On the 30th of September, 2017 the first extra cobalt absorbers were loaded to the reactor Smolensk-1 (a branch of Rosenergoatom, part of Power Division of ROSATOM). This has been the significant step to large-scale development of the current radiation technologies to produce the chemical element which does not exist in the nature but is needed for medicine and industry. 

Cobalt-60 is stably in high commercial demand in the Russian and foreign market and has a decade-long growth prospective. Со-60 has already widely used for sterilization of foods, medical tools and materials; to stimulate growth and yield of crops and vegetables; disinfection and clean-up of industrial waste; radiation surgery of various pathologies; and gamma flaw detection of a wide range of items. 

Greeting the nuclear power plant team with a new start-up, Plant Manager Pavel Lubensky noted: “This is a key event in achieving the strategic goal of ROSATOM to create new products for Russian and international markets. The divisions of the plant have put maximum efforts to timely start producing Co-60 and the project implementation is the bright example of efficient teamwork.” 

In turn, Smolensk Plant Deputy Chief Engineer for Safety and Reliability Aleksandr Abaimov said: “Our reactors are capable of not only stably supply consumers with electricity but also to make valuable products during operation, which need is continuously growing.” According to Abaimov, the design features of RBMK (large power channel-type reactor) allow to load and unload extra cobalt absorbers at any time and irradiate large amount of start-up material without violating the process cycle.” 

The cobalt absorbers loading process does not differ from that of standard additional boron carbide absorbers which is done by the refueling machine. It is done by the reactor department personnel guided by the main control room staff. To get the needed isotope takes about five years. 

“The extra cobalt absorbers have two functions: the economical production of isotopes to get gamma-radiation sources and achieve safe operation of the reactor through maintaining the steam coefficient of reactivity within the limits set up by the process regulations,” said Deputy Head of Department for Radiation Technologies of Smolensk NPP Ruslan Smirnov. 

Russian nuclear workers play an important part in the world cobalt supplies. And using special features of RBMKs, Rosenergoatom is the leader in its production in Russia. Over 20 years Leningrad NPP has been producing cobalt successfully. To preserve and increase the share of Co-60 in the world market in 2016, a project has been initiated to set up cobalt-60 productions at Smolensk and Kursk NPPs. 

Before the end of 2017, at Smolensk NPP about 20 cobalt absorbers will be additionally loaded into the reactor of Unit 1. They are produced by Mashinostroitelny Zavod. In 2018–2019, extra cobalt absorbers will be loaded in reactors of Units 2 and 3 of Smolensk NPP and Unit 4 of Kursk NPP.