The application to extend its life was submitted by the Institute of Reactor Materials, (JSC IRM), which is part of Russia's Rosatom's scientific division.
According to Rosatom, the IVV-2M research reactor is "designed to solve a wide range of scientific and experimental problems" including materials science research for fuel and innovative materials as well as producing isotopes for use in nuclear medicine and in industry.
The first modernisation of the reactor was carried out in the late 1970s with its capacity increased from 10 MW to 15 MW. After its equipment was upgraded in 2007 the service life was extended to April 2025. Work has been taking place since 2010 on the programme to allow the further life extension.
Ivan Russkikh, chief engineer of IRM, said: "The IVV-2M reactor was commissioned on 23 April 1966, at the height of the deployment of the Soviet nuclear programme, when there was still no clear idea of the real service life of such facilities. A service life of 30 years was set for it, which is why it was necessary to go through the extension procedure."
He added that the recent work included strengthened safety measures - "we replaced the control and protection systems, installed modern 'smart' electronics, updated the radiation monitoring systems, reactor cooling, and coolant purification. Even the spent fuel assemblies storage shaft was modernised".
