Using modern methods of reactor physics we have performed full-scale calculations of the natural reactor Oklo. For reliability we have used recent version of two Monte Carlo codes: Russian code MCU REA and world wide known code MCNP (USA). Both codes produce similar results. We have constructed a computer model of the reactor Oklo zone RZ2 which takes into account all details of design and composition. The calculations were performed for three fresh cores with different uranium contents. Multiplication factors, reactivities and neutron fluxes were calculated. We have estimated also the temperature and void effects for the fresh core. As would be expected, we have found for the fresh core a significant difference between reactor and Maxwell spectra, which was used before for averaging cross sections in the Oklo reactor. The averaged cross section of 149 62 Sm and its dependence on the shift of resonance position (due to variation of fundamental constants) are significantly different from previous results.Contrary to results of some previous papers we find no evidence for the change of the fine structure constant in the past and obtain new, most accurate limits on its variation with time: −4 · 10 −17 year −1 ≤α/α ≤ 3 · 10 −17 year −1 . A further improvement in the accuracy of the limits can be achieved by taking account of the core burnup. These calculations are in progress.

A full-scale computer model of zone 2 of the Oklo reactor with a realistic materials composition is constructed. Modern Monte Carlo programs are used to calculate the multiplication factor, the excess reactivity, and the neutron flux for the fresh reactor zone 2. The calculations are performed in a wide range of variation of the zone parameters: the uranium content in the contemporary Oklo zone is varied from 35 to 55 mass% and the water content from 0.355 to 455 g/cm 3 . The power effect is determined. The temperature of the fresh zone is found to be 725 ± 55 K, at which the reactor is critical and can operate in a stable manner for a long time. The power of the reactor is maintained by negative feedback. The neutron spectrum, over which the cross section of strong absorbers must be averaged, for example, 149 62 Sm, in order to obtain the most accurate bounds on the possible shift of the samarium resonance as a result of a change in the fundamental constants, is found for 700 K.

This paper presents the design of an additive setup for the selective laser sintering (SLS) of high-temperature polymeric materials, which is distinguished by an original control system for aligning the device for depositing layers of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) powder. The kinematic and laser-optical schemes are given. The main cooling circuits are described. The proposed technical and design solutions enable conducting the SLS process in different types of high-temperature polymer powders. The principles of the device adjustment for depositing powder layers based on an integral thermal analysis are disclosed. The PEEK sinterability was shown on the designed installation. The physic-mechanical properties of the tested 3D parts were evaluated in comparison with the known data and showed an acceptable quality.