MELEKESS REACTOR DEVELOPMENT SITE ATOMIC ENERGY FACILITIES USSR (Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T04563A000800010074-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 29, 2003
• Sequence Number: 74
• Publication Date: November 1, 1970
• Content Type: REPORT

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BASIC IMAGERY
INTERPRETATION
REPORT
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION CENTER
MELEKESS REACTOR DEVELOPMENT SITE
ATOMIC ENERGY FACILITIES
USSR
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DECLASS REVIEW by NIMA/DOD
TOP SECRET 25X1
RCA-14/0015/79 COPY NO
12 PAGES
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Melekess Reactor Development Site
UTM COORDINATES
NA
GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES
54-11-16N 049-28-38E
25XSIAC. USATC, Series 200, Sheet 0165-11, scale 1:200,000
NEGATION DATE (If required)
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ABSTRACT
1. The Melekess Reactor Development Site, USSR, consists of a reactor test area and
a main support area. The reactor test area contains five nuclear research reactors, a
radiochemical laboratory, and a metallurgical laboratory. The main support area contains
a possible fuel element fabrication facility. The site also contains facilities for the
treatment and disposal of radioactive wastes.
2. This report updates the NPIC report of the Melekess Reactor Development Site
25XVublished in and includes annotated photography, line drawings, and
mensural and reference a a.
INTRODUCTION
3. The Melekess Reactor Development Site is located approximately 4.8 nautical
miles (nm) southwest of the center of Melekess, USSR (Figure 1). It occupies an area of
approximately 325 acres. The site, which is heavily wooded, is approximately 40 nm east-
southeast of Ulyanovsk and 175 nm south-southwest of Kuybyshev.
4. The site is rail served by a spur from the Ulyanovsk-Melekess rail line, which is part
of the Kuybyshev railroad system. A good road network connects the reactor development
site to the town of Melekess. The site is situated on a series of low hills southwest of
Melekess and is approximately 945 meters (3,100 feet) from the Kuybyshev reservoir. The
first interpretable photographic coverage of the site was obtained in
BASIC DESCRIPTION
5. The Melekess Reactor Development Site is divided into a reactor test area and a
main support area. The reactor test area contains five nuclear reactors, a radiochemical
laboratory, a metallurgical laboratory, a suspect critical assembly facility, a possible
fluoride volatility plant, and radioactive waste disposal facilities. The main support area
contains a vehicle maintenance building, a thermal powerplant, and a possible fuel element
fabrication facility.
Reactor Test Area
6. The reactor test area measures approximately 1,220 meters square (4,000 feet
square) and is secured by a single fence (Figures 2 and 3). The road and rail service to the
area has remained practically unchanged since A brief description of the
components of the reactor test area in this report updates and supplements information
contained in the 1965 report. The radioactive waste disposal facilities are also discussed in
detail.
SM-2 Materials Testing Reactor
7. The SM-2 (item 8, Figure 3 and Table 1) is reported to be a flux-type reactor with
an estimated capacity of 50 megawatts thermal. The reactor was under construction in 1959
and the emission of vapor from the larger of two cooling towers (item 24) noted in
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25X1 indicated it to be operational. 2,3 The SM-2 was the only reactor operating in
25X1 A neutron beam tube, identified on photography of Iconnects the
east end of the reactor building to a target building approximately
from the reactor building.
8. New construction since 1965 consists of an underground. tank, approximately 18
meters (60 feet) in diameter, south of the reactor building. Five small transformers are
newly identified southeast of the reactor building, and three possible transformers at the
southwest end. Three support buildings have been constructed southeast of the reactor
building, and a covered trench (not shown on Figure 3) carrying a probable pipeline passes
the south end of the three buildings.
9. It is reported that the SM-2 is a pressurized, water-cooled reactor which is fueled
with enriched uranium. Loop channels are used for experiments, and the testing of neutron
beams is one of the functions of the reactor.4
MIR Materials Testing Reactor
25X1 10 Analysis of 0 imaaery indicated that the reactor building (item 27) was
25X1 under construction, and in it was approaching the final stages of
construction. The three wings adjoining the circular reactor building contain control and
laboratory facilities. Five probable transformers are arranged against the east wall of the
reactor building, and cables from the transformers probably project through rectangular
slots in the wall. A metal stack adjoins the north wall of the reactor building. Photography
25X1 of revealed a long cylindrical tank emplaced in an excavation
25X1 approximate y north of the building; the tank was subsequently earth
covered. The MIR reportedly is a pool-type reactor which was operational in 1967. The
reactor is fueled with enriched uranium and contains 16 test loops.4
VK-50 Boiling Water Reactor
TOP SV RY
11. The reactor building (item 25) was under construction in and
25X1 completed in The reactor is probably located beneath the high-bay
section of the building; it is connected by a single loop to a steam turbine. Three
transmission lines from the north side of the reactor building connect to an electric power
substation (Substation A, Figure 3). The boiling water reactor is designated as Melekess
25X1 Nuclear Powerplant Ulyanovsk Soviet open source literature reported
that the reactor was a boiling water power generator of approximately 70 megawatts
n
25X1 capacity and had become operational ml
301
BOR-60 Fast Experimental Reactor
12. Construction of the reactor building (item 26) was first seen on photography of
h
at
what, trees were removed from the site. Although the Soviet union reported t
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indicated that construction of the building was bus approaching the final stages:
the reactor was operational in photographic coverage of
13. The reactor is located beneath the high-bay portion of the building and the
generator hall is at the west end of the building (inset, Figure 3). The low section south of
the generator hall will probably contain the canal for the storage of spent fuel. The
condensers for the reactor coolant are probably in a buildin (item 53) northwest of the
reactor building. Three cooling towers, each approximately n diameter,
are on top of this building; the cooling towers were first seen on photography o
14. A railroad spur that previously served the reactor building has been removed, as
have the security fence and wall that surrounded the building area. In trench
containing a double pipeline was under construction from the reactor building in a
northeast direction. A second trench parallels the pipeline trench on the north side.
15. reported that the BOR-60 is a fast
reactor and would attempt to breed its own tuel. e reactor was designed to operate on
natural uranium, and if the reactor operated successfully, it would be a model for future
nuclear powerplants. Power intensity reportedly started at 60 megawatts thermal, and the
coolant was sodium.8
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ARBUS Nuclear Powerplant
16. This reactor apparently was developed at Melekess. It is probably housed in a
building (item 19) that has an associated metal stack at the north corner; the stack is
approximately in diameter. Four roof
roof vents are located on the building. A transformer is also identified at the southeast end
of the building, adjacent to a shedlike structure that apparently contains additional
electrical equipment. A horizontal tank at the northwest end of the building may be used to
store organic fluids. The reactor is southeast of the smallest of three water cooling towers
(item 22), which probably once served as a cooling source for the powerplant's condensers.
This cooling tower is now partially dismantled. The building is not rail served.
17. Soviet news sources reported in December 1968 that the ARBUS was an
experimental powerplant capable of being dismantled and transported and used an organic
fluid as a heat transfer agent.9
Radiochemical Laboratory
18. The radiochemical laboratory (item 9) is a T-shaped building used for studying
techniques of reprocessing irradiated fuel and separating some of the transuranium
elements.3 The hot cells necessary for this type of operation are probably located in the
southeast (stem of the "T") section. The northwest section, which is not as high as the
southeast section, probably houses administrative personnel and facilities for the handlin
g
the southeast section was under construction. In the southeast section was 25X1
externally complete. The building is rail served.
Metallurgical Laboratory
19. The metallurgical laboratory (item 7) is an H-shaped building. The northwest
section was completed in I and the southeast section was completed in
administrative personnel and cold cells for metal exploratory work. The southeast section
which is one story high has a T-shaped roof monitor; this section probably contains hot cells
for the study of irradiated fuel elements. The roof monitor indicates that a probable
negative pressure is maintained in the building for the hot cells. A rail spur enters the
laboratory building. In Q construction of a building was noted at the southeast
corner of the mratory. The excavation for this buildin i proximately Q
A passageway I will apparently
bunneur rue ing under construction with the laboratory.
Suspect Critical Assembly Facility
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25X1 20. In ]two buildings (items 28 and 29) were noted to be under construction
at the original site of the abandoned molten salt reactor facility.3 The length and width of
the foundations of the old structures were increased to accommodate the size of the newer
buildings. The larger building (item 28), which is now complete, has a T-shaped high-bay
structure with eight ventilators in the center of the roof. The roof of the smaller building
(item 29) is curved and contains five small ventilators. Neither of the two buildings is
apparently connected to the cooling towers or to the fan/filter building (item 10). The
extensive use of roof ventilators and an enclosed high-bay suggests that the larger building
could house a critical assembly facility, such as a zero power reactor, to be used for research
purposes. The smaller building could support the operation.
Possible Fluoride Volatility Pilot Plant
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21. A modified T-shaped building (item 48) completed in ~s identified as a 25X1
possible fluoride volatility ' t plant. Excavation work for the building was first seen on
photography of A walled and fenced area approximately 25X1
I I was seen on later photography. The interior construction o the sou wes
portion of e building appeared to contain the thick walls necessary for the use of
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radioactive material and the absence of central columns suggests that an overhead crane
may have been installed. The rail line at the north side of the building and a large door at
the southwest end suggest that an additional rail spur may be added to service the building.
An underground pipeling connects the building to the fan/filter building (item 10), and a
second pipeling, that apparently will connect with the radioactive waste evaporation plant
(item 31), was under construction.
22. Soviet news sources reported in I that the largest hot material
research laboratory in Europe had been constructed at Melekess for use in studying changes
in the physical properties of various metals. The metals are used in fuel rods which, under
the effect of radiation, could be studied in specially equipped cells. 10 Cells containing
heated columns, are used to separate uranium from irradiated fuel by the use of fluorine.
This method is known as the fluoride volatility process.I I
Support Structures
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23. No significant changes have occurred to support structures (items 1-4 and 55 at
the east entrance to the reactor test area since The cafeteria building 25X1
(item 55) was completed by Since seven warehouses have been 25X1
constructed in a storage area located at the nort corner of the reactor area. Some of the
buildings remained under construction as o 25X1
24. The side panels of the three water cooling towers (items 22, 23, and 24) have been
dismantled periodically, probably for removal of algae. The smallest of the three cooling
towers (item 22) continues to remain in a dismantled condition as ofi erhaps 25X1
signifying the discontinuance of operations at the ARBUS powerplant.
25. Two underground personnel shelters (items 60 and 61) have been identified; one
shelter (item 60) is northeast of the MIR reactor, and the other (item 61) is northeast of the
radiochemical laboratory. Both have been earth covered, and only vent pipes were
discernible.
26. Coincidental with the construction of the BOR-60 reactor building, an electric
power substation (Substation A, Figure 3) has undergone several changes. A
control/switching building (item 54), with four roof vents and a tall lightning rod, has been
constructed at the southwest corner of the substation. Imagery of onfirms that 25X1
three transformers remain in place and that a fourth transformer bay is still empty.
However, new large circular excavations north of the transformers are probably for the
installation of larger-sized circuit breakers. A narrow trench was under construction
southwest of the new control building, in the general direction of the BOR-60 reactor
building.
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Main Support Area
34. The main support area of the Mel.ekess Reactor Development Site (Figures 4 and
i, Table 2) is located midway between the reactor test area and the town of Melekess
(Figure 1). The area, first seen on photography of contains a possible fuel
element fabrication facility, a motor pool section, a thermal powerplant, a water softener
facility, and associated support buildings. The area is served by road and rail from the
reactor test area.
Possible Fuel Element Fabrication Facility
35. A defector scientist reported that while working at Melekess he was associates:
with the production of uranium dioxide, which he believed was used as reactor fuel. 14 Ar
area possibly containing a fuel element fabrication facility was first seen on photography oT
25X1 At that time, this walled facility consisted of a fabrication building (item
6, Figure 5 an 'fable 2), a shipping and receiving building (item 11), and a support
building (item. 13).i The fabrication building was approximately 76 meters (250 feet) long
25X1 the fabrication building had been lengthened to approximately 177 meter:
(590 feet), a warehouse (item 12) and a support building (item 16) had been added, and
workshop (item 8) was in an early stage of construction. Photography of
indicated that. the fabrication building had again been lengthened to a total ofi
25X1 (1 This building appears capable of accommodating overhead cranes an(
equipment for rolling and milling metal. The building has roof vents and stacks and woul(
contain induction furnaces. It is large enough for acoustic and dynamic testing of fuel rods.
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Thermal Powerplant
36. The thermal powerplant (item 21) was enl
d d
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25X1 to IJ and now apparently contains four boiler
Oil
s.
storage capacity was increased
and the water treatment buildings (items 19 and 20) were enlarged. On photography of
25X1 light-toned discolorations were discernible on the roofs of buildings 19 and 20.
Tank filters, degasifiers, and silos located above the southern side of building 19 tend to
verify the use of this building for water-softening processes. Sludge is removed by pipeline
to a basin (item 26), which was first seen on coverage ofIAn ancillary steamplant
is located at the southeast edge of Melekess (Figure 1).
Other Support Facilities
37. Water is piped to the reactor site and to Melekess from a large water-well system
located west of Melekess (Figure 1). The area contains approximately 24 pumphouses and a
probable water treatment building.l Northwest of Melekess, a housing area is under
development; it consists of apartment buildings, high-rise apartment buildings, schools,
and a sports field. The housing area probably accommodates personnel from Melekess and
from the reactor site. A meteorological tower is newly identified east of the reactor test area
and south of the railroad from Melekess (Figure 3).
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DOCUMENTS
1. NPIC. scientific Research Institute of Atomic Energy Reactors, Melekess, USSR,
filar 65 (TOPS ET
2. NPIC. NPIC/R-6/62, Nuclear Reactor Test Site, Melekess, USSR, Jan 62 (TOP SECRET
3. NPI IC. NPIC/R-269,63 Scientific Research Institute of Atomic Energy Reactors, Melekess, USSR,
Nov 63 (TOP SECRET
4. US Department of Commerce. JPRS: 49,510, French Journalists Visit Soviet Scholars (translation of
an article in It Monde, French newspaper), 24 Dec 69 (UNCLASSIFIED)
5. NPIC. NPIC:/ R-76/64, Changes Since 1962 at the Reactor Test Area, Melekess, USSR, Feb 64 (TOP
SECRETI
. Soriet Weekly. "Experimental Power Station Generates Enough Power for a Town," Apr 66 (UN-
6CLASSIFIED)
8. Energir Nuclraire. "L(- Reacteur experimental rapidc BOR." Vol 12, No 1, Jan-Feb 1970 (UN-
CLASSIFI1:1))
9. FBIS. Daily Report: Soviet Union, Vol III, No 254. p D7, 31 Dec 68 (UNCLASSIFIED)
10. Invest iya, Moscow, "Melekess Reactor,? 29 Dec 67 (UNCLASSIFIED)
11. Ilogerton, John F., The Atomic Energy DrAbook, New York, Reinhold Publishing Corporation, 1963
(UNCLASSIFIED)
12. US Department of Commerce. JPRS: 48,229, "I candling of Radioactive Wastes at Soviet Atomic
Power Stations, USSR" (translation of article in Atomnaya Energtya) May 69 (UNCLASSIFIED)
13. Atomic Energy Review, Vol 5, No 4, 1967 (UNCLASSIFIED)
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