Changing the Status of the Krylov Shipbuilding Research Institute to an LEU Facility by Removing HEU from the Site

In the 1990's, the Institute, being aware of changes in government policies, conducted an analysis of projected government acquisitions; the analysis indicated that there was no need in the future for continuing the experimental studies which would require the use of the critical and subritical assemblies. After reviewing the situation with the General Buyer and with the management of our agency a joint decision was made that there was no further reason to continue operating these assemblies and that the process should be started to dismantle them. The regulations in effect in the Russian Federation governing criticality and radiation safety require that the dismantling of critical and subcritical assemblies be carried out in three consecutive stages: • Extended shut-down; • Final shut-down; • Decommissioning.