Bilibino:	|	Operating History	|	Technical Activities	|	Accomplishments

Technical/Upgrading Activities

• improvement of seismic resistance of structures and of safety-related equipment and
• construction of standby control panels (rooms).

In addition, plant staff addressed the problem of a positive void coefficient (common also in RBMK reactors) by reducing the control rod cooling water channels per drive.

On October 6-10, 1996, a joint team composed of representatives from the DOE International Nuclear Safety Program, the State of Alaska, and the U.S. Arctic Research Commission traveled to Bilibino to meet with plant officials about communications, nuclear safety, and emergency preparedness, and to conclude an agreement on the plant's participation in the DOE International Nuclear Safety Program. A protocol signed at the conclusion of the visit included the following agreements:

• Rosenergoatom will identify a point of contact for the State of Alaska to make inquiries about the plant's status. The plant agreed to provide a list of its in-plant communication needs, with DOE officials considering the possibility of providing communications equipment.
• INSP agreed to support the plant in participating in the RBMK Maintenance Committee to share experience in maintenance technology and engage in technology transfer.
• INSP also agreed to supply an analytical simulator to improve operator training. The State of Alaska agreed to seek funding for specialists from the Bilibino plant to receive equipment and training in radiological and chemical analysis.
• The Bilibino plant agreed to provide a prioritized list of needed safety, training, and maintenance improvements.

Training and payment of workers' wages were found to be the most pressing safety needs of the Bilibino plant. Next highest priority was improvement of general maintenance of power plant equipment; third priorities were improvements in general safety equipment.

Bilibino:	|	Operating History	|	Technical Activities	|	Accomplishments