Algor Software to Help Scientist Prevent Future Chernobyls

ALGOR SOFTWARE TO HELP SCIENTIST PREVENT FUTURE CHERNOBYLS

Many nuclear power plants built just like Chernobyl are still in operation in the former Soviet Union. One experienced researcher in nuclear reactor safety will soon begin working to help make these plants safer.

Dr. Algirdas Marchertas is starting with the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plants in Lithuania, two of the world's largest nuclear power plants and structural clones of Chernobyl. And when he goes to work on the containment of Ignalina's twin reactors, his tool box will be a computer, loaded with Algor engineering software.

Dr. Algirdas Marchertas will soon travel to Lithuania to help make Chernobyl-like nuclear power plants safer. Algor has donated software and training to his efforts.

"We selected Algor's software for a number of reasons, not the least of which are its ease-of-use and substantiated results. Algor's software is compatible with European standards and the computers we will be using in Lithuania. In addition, Algor's software has already met the rigorous standards of the U.S. nuclear industry," said Dr. Marchertas.

Algor software meets the nuclear industry quality assurance standards established by 10CFR50, Appendix B and 10CFR21 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

"The team will gather data using Algor's engineering analysis software that should apply to all Soviet RBMK-type reactors, like the one at Chernobyl. "Our aim will be to strive for a better understanding of these reactors and how we can make them safer to help prevent future Chernobyls," said Dr. Marchertas, who spent nearly 30 years at the U.S. Argonne National Laboratory working on jobs related to nuclear reactor safety, before joining the engineering faculty at Northern Illinois University.

Representatives of the Lithuanian government and the rector of Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania, asked Dr. Marchertas to take a sabbatical from the university to analyze the structures and systems that are supposed to confine radioactivity at Ignalina. The university research team working on the safety of the Ignalina nuclear power plant is now affiliated with the Lithuanian Energy Institute.

Dr. Marchertas has decided to use Algor's family of engineering design and analysis software to help him analyze the containment structures at Ignalina, which are built from the same blueprint as Chernobyl, but on a larger scale.

Algor will donate both software and support to the project. "Not only is Algor giving the team a complete line of engineering analysis software," said Dr. Marchertas, "They are also providing cost-free training in its use, and continued technical support throughout the entire program."

"We understand the importance to families all over the world of doing everything possible to make certain there is no repeat of Chernobyl," said Algor President Michael L. Bussler, "That's why we are putting out complete support behind this effort."

Under Soviet rule, Ignalina was operated by Russians only. The Russians are still there, but the new Lithuanian government would like to know more about the reactors and especially their safety. In the process, they wish to raise safety standards beyond the suspect level maintained under Soviet rule.

Many Small Structures with Potential Leaks

In the U.S. and Western Europe, the system of structures that prevent radioactive leaks is built around the entire facility. Some reactors built in the former Soviet Union have smaller containment structures erected around vulnerable locations, such as the piping system used to cool the reactor core.

Dr. Marchertas will use Algor software to create models of these local containment structures, then apply appropriate loads. Given the composition of the structure and other input, Algor software will tell Dr. Marchertas the level of pressure the structures can withstand, how long each may be expected to last and where they might start to leak.

"We will also be able to test potential improvements to the confinement systems of plants like Ignalina and Chernobyl," said Dr. Marchertas.

"I will stay for at least one semester, about four months, which will certainly give us the opportunity to get the ball rolling. If I can find funding, however, I will stay for a full academic year and oversee the continuation of the project, and hopefully application of the results," said Dr. Marchertas.

Algor is Popular for Protection

Algor software has been used to analyze a variety of containment vessels, piping systems and other structures designed to contain radioactive materials in facilities throughout the world. Approximately 10 percent of Algor's 10,000 engineer customers use the software to design or test products, processes and facilities for safety and environmental reasons.