August 2, 1996
Prepared by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington

RUSSIA

Kursk Direct Current Power. The safety grade batteries for the Kursk nuclear power plant (NPP) are being packaged for shipment and are scheduled to arrive at the plant by the end of August. Delivery of the safety class batteries by the end of August is critical in order to support the plant's shutdown activities. Currently, there are no issues that would jeopardize the delivery schedule. These batteries are part of the safety system upgrade at the Kursk plant. They will provide a more reliable direct current power supply to ensure that back-up instrumentation and control power is available for a plant shutdown during any off-normal condition. The less critical battery switchboards will be shipped by the end of August and should arrive at the plant by the end of September. (Rich Denning, PNNL, 614-424-7412)

Kursk Emergency Water System. The emergency water supply system is a highly versatile source of water for a variety of emergency situations, including loss of water supply to the steam drum separators or as a water source for fire suppression. Last week, representatives from Burns & Roe witnessed the successful factory test of the mobile pumping unit for Kursk NPP that is part of the emergency water supply system. The pump has been shipped to Kursk NPP. It is expected to arrive at the plant by the end of August. Burns & Roe representatives plan to visit the plant in early September to determine the status of facility modifications. (Rich Denning, PNNL, 614-424-7412)

Kola Post-Accident Radiation Monitors. the cesium source used to calibrate instruments for the Kola post-accident radiation monitors cleared Russian Customs and was received at the plant on July 26, 1996. This radiation monitoring system will continuously monitor airborne radioactivity levels within the reactor building. (Rich Denning, PNNL, 614-424-7412)

Kursk NPP Training. A team representing Balakovo NPP, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Minatom, Novovoronezh Training Center, Rosenergoatom, and VNIIAES conducted a second assessment of training needs at Kursk NPP, July 22-26. Presentations on transferring training technology were made to key plant and training management personnel. Current training practices, resources, and facilities at the Kursk plant were reviewed. The next step will be for Kursk NPP management to identify representatives to participate in the systematic approach to training workshops and the pilot training program to be transferred to the plant by August 15, 1996. (Sonja Haber, BNL, 516-344-3575)

Novovoronezh Analytical Simulator. Negotiations with S3 Technologies for an analytical simulator for Novovoronezh NPP were successfully concluded July 29, 1996. It is anticipated the contract will be finalized not later than August 7, 1996.

Simulators are used for training nuclear power plant operators and for validating emergency operating instructions (EOIs). Analytical simulators use computers to simulate plant systems; operators enter computer commands to "operate" equipment rather than using switches and controls as they would in the actual control room or with a full-scope simulator. (LaDonna F. James, PNNL, 509-375-4372)

Pipe Lathes . A pipe lathe in support of the maintenance technology transfer and training project has been delivered to Kursk NPP as scheduled. Additional pipe lathes, one for Smolensk NPP and one for Chornobyl NPP, will be delivered to the plants by August 30, 1996.

The pipe lathe cuts with the precision necessary for welding repairs of main coolant piping. Pipe lathes were among the technologies approved for acquisition by the RBMK Maintenance Advisory Board when it met in February 1996 at Charlotte, North Carolina. (LaDonna F. James, PNNL, 509-375-4372)

UKRAINE

RELAP5 Training for Ukrainian Analysts. Safety evaluations of nuclear plants require detailed computer modeling of thermal-hydraulic phenomena. Ukraine and the United States are collaborating to train plant staff in using the RELAP5 thermal-hydraulics code, which is used for safety analysis in the United States. Nine reactor safety analysts from Ukraine completed a 6-week RELAP5 computer code workshop at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) on July 26. The objective was to provide the Ukrainian analysts with hands-on experience in performing thermal hydraulic analysis of reactor systems using the RELAP5 code. Specifically, the preparation of validated input decks (input files) is emphasized.

The main accomplishment of the workshop was the development of a RELAP5 input deck for a VVER-1000 reactor system. This input deck links all the nuclear steam supply system including the reactor vessel, four primary loops with pumps and steam generators, secondary steam lines, and steam generator feedwater systems. Because plant-specific data were not available, most of the geometry was based on generic VVER-1000 information. However, the steady-state thermal-hydraulic parameters correspond to real VVER-1000 parameters (South Ukraine Unit 1). Steady-state test runs were performed. The input deck will be used as a model for the development of plant-specific decks for the lead plant safety analysis projects in Ukraine. (Christian A. Kot, ANL, 708 252 6151)

Chornobyl Shelter Project. An International Nuclear Safety Program ( INSP) team working on the Chornobyl Shelter Project attended Workshop III of the European Community Chornobyl Shelter Project in Brussels on July 29-30. Team members are investigating the placement of task orders with technical experts from a number of U.S. firms that have existing basic ordering agreements with INSP to support this project. The next meeting of the Chornobyl Shelter Project is in Ukraine the week of August 26-30. This meeting will be attended by U.S. project management and technical expert participants. (Dennis Kreid, PNNL, 509-375-2170)

Chornobyl NPP. Final negotiations have been concluded on the analytical simulator for the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Specifications are being developed and the contract for the simulator will be issued to S3 Technologies shortly. (Douglas A. Dahl, PNNL, 509-375-6855)

CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

Nuclear Plant Analyzer Project (Bulgaria). Staff from the Bulgarian Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy are at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) to work on the nuclear plant analyzer. To test the nuclear plant analyzer deck (input file) that has been developed for Kozloduy Unit 6, the NPP staff requested that several off-normal events related to the EOI development be analyzed. An off-normal event involving the rupture of two tubes in a single steam generator has been analyzed to determine how it would effect plant operations. The analysis was sent to the NPP for their review and use in developing EOIs for their VVER 1000 reactor. The next analysis performed will be on an off-normal event involving a pressure relief valve that remains open in the pressurizer. (Greg Slovik, BNL, 516-344-7983)

Kozloduy NPP (Bulgaria). A contract has been put in place at Kozloduy NPP to assemble the mobile diesel generator that was sent to them last year. (Greg Slovik, BNL, 516-344-7983)

Nuclear Plant Analyzer Project (Lithuania). Two specialists from the Lithuanian Energy Institute arrived at BNL on July 14 with geometrical and operational information on the RMBK 1500 reactors at Ignalina. The data will be reviewed to extract the information needed to perform cell calculations for the different fuel types in the reactor core. The goal is to develop the reactivity feedback models needed to enhance the nuclear plant analyzer used by the Lithuanian Energy Institute for their thermal-hydraulic calculations. The specialists will remain until the end of August. (Greg Slovik, BNL, 516-344-7983)

Trnava Training Needs Assessment (Slovakia). On July 22-26 representatives from BNL, General Physics Corporation, and Sonalysts, Inc. conducted a training needs assessment for the Trnava Training Center and Bohunice NPP. As a result of the needs assessment and meetings with station and training center personnel, the team identified training activities for cooperative work with Trnava. Initial activities will include workshops on the systematic approach to training and instructor training. Trnava will identify the two courses for initial modification and development by December 15, 1996. (Sonja Haber, BNL, 516-344-3575)

PLANNED ACTIVITIES

"*" indicates the event is a new item or has been changed from the last report.

August 5-16 -- Sonalysts, Inc., Waterford, Connecticut.
Representatives from Balakovo NPP will visit Sonalysts for a 2-week training session. They will focus on development of materials for simulator instructor training (pilot course scheduled for September 1996 implementation) and training for water chemistry technicians. Balakovo staff will also visit a U.S. NPP and an NPP training center. (Sonja Haber, BNL, 516-344-3575)

*August 5-9 -- Boston, Massachusetts.
Stone & Webster will host three managers from the Ignalina NPP in charge of the configuration management project. They will tour the U.S. nuclear plants at Comanche Peak, Texas and North Anna, Virginia to observe demonstrations on the use of configuration management data bases. The team will conclude with meetings in Boston to make plans to complete the project and implement configuration management at Ignalina NPP. (Dan Couch, PNNL, 509-372-4591)

August 10-24 -- Chornobyl NPP, Ukraine.
INSP technical staff will participate in a Chornobyl NPP EOI workshop. The purpose of the workshop is to develop site-specific guidelines for two emergency procedures, a training program plan, and an EOI writer's guide. (Dennis Meyers, DOE, 202-586-7834)

August 12-23 -- Russia and Ukraine.
Arrangements are being made for INSP specialists to observe nondestructive examination (NDE) activities at NPPs in both Russia and Ukraine in support of the new NDE projects. Tentative plans are to visit the South Ukraine NPP in Ukraine, and Kalinin and Smolensk NPPs in Russia. The focus of this trip will be to observe actual examinations and inspections to better understand the plants' current capabilities and determine how to augment them most effectively. (Robert Moffitt, PNNL, 509-372-4108)

August 18-20 -- Smolensk NPP, Russia.
Representatives from INSP, Parsons Power, RDIPE, Smolensk NPP, and Westinghouse will meet to agree on team responsibilities and to develop a schedule for providing safety parameter display systems for Smolensk Units 1, 2 and 3. (Rich Denning, PNNL, 614-424-7412)

August 18-23 -- Moscow, Russia.
Representatives from the U.S. International Nuclear Safety Center at Argonne National Laboratory will meet with staff from the Russian Academy of Sciences (IBRAE). The purpose of the meeting is to review progress on the Russian International Nuclear Safety Center database and ensure its compatibility with the existing database at Argonne. (Walt Pasedag, DOE, 301-903-3628)

*August 18-25 -- Boston, Massachusetts.
Four representatives from Gosatomnadzor will attend a class on nuclear emergency planning at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts. (George Sherwood, DOE, 301-903-4162 or George Vargo, PNNL, 509-375-6836)

August 19-23 -- Khmelnytskyy NPP, Ukraine.
General Physics Corporation will conduct a 1-week training session at Khmelnytskyy NPP. The objective is to continue development of training programs for the control room reactor operator, refueling floor operator, and chemical operator. General Physics staff also will provide instruction on the systematic approach to training to Khmelnytskyy NPP representatives. (Sonja Haber, BNL, 516-344-3575)

August 21-23 -- Moscow, Russia.
Representatives from INSP, Kursk NPP, Parsons Power, RDIPE, and Westinghouse will meet to agree on team responsibilities and to develop a schedule for providing safety parameter display systems for Kursk Units 3 and 4. (Rich Denning, PNNL, 614-424-7412)

August 22-23 -- Stockholm, Sweden.
A Leningrad NPP probabilistic risk assessment meeting is scheduled. Participants include representatives from AEA Technologies, ENTEK, ES-Konsult, and INSP. (Sam McKay, PNNL, 509-372-4059)

August 26-30 -- Kursk NPP, Russia.
U.S. specialists will visit Kursk NPP in Russia to train plant staff in the use of ultrasonic testing equipment and a re-engineered high-temperature suit, which have recently been delivered to the site. (Jim Guppy, BNL, 516-344-2698)

August 26-30 -- Kola NPP, Russia.
There will be a VVER-440/213 EOI working group meeting at Kola NPP. Representatives from all VVER-440/213 NPPs are scheduled to attend. (Kent Faris, PNNL, 509-372-4068)

August 26-30 -- Ignalina NPP, Lithuania.
There will be an RBMK EOI working group meeting at Ignalina NPP. Representatives from all RBMK NPPs are scheduled to attend. (Kent Faris, PNNL, 509-372-4068)

*August 27-28 -- Washington, DC.
Ukrainians will attend a workshop on legislative framework for the nuclear liability issues. (George Sherwood, DOE, 301-903-4162 or George Vargo, PNNL, 509-375-6836)

August TBD -- Moscow, Russia.
The VVER-1000 working group will hold a special meeting at VNIIAES. Members of the working group from the Kozloduy, Balakovo, and Zaporizhzhya NPPs will meet with VNIIAES and Gidropress to review and discuss results of analysis calculations completed by Gidropress. No U.S. representatives will attend. (Kent Faris, PNNL, 509-372-4068)

*August TBD -- Brookhaven National Laboratory.
Staff from Novovoronezh NPP will arrive at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in late August to train and perform safety analysis calculations using the nuclear plant analyzer input decks (input files) for Unit 5. BNL is preparing the agenda and training programs that will be needed during their stay. (Greg Slovik, BNL, 516-344-7983)

September 2-6 -- Bilibino NPP, Russia.
Russian participants will accompany U.S. personnel on this site visit that is part of the project involved with transferring training technology. (John Yoder, DOE, 301-903-5650)

*Sept 2 - 13 -- Balakovo NPP, Russia.
Balakovo NPP staff and Sonalysts staff will implement the training courses for electrical maintenance and simulator instructors. Representatives from INSP will implement the specialized training course for management/supervisory skills during the second week of the trip. (Sonja Haber, BNL, 516-344-3575)

*September 3-7 -- Trnava, Slovakia.
INSP representatives will participate in meetings on the Trnava simulator project. (Ken Erickson, PNNL, 509-372-4063)

September 9-13 -- Kozloduy NPP, Bulgaria.
There will be a VVER-1000 EOI working group meeting at Kozloduy NPP. Representatives from all VVER-1000 NPPs are scheduled to attend. (Kent Faris, PNNL, 509-372-4068)

September 16-20 -- Kalinin NPP, Russia.
Russian participants will accompany U.S. personnel on this site visit that is part of the project involved with transferring training technology. (John Yoder, DOE, 301-903-5650)

*September 16-20 -- Moscow, Russia.
Representatives from Gosatomnadzor will attend a workshop on quality assurance for the transport of nuclear materials. (George Sherwood, DOE, 301-903-4162 or George Vargo, PNNL, 509-375-6836)

September 20-29 -- Kozloduy NPP, Bulgaria.
A VVER-440/230 EOI working group meeting is tentatively scheduled. Representatives from the Armenia Nuclear Power Station and the Kozloduy, Novovoronezh, and Kola NPPs will attend. (Kent Faris, PNNL, 509-372-4068)

*September 21-October 4 -- Ignalina NPP, Lithuania and Kozloduy NPP, Bulgaria.
INSP staff will participate in configuration management meetings at Ignalina NPP. Then staff from INSP, Kozolody NPP, and Risk Engineering Limited will meet at Kozloduy NPP to discuss the configuration management and seismic upgrade projects. (Dan Couch, PNNL, 509-372-4591)

*September 30-October 4 -- Place TBD.
Representatives from BNL, DOE, GAN, INPO, and NRC will attend Training Technology Transfer meetings. (Sonja Haber, BNL, 516-344-3575)

*September 30-October 10 -- Waterford, Connecticut.
Balakovo specialists will travel to Sonalysts to continue development of the training course for instrumentation and control operations. (Sonja Haber, BNL, 516-344-3575)

September TBD -- Leningrad NPP, Russia.
Representatives from INSP, Parsons Power, Westinghouse, Leningrad NPP, and RDIPE will meet to reach agreement on specifications for the Leningrad Unit 3 safety parameter display system and sign a memorandum of agreement on roles and responsibilities. (Rich Denning, PNNL, 614-424-7412)

*October 7-18 -- Kozloduy NPP, Bulgaria.
General Physics and Sonalysts staff will assist Kozloduy NPP with the implementation of training courses for the shift supervisors and reactor repair technicians. (Sonja Haber, BNL, 516-344-3575)

October 14-18 -- Smolensk NPP, Russia.
Russian participants will accompany U.S. personnel on this site visit that is part of the project involved with transferring training technology. (John Yoder, DOE, 301-903-5650)

*October 14-25 -- Waterford, Connecticut.
Balakovo NPP specialists will travel to Sonalysts to continue development of the radiation protection training course. (Sonja Haber, BNL, 516-344-3575)

October 21-25 -- Novovoronezh NPP, Russia.
Russian participants will accompany U.S. personnel on this site visit that is part of the project involved with transferring training technology. (John Yoder, DOE, 301-903-5650)

*October 28-November 1 -- Moscow, Russia.
A course on the systematic approach to training will be given in Moscow for participants of the Training Technology Transfer Program. (Sonja Haber, BNL, 516-344-3575)

October TBD -- Place TBD.
An EOI workshop for regulatory personnel tentatively is being scheduled at a U.S. location. Representatives from Russian, Ukrainian, and CEEC regulatory agencies will attend to observe, learn, and discuss regulator involvement with EOIs associated with the VVER reactors. (Kent Faris, PNNL, 509-372-4068)

October TBD -- Kozloduy NPP, Bulgaria.
An EOI workshop is tentatively scheduled for Kozloduy NPP. Representatives from Sonalysts will present the principles of the U.S. "User's Guide" to staff from Kozloduy VVER-1000 and VVER-440/230 units. (Kent Faris, PNNL, 509-372-4068)

October TBD -- Dukovany NPP, Czech Republic.
In a tentatively scheduled EOI workshop, Sonalysts representatives will present the U.S. principles of verification and validation to staff from the Dukovany NPP VVER-440/213 units. (Larry Sherfey, PNNL, 509-372-4080)

October TBD -- Moscow, Russia.
A special meeting of the VVER-1000 working group will be held at VNIIAES. Working group members from the Kozloduy, Balakovo, and Zaporizhzhya NPPs will meet with VNIIAES and Gidropress to review and discuss results of analysis calculations completed by Gidropress. No U.S. representatives will attend. (Kent Faris, PNNL, 509-372-4068)

November 4-8 -- Kozloduy NPP, Bulgaria.
There will be a VVER-440/230 EOI working group meeting at Kozloduy NPP. Representatives from all VVER-440/230 NPPs are scheduled to attend. (Kent Faris, PNNL, 509-372-4068)

November 4-8 -- Zaporizhzhya NPP, Ukraine.
There will be a VVER-1000 EOI working group meeting at Zaporizhzhya NPP. Representatives from all VVER-1000 NPPs are scheduled to attend. (Kent Faris, PNNL, 509-372-4068)

*November 11-22 -- Balakovo NPP, Russia.
Sonalysts staff will assist Balakovo in the implementation of the water chemistry training course. (Sonja Haber, BNL, 516-344-3575)

*November 11-December 6 -- Place TBD.
A workshop on the systematic approach to training will be held for participants of the Training Technology Transfer Program. (Sonja Haber, BNL, 516-344-3575)

November 18-22 -- Smolensk NPP, Russia.
There will be an RBMK EOI working group meeting at Smolensk NPP. Representatives from all RBMK NPPs are scheduled to attend. (Kent Faris, PNNL, 509-372-4068)

December 9-13 -- Bohunice NPP, Slovakia.
There will be a VVER-440/213 EOI working group meeting at Bohunice NPP. Representatives from all VVER-440/213 NPPs are scheduled to attend. (Kent Faris, PNNL, 509-372-4068)

*Dec. 11 - 12 -- Moscow, Russia.
A meeting will be held with the training technology transfer participants to discuss the progress of the program. (Sonja Haber, BNL, 516-344-3575)

December TBD -- Charlotte, North Carolina.
Plans are being made to bring NDE specialists from Russia and Ukraine to the United States to observe U.S. NDE practices. Tentative plans include visits to the Electric Power Research Institute NDE Center in Charlotte and a U.S. NPP, as well as to the Savannah River Site to observe how its inspection program has been upgraded. (Robert Moffitt, PNNL, 509-372-4108)

ACRONYMNS/ABBREVIATIONS

Note: in the interest of providing a timely update on the Soviet-Designed-Reactor Safety Program, no formal document review of this weekly report has been conducted by DOE or PNNL.