemblies. The influence of the grid spacing on the critical heat flux was studied. The dependence of the hydraulic resistance of a grid on the size of the deflector was studied. The experimental studies can be used to develop intensifier grids with new designs and to verify computational models and codes.

Use of MeV energy ion accelerators to simulate the neutron damage in fusion reactor materials

This paper describes experimental techniques for irradiation of fusion reactor materials with MeV energy ions. The studies were conducted at the NRC “Kurchatov Institute” – ITEP. Two MeV-range linear ion accelerators were used for sample irradiation: the Heavy Ion Prototype (HIPr) accelerator with heavy ions and I-2 accelerator with protons. Target chambers of HIPr accelerator were modified to provide the simultaneous irradiation of four 10 × 10 mm2 samples at controlled elevated temperatures. Damage rates and profiles were calculated using the SRIM code. HIPr accelerator provided the damage of tungsten samples with 5.6 MeV Fe2+ ions at a rate of 0.05 dpa/h. I-2 accelerator was used to irradiate tungsten samples with 22 MeV protons to create a uniform damage profile at a depth of 0–400 μm with a rate of 5 × 10−7 dpa/h. Irradiation of tungsten samples with high energy protons causes generation of 183Re and 184Re with a half-life period of 70 and 38 days, respectively. Thus, the samples irradiated with a proton fluence of up to 1020 protons/m2 are subject to one year aging before manual handling.

Tokamak T-15MD—Two years before the physical start-up

At the present time, in the NRC Kurchatov Institute under the auspices of the Federal Target Program “Nuclear energy-technologies of new generation for period 2010–2015 and to the prospect until 2020” the tokamak T-15MD and supporting facilities are being built. The preassembly of the tokamak T-15MD magnet system together with the vacuum vessel was completed at a plant in Bryansk. All elements of the magnet system and vacuum vessel have been delivered to the NRC “Kurchatov Institute” in Moscow for the tokamak T-15MD assembly. It is expected that the T-15MD assembly will be completed in March of 2019. The reconstruction of the sub-station 110/10/04 kV for own needs was completed in 2017 and the reconstruction of the main sub-station 110/10/1 kV, 300 MW was completed in 2018. Twenty- two of the new transformers 10/1 kV and 20 new thyristor convertors will be installed during 2018–2019 period. One gyrotron with output power 1 MW for pre-ionization should be installed in 2019. Tokamak T-15MD connection to water and electrical communication and also the adjustment of control system will be completed in the middle of 2020. Physical start-up T-15MD is scheduled for December 2020 year.

Solenoid from Experimental HTS tape for Magnetic Refrigeration

The project of superconducting magnetic system (SMS) for the magnetic refrigerator machine is proposed. The second-generation high-temperature superconducting tapes for SMS are developed, fabricated and tested in NRC Kurchatov Institute. The magnet consists of 12 non-insulated double pancake coils. The SMS is installed in the vacuum chamber and cooled by a cryo refrigerator.

Neutronic evaluation of the steady-state operation of a 20 kWth Aqueous Homogeneous Reactor for Mo-99 production

Nowadays, 99mTc is the most common radioisotope used in nuclear medicine, with up to 30–40 million procedures worldwide every year. Furthermore, medical diagnostic imaging techniques using 99mTc represent approximately 80% of all nuclear medicine procedures. Currently, 99mTc is almost exclusively produced from the beta-decay of its 66-h parent 99Mo. The 99Mo production in an Aqueous Homogeneous Reactor (AHR) is potentially advantageous because of its low cost, small critical mass, inherent passive safety, and simplified fuel handling, processing, and purification characteristics. This paper studies an AHR conceptual design using low-enriched uranium for the production of 99Mo. Aspects related to the neutronic behavior such as critical height, medical isotopes production, uranium consumption, plutonium production and the reactivity feedback introduced in the solution by the volumetric expansion of the fuel solution were evaluated using the computational code MCNPX version 2.6e. In addition, important reactor kinetic parameters such as the effective delayed neutron fraction, βeff, and mean neutron generation time, Λ, were calculated. A benchmarking exercise was solved using available results of critical experiments performed at the Russian Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”. The neutronic calculations demonstrated that the reactor is able to produce 99 six-day Ci of 99Mo in operation cycles of five days. The reactivity feedbacks introduced by the volumetric expansion of the fuel solution is at about −1460 pcm, which represents approximately the 48% of the planned initial reactivity reserve in the core. The calculated effective delayed neutron fraction and the average mean neutron generation time were 785 pcm and 134.08 µs, respectively.

Исследования объектов культурного наследия в НИЦ «Курчатовский институт» синхротронными, нейтронными и электронно-микроскопическими методами

Исследования объектов культурного наследия в НИЦ «Курчатовский институт» синхротронными, нейтронными и электронно-микроскопическими методами

D.Sc. in Chemistry, Head of the Labora tory, Siberian Physical-Technical Insti tute of Tomsk State University

The article considers and analyzes an important stage in the development of laser systems for metal vapor from the point of view of biomedical applications. Since the advent of the first generation of domestic medical facilities with pulsed lasers on metal vapors, in particular, copper vapors (LSM), which were created in the FSUE “Research and Production Enterprise ‘Istok’”, not much time has passed. Now similar studies are widely developed and include a variety of uses, for instance, in oncology for treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT), angioplasty of intravascular destruction of atherosclerotic lesions, dermatology and cosmetology for the treatment of facial skin defects, as well as otorhinolaryngology, gynecology, proctology, urology, and others. In that cases, doctors use the Yantar-2Fand Yakhroma-2 installations, developed on the basis of the “Kurs” LPM with radiation wavelengths λ = 510.6 nm and 578 nm and the average radiation power Prad= 5–10 W and tunable in wavelengths in the range of λ = 620–670 nm. Laser radiation is delivered to the affected area of a bio-object using a flexible light-guide cable with a diameter of 400, 600 or 800 μm fiber, which is one of the most convenient medical instruments. A compact and air-cooled medical installation of the new generation “Yakhroma-Med” based on the pulsed LPM “Kulon” with an average radiation power at the output of the light-guide cable Prad= 1–3 W uses in dermatology and cosmetology (together with the Lebedev Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences). Today, YakhromaMed is the leader in non-ablative technologies and is optimal for removing vascular, pigmented and unstained skin defects, treating acne and smoothing wrinkles. It is used in more than 100 clinics in Russia and abroad. Moreover, for scientific and practical medicine in the field of oncology, low-intensity laser therapy and surgery, dermatology and cosmetology, etc., a compact air-cooled industrial multifunctional high-intensity medical unit “Kulon-Med” (similar to Yakhroma-Med) based on two pulsed lasers was developed: LM “Kulon” with an average radiation power Prad= 10 W and LVRK with radiation tunable in wavelengths in the range λ = 620–750 nm and radiation power Prad= 1–3 W (together with Ltd. NPP VELIT, Kurchatov Institute and the Hertzen Hermitage Research and Development Institute). The laser radiation is transported using four flexible light-guide cables with a conductive quartz fiber diameter of 400 and 600 μm, which makes it possible to perform a therapeutic and prophylactic procedure simultaneously in several rooms. Medical facilities of this class have been put in many medical institutions. This report on the use of CVL in medicine says only about the developments in theMoscow region.

Obtaining the composite cathode for magnetic spraying of functional coatings

The technology of obtaining composite cathodes for vacuum magnetron deposition of functional coatings has been developed and masteredin the Scientific Nanotechnological Center of the NRC “Kurchatov Institute” – CRISM “Prometey”. The example of the Ti–Ru system shows the prospects for creating composite cathodes from expensive and hard-deforming materials by means of activated soldering with amorphous solders.

Новая рекомбинантная фитаза из Kosakonia sacchari: характеристика и биотехнологический потенциал

A DNA sequence from Kosakonia sacchari that according to automated computer analysis is believed to correspond to a gene for histidine acid phytase has been selected from the GenBank database. The sequence was optimized for codon composition, synthesized, cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris. Main characteristics of the purified recombinant enzyme were determined. It was established that the values of pH=4.5 and temperature of 50 °C are optimal for the phytase functioning. The values of specific activity, Michaelis constant (Km) and maximum reaction rate (Vmax) with phytate as a substrate were 1470 U/mg, 193 uM and 2167 umol/(min ∙ mg), respectively. It was shown that the enzyme was characterized by a wide range of working pH. Therefore, the properties of a new recombinant phytase allow us to consider it as a high-potential enzyme for agrobiotechnology. histidine acid phosphatases, Kosakonia sacchari phytase, Pichia pastoris The work was financially supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation (Unique Project Identifier RFMEFI57917X0145) and was carried out using the Multipurpose Scientific Installation of National Bio-resource Center «All-Russian Collection of Industrial Microorganisms», NRC «Kurchatov Institute» - GOSNIIGENETIKA.

Влияние суперэкспрессии генов НАС1 из Pichia pastoris и Saccharomyces cerevisiae на продукцию гетерологичных фитазы и ксиланазы в P. pastoris

Effect of overexpression of the HAC1 genes from Pichia pastoris and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the production of heterologous enzymes, Escherichia coli phytase and Paenibacillus brasilensis xylanase, in P. pastoris cells has been studied. Codon composition of the phytase and xylanase encoding genes was optimized, and the genes were expressed in P. pastoris under the control of AOX1 promoter. The obtained multi-copy strains produced in vitro 927 U/mL phytase and 1,401 U/ml xylanase activity. Overexpression of the HAC1 gene from P. pastoris was shown to increase the phytase and xylanase production by 46% and 41%, respectively. Overexpression of HAC1 from S. cerevisiae increased the phytase production by 28% and xylanase by 20%. Data obtained could be helpful in the construction of industrial enzyme-producing strains based on P. pastoris. phytase, xylanase, Нас1р transcription activator, UPR, Pichia pastoris, Saccharomyces cerevisiae The work was carried out using Multipurpose Scientific Installation All-Russian Collection of Industrial Microorganisms National Bioresource Center, NRC «Kurchatov Institute» -GosNIIgenetika. The authors are grateful to A.V. Nikulin (Sintol LLC, Russia) for the assistance in the real-time PCR experiments. The work was financially supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation (Unique Identifiers of the Projects are RFMEFI57917X0145 and RFMEFI60717X0180).

Коэкспрессия генов, кодирующих β-глюканазы различного происхождения, как подход к созданию рекомбинантных дрожжевых штаммов-продуцентов ферментов с оптимальными свойствами

The co-expression of genes encoding β-glucanases from Paenibacillus jamilae and Rhizomucor miehei in the Komagataella kurtzmanii methylotrophic yeast system has been carried out. The recombinant strains that simultaneously produced both enzymes with a total activity of 1132 and 1464 units for 96 h of cultivation in flasks were obtained. The combination of enzyme properties made it possible to achieve a substantial extension of the pH range of β-glucanase activity, as well as to bring the temperature and pH optima of the enzymes closer to those optimal for use in feed production. A vector has been developed that allows the efficient simultaneous expression of genes due to the sequential integration of expression cassettes into the recipient strain chromosome. It was also shown that a change in the ratio of the number of genes integrated into the chromosome of the host cell allows to directionally influence the total properties of recombinant enzymes. co-expression, β-glucanase, β-glucan, Paenibacillus jamilae, Rhizomucor miehei, Komagataella kurtzmanii, Pichia pastoris The work was financially supported by the Ministry of Science and Education (Project Unique Identifier RFMEFI60717X0179) using the Multipurpose Scientific Installation of National Bio-Resource Center «All-Russian Collection of Industrial Microorganisms», NRC «Kurchatov Institute» - GOSNIIGENETIKA.

Prediction of steel resistance to stress corrosion cracking in seawater based on accelerated tests and structural studies

The paper presents the tests results of resistance of various structural steel classes to SCC in chloride solutions. The experiments were performed using cantilever bending tests developed by NRC “Kurchatov Institute” – CRISM “Prometey” with stepwise increasing load of Charpy-type precracking specimens. The criterion estimation of resistance to SCC when β = σSCC/σC > 0.85 was confirmed by the laboratory test results compared with the case studies of corrosion-mechanical fracture of shipbuilding structures in real life service conditions. A new approach of SCC susceptibility of austenitic stainless steels in marine conditions is proposed. It is based on estimation of the critical temperature of SCC when testing for SSRT in a concentrated solution of calcium chloride at temperatures from 20°C to 100°C. Specific features of the structural-phase composition of steels that detrimentally affect the resistance to SCC were discovered during the complex testing.

Убиквитин-специфичная протеиназа E. coli не нуждается в обязательном наличии дипептида GlyGly в сайте процессинга

It was shown that unlike eukaryotic ubiquitin-specific proteinases (DUBs deubiquitinating enzymes) deubiquitinase ElaD E.coli does not need obligatory presence of GlyGly dipeptide at the processing site and is capable to process sites GlyGly and GlyAla with equal efficiency. At the same time similar to eukaryotic DUB the bacterial enzyme does not process sites with dipeptides AlaGly, AlaAla or GlyPro. Considering functional mission of the deubiquitinating agent of E. coli, decrease in its specificity can be considered as valuable evolutional acquisition allowing to expand a list of the molecular targets being attacked during pathogenesis. ubiquitin, DUB, E. coli proteinase, elaD, virulence factor The authors sincerely thank the staff of the NRC «Kurchatov Institute» -GosNIIgenetika Drs. Skorokhodova A. Yu. and Goulevitch A.Yu. for designing and supplying the strain BL21(DE3)Ae/aD for the present work.

Использование альтернативного пути синтеза изолейцина в штаммах Escherichia coli - продуцентах треонина

An E. coli strain in which all known pathways of threonine catabolism were inactivated (Δtdh, ΔltaE, ΔAilvA, ΔtdcB, AyiaY) has been constructed. The possibility of an alternative pathway for the isoleucine synthesis by expressing heterologous citramalate synthase from Leptospira interrogans in an E. coli strain carrying the ΔilvA deletion was demonstrated. It was observed that the cimA overexpression has a negative effect on the threonine production. We developed a system for regulated gene expression based on the inducible promoter PLtetO and TetR repressor of the tetracycline operon. A threonine producing strain B-1201 in which the cimA gene is expressed under the control of the regulated promoter was constructed. A correlation of the threonine productivity and the expression level of the cimA gene was shown by culturing the B-1201 strain in fermenter. The optimal inductor content for the maximum threonine accumulation was also determined. Escherichia coli, strain, threonine, citramalate synthase This work was supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation (project code RFMEFI61017X0011), and it was carried out using the equipment of the National Bio-Resource Center «All-Russian Collection of Industrial Microorganisms», NRC «Kurchatov Institute» - GOSNIIGENETIKA. The authors are grateful to Dr. I. V. Manukhov for providing the MG1655Z1strain and pZE21-lux plasmid, and for teaching techniques of bioluminescence measuring.

Plan of NNbar experiment at the WWR-M reactor

We propose an experiment to search for neutron–antineutron oscillations based on the storage of ultracold neutrons (UCN) in a material trap. This experiment will be competitive due to a new UCN source which is under construction at the NRC “Kurchatov Institute” – PNPI. It is expected to provide UCN densities by 2–3 orders of magnitude higher than at existing sources. The sensitivity of our experiment mostly depends on the trap size and the stored number of UCN. Simulations show that this can be increased by ∼ 10–40 times compared to the best previous experiment, dependent upon a model of neutron reflection from walls. The project currently includes designs of the UCN chamber, magnetic shielding and the detector system, as well as simulations of neutron storage and detection of annihilations events.