November 1999 Highlight

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Kazakhstan Lithuania Russia Slovakia

Ukraine United States Cross-Cutting Activities Planned Activities

Russia

Balakovo simulator upgrade completed

On November 19, specialists from LAKROM, a Russian firm, turned over a newly upgraded full-scope simulator to the Balakovo Training Center. Representatives of Balakovo NPP and Gosatomnadzor (Russia's nuclear regulatory agency) also were at the training center for the event.

At the same time, LAKROM workers also transferred the upgraded models to the new analytical simulator provided to Balakovo in May 1999 with U.S. support. As a result, both simulators will provide trainees with identical models of the reactor systems, enhancing the validity and reliability of their training.

The effort began in November 1996, when the U.S. team started work to upgrade the full-scope simulator used to train reactor operating staff for Balakovo Unit 4. U.S. specialists from GSE Power Systems, Inc., subcontracted with LAKROM to accomplish the upgrade work. The effort involved updating the simulator's computer model of reactor configurations, providing new computer workstations for the instructor and trainees, and obtaining regulatory approval for the modifications.

In December, control room operators and supervisors will begin using the upgraded simulator for actual training. The final turnover ceremony is planned for January 2000, after initial operations are completed successfully. Members of the U.S. team will participate in that ceremony at the plant. (John Yoder, DOE, 301-903-5650; Joe Cleary, PNNL, 509-372-4079)

Simulator for Bilibino nearing completion

The analytical simulator being developed for Bilibino NPP underwent factory acceptance testing in November. A U.S. team member from Brookhaven National Laboratory reviewed the test results in Moscow with technical specialists from LAKROM, the Russian subcontractor for the simulator development. The review showed the simulator meets technical requirements specified for its development. Simulator developers GSE Power Systems, Inc., and LAKROM expect the simulator to be ready in early December for shipment to the Bilibino plant site in northeastern Russia. (John Yoder, DOE, 301-903-5650; Joe Cleary, PNNL, 509-372-4094)