No abstract

In seeking optimal means of decommissioning atomic submarines, experience with reactor compartments that incorporate marine nuclear-power units proves especially useful. As part of the withdrawal of Russian forces from Estonia, two experimental marine nuclear-power plants at the VMF training center, Paldiski, have been conserved for up to 50 years. TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF TRAINING CENTERAt the end of the 1960s, at Paldiski in the Pakri region of Estonia. the VMF training center with two experimental nuclear power plants was founded for crew training. The power plants, which were the prototypes of those used in nuclear submarines, were installed in metallic containers (compartments) of the same geometry and dimensions as mass-produced submarines. As well as reactor components, the teststands included adjacent compartments containing auxiliary power. electromechanical, monitoring and control, and other equipment.The appropriate infrastructure for normal functioning of the power plants on the site was provided, including the auxiliary equipment required to maintain the effective operation of the power units and to ensure radiational protection of the staff and the environment.The following basic units were installed at the site: the principal technological building including two containers with VM-A and VM-4 nuclear power plants; a pump building for supplying the water to the cooling systems in a closed loop, with removal of the excess heat through a cooling tower; a facility for processing the liquid radioactive waste; a storage unit for liquid and solid radioactive wastes; a ventilational center; a laboratory and technological complex; and auxiliary equipment such as boilers, specialized laundry facilities, a garage, and a warehouse.Each nuclear power unit in the reactor compartment included a reactor, steam generators, and pumps and other systems for the primary and secondary loops. Adjacent compartments provided the necessary equipment for normal operation of the system and for monitoring and control functions. The equipment was produced in the form of cylindrical modules, which were divided by means of internal barriers into functional compartments. The radioactive equipment and systems were only present in the reactor components.The basic characteristics of the nuclear power unit are as follows [1]

No abstract