Armenia

Armenian Scientific Research Institute for Nuclear Plant Operation (SRI ARMATOM)

The Institute was established in 1973. It mainly specialized in developing and introducing training and re-training programmes for nuclear power plant personnel, including creation of life-size simulators. Armatom became a leader in this area in the Soviet Union.

The Institute conducted research on operational safety of nuclear power plants in seismic conditions. A system of industrial anti-seismic protection has been designed and launched into production. The Institute’s most critical R&D focuses on increasing safety at the Armenian nuclear power plant.

In Soviet times the institute undertook some weapons-related work, and employed about 500 people, but this has since reduced to 100.

The Institute operates an International Centre of Nuclear Safety. Other labs and divisions of Armatom comprise:

• Safety of Nuclear Power Plants, Information Systems and Development of Simulators;
• Scientifi c and Technical Support of Energy Units Operation at Nuclear Power Plants;
• Computing Equipment; Scientific-Technical Support and Energy Units Repair at Atomic Stations;
• Energy Unit Control and Operational Systems;
• Development of Seismic Protection Systems and Maintenance of Electronic Measurement and Control Devices; and Technical design.

Armatom works closely with the international nuclear institutes, including national laboratories such as PNNL, ANL, DS&S (USA), Spanish Tecnatom, Italian SOGIN, KFKI (Hungary), Kurchatov Institute, VNIIAES, OKB Gidropress (Russia) and VUJE (Slovakia).

http://www.spyur.am/eng/1709.htm - Armenian Scientific Research Institute for Nuclear Plant Operation