ABSTRACT
The collapses of individual uranium slugs caused material defects in the graphite stack of the reactor, which complicated the radiation situation. The authorities of the Medium Machine Building Ministry supported Kurchatov's proposal to dismantle part of the reactor, examine the characteristics of the altered graphite, and replace the collapsed bricks (200 x 200x600 mm) of the graphite stack. The basic job was done by the servicing personnel of the reactor in 1956. Measurements of alterations and collapses in the graphite bricks were made with the assistance of workers from the Central Laboratory and Laboratory No. 5 of the Center. A major contribution to examining the properties of the irradiated graphite was made by V. I . Klimenkov, head of the laboratory team. Subsequent to the reactor discharging and the removal of graphite columns, gamma radiation was measured in particular compartments of the reactor site under the guidance of B . M . Dolishnuk, director of the dosemeter services. After the discharging of uranium the exposure rate at the reactor site was as high as 200 R/h [1461.
