Monitoring of the neutron fluence on the structural components of a VVR-M reactor

Experimental and computational methods for monitoring the fluence of fast neutrons on the most critical structural components of the VVR-M reactor are presented. The dynamics of the accumulation of the fluence at the bases of the experimental channels and the bearing lattice of the core over the last 10 years of reactor operation is presented. A method of preirradiation of samples of the main structural alloy CAB-1 under real conditions in the VVR-M core was developed. This made it possible to reach a fluence up to 2.5·10^sup 22^ cm^sup -2^ on the samples. Over 40 years of reactor operation the maximum fluence on the structural components reached 1.7·10^sup 22^ cm^sup -2^. The study of the mechanical properties of forcibly irradiated samples will make it possible to draw conclusions about the remaining period of safe operation of the reactor. This is important for practical applications and is of economic value. 2 figures, 1 table, 14 references.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]