The Global Energy Prize laureate in the Conventional
Energy nomination: for the fundamental research on development of innovative energy technologies based on the fast-neutron reactors with a heavy alloy coolant and a closed fuel cycle
Doctor of Physics and Mathematics, Chief Specialist of the Centre for Innovative Technologies (Rosatom).
One of the pioneers in thermonuclear physics: Viktor Orlov identified and evaluated possible solutions to the main engineering problems of thermonuclear reactors and described the key principles of designing the tokamak, the first thermonuclear reactor, from both physical and technical points of view. Viktor Orlov also proposed to provide an increase in global energy through the innovative nuclear technology based on an environmentally friendly fast-neutron reactor with a closed fuel cycle and a heavy metal coolant. Feasibility of this concept was confirmed by a pilot fast neutron reactor with a lead coolant, designed under Orlov’s supervision.
Viktor Orlov has made a valuable contribution to the theory of resonance absorption and neutron diffusion in active media with resonance cross sections. His main achievements include the synthesis of the Gurevich-Pomeranchuk and Wigner theories, the interaction effect of lumped uranium in narrow long beams, and the analysis of the thermal Doppler effect. His discoveries served as an important basis for designing the first reactors for nuclear power plants and submarines. In collaboration with Guriy Marchuk, Viktor Orlov managed to apply a perturbation theory to linear and nonlinear neutron flux functionals, which helped improve nuclear reactor physics and even create the first optimisation programmes.