Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant - Project Implementation. Phase 2

Radiation background in the Administrative building area is in average 65 microrentgens per hour, in the Shelter object's Observation pavilion area - 1,08 myllyrentgens per hour.
Controllable parameters of the Shelter object are within the limits established by Operational Regulations. According to monitoring systems data the maximal value of gamma - radiation rate inside the object has made 3403 Rontgens per hour, temperature near to Fuel Containing Materials is +29 degrees on Celsius. Exceeding of control levels of Shelter object condition parameters is not fixed.

	Home
	News
	Photos
	Download
	Links
	Contacts

Project Implementation. Phase 2

Phase 2 - 2001-2007. Within the framework of phase 2 realization strategy 22 SIP tasks have been combined in the following implementing projects:

• Preparatory works for infrastructure development necessary for Project Tasks implementation.

- Works on creation of the information-analytical center of the Shelter object intended for integrated database technical support are completed.
- Construction of the personal Training Center in Slavutich and at ChNPP site is completed.
- Rehabilitation Center construction in Slavutich for the personnel involved in works performance on Shelter object transformation is completed.
- works on clothes change facility construction for 1430 persons come to the end.
- works under the contract on external engineering networks and accompanying facilities construction for Phase 2 realization are underway.
- civil works at "small" construction site come to the end. The first its part is commissioned, the second part will be commissioned by the end of the current year. At "small" construction base there are facilities, supporting stabilization: access roads, warehousing sites, administrative building, etc.
- civil work on construction of sewer distributive pump station and sanitary lock at the level +5,8 of SO deaerator stack are completed.

• Designing and civil work on stabilization measures.

The main objective of stabilization project is implementation of measures on destroyed ChNPP Unit 4 and existing Shelter object transformation into ecologically safe system. Performance of Constructions stabilization implementation for the period up to 15 years is necessary for the subsequent stages of transformation realization, namely: New Confinement erection, dismantling of some most unstable "sarcophagus" constructions, Fuel Containing Materials removal.

Preparatory works for stabilization measures implementation is begun from the moment of international SIP project start. Firstly it has been performed great scope of works on long-term constructions supervision results studying, necessary investigations were executed, deliverables were developed. On its basis in 2000 Program Decisions, determining necessary and sufficient scope of stabilization works have been accepted and served as the indication to design and constructions stage transition.
In parallel works on infrastructure facilities construction vitally important for stabilization have been deployed. There are construction site, new clothes change facility for 1430 persons, contracting personnel Training Center, Rehabilitation Center, roads, engineering networks, reconstruction of ChNPP Unit 4 premises, power and water supply and others.

Consortium KSK (State Scientific Research Institute of Building Constructions (NIISK), "Energoproject" institute (KIEP) and Interbranch Scientific and Technical Center "Shelter" (ISTC) NAS of Ukraine), in October, 2003 has finished the stabilization working design on the measures determined as urgent.
Summary Comprehensive Conclusion of Ukrinvestexpertise for this project was received at the end of December 2003 in which two measures – local stabilization of the ventilation shafts supporting B1 beam and "easy" roof stabilization over the Central Hall are recommended to a cancellation. These recommendations were issued after careful repeated analysis of “dozes/expenses/benefit carrying out which has shown a high level of doses and, accordingly, labour expenses for these actions performance. 7 zones of the Shelter object are subject to urgent reinforcement among which the western fragment stabilization, influencing other civil works performance, their sequence and terms of construction are most laborious and dose expensive.
The uneasy task of planned stabilization measures performance will be complicated also by high radiation levels, in some zones of works performance they will achieve 6 Rontgens per hour. ALARA principle compliance — "as low as reasonably achievable" — with the purpose of personnel exposure minimization demands careful planning of all operations, maximum possible performance of works in conditionally "clean" zone, shielding of workplaces, the personnel training.

Performance of physical works on Shelter object constructions stabilization begins on November 30, 2004.

Contractors, representatives of the Ukrainian-Russian consortium "Stabilization" which won the tender on these works performance and to which the contract was awarded on July, 9 this year, started the arrangements and monolithic plate concreting with thickness 0,6 m on November, 30. Foundations for metal supports of the Western zone of "sarcophagus" will be installed on this plate.
These works are the beginning of the Shelter object western fragment strengthening, so-called buttress wall.

This is one of the most complex stabilization measures. Actually this construction causes concerns of experts as the inclination in approximately 50 cm of the destroyed fourth Unit wall aside metal shields become perceptible here, there are numerous cracks and displacement with opening from 50 mm up to 20 cm.

Designs of works performance was developed, regulatory bodies sanctions were obtained prior to the physical works beginning. The personnel starting Shelter stabilization works, has passed medical examination, biophysical control, training on labour protection, fire and radiation safety issues.

Ukrainian - Russian consortium "Stabilization" consisting of JSC "Atomstroyexport" (Russia) and three Ukrainian companies "Yuzhteplomontage" (YTEM), "Atomenergostoyproject" (AESP), JSC «RNPP Construction Management» is chosen as Contractor for stabilization measure performance as a result of the tenders. The contract was awarded in the beginning of July, 2004.
Taking into account complexity and the limited predictability of events during stabilization works performance, the contract stipulates a possibility for the Contractor to deviate from suggested by the project solutions if new circumstances and conditions will be revealed, and to offer more economic and effective solutions on the performance and organization of works.
Actually Contractor carries out preparatory works. Implementation of main scope of stabilization works will start at the beginning of 2005, and completion is planed in 2006.

• Radiation protection, safety and monitoring systems.

Within the framework of this complex of tasks "Temporary plan of SO emergency preparedness" and Radiation Protection Program were developed. Works on Physical Protection and the Access Control improvement are conducted according to the Contract Schedule.

Works on the Shelter object’s dust suppression system upgrading were carried out that allowed to increase considerably the area of dust suppressive composition coating and to reduce a radioactive dust arising.

Among a complex of the problems connected to Shelter object one of urgent is object condition monitoring, including nuclear materials conditions. The most part of the monitoring equipment was installed in the first years after the accident and today demands considerable upgrading or replacement. There is no operative information on the main external source of hazard - seismic impact.
For solution of the listed problems in November, 2003 the contract between SSE «Chernobyl NPP» and consortium of companies ANSALDO Energia SpA (Italy), ENEL HYDRO SpA (Italy), LABEN SpA (Italy), "Atomremontservice" NEGC (Ukraine) on Shelter object automated integrated monitoring system (AIMS) creation "on a turn-key basis" was awarded. AIMS structure will consist of four systems: Nuclear Safety monitoring, stationary Radiation Monitoring System, Building Construction Monitoring and Seismic Monitoring Systems.
Works on AIMS creation will come to the end by the end of 2005. AIMS commissioning will promote object maintaining in a safe condition during New Safe Confinement construction and during subsequent years up to Fuel Containing Materials removal.

In the beginning of May, 2004 the Contract on the Shelter object integrated database creation (IDBS) was signed with a consortium, consisting of OC "Information business systems " (IBS) (Russia) and Chernobyl Center on Nuclear Safety, Radioactive Wastes and Radioecology Problems, (Ukraine).
IDBS is the big information resource where different types of the data will be concentrated and analytically studied. IDBS Data will be simultaneously accessible to many users, including external.
IDBS will have five functional subsystems, allowing to manage electronic archive, to interact with the automated integrated monitoring system, to support planning and safe performance of works. IDBS commissioning is planned at the end of 2005.

• Safe Confinement designing and construction.

Since 1992 intensive work, including under the international programs, on Shelter object transformation into ecologically safe system is conducted. The basic conclusion of these long-term researches are: significant Shelter object hazard decrease can be achieved as a result of new protective encasement construction over the object – New Safe Confinement (NSC).
Necessity of NSC creation is reflected in the following documents:
- The law of Ukraine "On genera principles of the further Chernobyl operation and decommissioning and destroyed fourth power Unit of this NPP transformation into ecologically safe system "
- Strategy of the Shelter object transformation, approved by Decision ¹5 of the Governmental Commission on the complex solution of Chernobyl NPP problems, dated May 18, 1997
- Shelter Implementation Plan , accepted at G7 countries meeting in June, 1997.

The basic requirements to Confinement are formulated in the Law of Ukraine "On genera principles of the further Chernobyl operation and decommissioning and destroyed fourth power Unit of this NPP transformation into ecologically safe system":
"Confinement is a protective construction which includes a complex of the technological equipment for removal from the destroyed fourth power unit of Chernobyl NPP materials containing nuclear fuel, Radioactive Wastes management and other systems intended for realization of activity on transformation of this power unit in ecologically safe system and safety of personnel, population and environment".

New Safe Confinement is a multifunctional complex for Shelter object transformation into ecologically safe system.
According to the conceptual design, NSF involves:
- the main construction, including an arch structure, a foundations, the western and eastern front walls, necessary ensuring and auxiliary systems
- the technological building, including decontamination, fragmentation and packings sites, sanitary locks, shops and other technological premises.
- auxiliary facilities.

It is stipulated to create NSC Integrated Monitoring System for NSC Nuclear, Radiation and Industrial Safety assurance and its effective work with a minimum quantity of operation personnel involvement. Following systems will be included in its structure:
- Radiation Safety Monitoring System;
- Seismic Monitoring system;
- Monitoring System of the Building Constructions;
- operation support systems: ventilation system; of water supply system; sewerage system (including, liquid radioactive waste management); electrosupply system;
- technological systems of radioactive wastes and Fuel Containing Materials Management.
Also Fire Safety and Physical Protection Systems will be created, communication and TV networks will be mounted. The crane equipment will be mounted for unstable constructions dismantling.

By NSC construction it is achieved:
• Radiation Safety level improvement. Integrity of NSC encasement limits radiation influence on the population, the personnel and an environment for the operation period - 100 years and more;
• The collapse probability reduction due to unstable constructions dismantling under NSC;
• Collapse consequences mitigation due to fencing and supporting constructions and monitoring systems inside NSC;
• SO Nuclear Safety increases due to exclusion of atmospheric moisture penetration on FCM congestions, that considerably reduces risk of self- sustaining chain reaction occurrence;
• Strategy of SO transformation into ecologically safe system is provided due to NSC constructions durability, a possibility of existing unstable Shelter’s constructions dismantling and Fuel Containing Materials removal.

NSC Conceptual Design was developed by Consortium of companies Bechtel, Battelle (USA), EDF (France) and Ukrainian consortium KSK (Scientific Research Institute of Building Constructions (NIISK), Kiev institute "Energoproject" (KIEP), Interbranch Scientific and Technical Center (ISTC) "Shelter" on the order of Chernobyl NPP. Conceptual Design has been considered at Public Hearings, held in March, 2004 in Slavutich, and has been discussed in Scientific Groups of Ukraine. According to results of these considerations Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine by the order N443-p dated July 5, 2004 has ratified this project as a basis for the further designing.

Conceptual Design substantiates possibilities of proposed technical solutions realization, estimates NSC ecological efficiency in comparison with an existing level of Shelter object influence on an environment, estimates terms of construction and the financial expenses necessary for NSC construction.

On March 11, 2004 the international tender on NSC designing and construction was announced. On November 16, 2004 technical proposals from potential contractors were opened, that was a first stage of the tender. After an evaluation two participants were qualified and proposals to participate in the second stage – commercial proposals submission – were sent to them.
Opening of commercial proposals on New Safe Confinement designing, construction and commissioning has taken place on September 28, 2005. The evaluation of the commercial proposals will be carried out up to the end of 2005.

The next year in parallel the tender on dismantling works designing will beguine with the purpose to prepare for SO unstable constructions dismantling before NSC construction termination- and tat will be the end of 2007.

• Fuel Containing Materials (FCM) and Wastes Management Strategy development.

Design - analytical FCM behaviour model development on prospect up to 100 years is actually underway. This work is carried out by RSC "Kurchatov Institute" and Institute of Nuclear Power Plants Safety Problems NAS of Ukraine (former ISTC "Shelter").
Awarding of the contract on FCM Monitoring System creation is expected at the end of 2005. Tendering on «FCM removal Strategy» is also planned.