Nuclear Situation in Slovenia
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
In Slovenia several nuclear facilities exist: a Nuclear Power Plant in Krško, a former Uranium mine in Žirovski vrh near Škofja Loka, and the nuclear research institute "Jožef Stefan" with its "TRIGA" research reactor[1] in Ljubljana.
Uranium Mining
Žirovski vrh is the site where the tailings from the nearby uranium mine were deposited in the past. The mine was permanently closed in the 1990's and the site is now being sanctioned by the company in charge of the closure of the mine, Rudnik Žirovski Vrh, based in Todraž.[2]
Jožef Stefan Institute
"Our research in the domain of reactor physics is directed mostly towards development of new methods for research and power reactor calculations. We work on neutron, photon and electron Monte Carlo transport, nuclear data evaluation, advanced nodal methods, pin cell and fuel element homogenisation and on methods aimed at precise power distribution reconstruction. Several program packages for reactor calculations both for our TRIGA research reactor and Krško nuclear power plant were developed at our department. Since the initial startup of the Krško nuclear power plant we are preparing – in parallel with fuel vendor – entire core design report and also performing physics startup tests using our own – now widespread – rod insertion method. We also study advanced fourth generation reactors, advanced neutron sources and data and materials for fusion technology." self-portrait of the "Jožef Stefan Institute"[3]
NPP Krško
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Overview of the Nuclear History in ex-Yugoslavia
In the former Yugoslavia three nuclear research institutes had been founded during the communist time: Institute "Ruđer Bošković"[4] (Croatia), Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences[5] (Serbia), and "Jožef Stefan" Institute[6] (Slovenia). In one of these institutes long time ago a big accident happend causing some 10 dead people, which was one of the biggest accidents in such a facility. Beginning in the 1960th the nuclear policy of the Slavic countries started with research for Uranium mining. A public awareness for the ecological challenges of nuclear power developed.
- ↑ http://www.rcp.ijs.si/ric/index-a.htm, August 5, 2009
- ↑ Žirovski Vrh Mine, public company for the closure of the mine, site (Slovene): http://www.rudnik-zv.si/index.htm
- ↑ http://www.ijs.si/ijsw/Reactor_Physics_F8, August 5, 2009
- ↑ http://www.irb.hr/en/, August 5, 2009
- ↑ http://www.vin.bg.ac.rs/, August 5, 2009
- ↑ http://www.ijs.si/ijsw/JSI, August 5, 2009
