Calculation results from radiation embrittlement of VVER pressure vessel at Kozloduy NPP Original Research Article

A calculational procedure for the evaluation of the transition temperature shift on the basis of neutron fluence has been applied for assessing the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) embrittlement and life time for a VVER-440/230. The calculated results are lower than the passport values, because the real fuel regimes, the low-leakage schemes and loadings with dummy cassettes have been taken into consideration in neutron fluence calculation. The temperature of the outer wall of the RPV has been measured. No significant deviation between the measurement and the data given in the reactor passport has been observed. This shows the correct application of the calculational procedure.