Operation of the IR-8 reactor with IRT-3M type fuel assemblies Original Research Article

The main features of the IR-8 reactor developed at the Russian Research Center `Kurchatov Instituteʹ for investigations in nuclear physics, solid state physics, radiation chemistry, radiobiology as well as for radioisotopes production are described. The features of the IRT-3M type fuel assemblies (FAs) used in the IR-8 and other reactors are described. Data on the IRT-3M type FAs operation experience, confirming their high reliability up to average (by FA volume) burnup of uranium-235 (U-235) as >60%, are adduced.