RBMK Graphite Serviceability at the Final Stage of Operation

A procedure for evaluating the technical conditions and residual service life of the RBMK-1000 graphite masonry and a program of research have been developed in order to evaluate the serviceability and the possibility of service life extension of the RBMK graphite stack at the final stage of operation. The serviceability criteria for the graphite stack, periodicity and methods of controlling them, which, in combination with predictive calculations have made it possible to validate the possibility of safe operation of the RBMK-1000 graphite stack above the assigned service life allowed to substantiate the possibility of safe operation of the graphite stack RBMK-1000 over a designated period of time, were determined.