21.05.2008 // PR Group of Bilibino NPP/Press service of Rosenergoatom Concern

Technical support mission has taken place Bilibino NPP

A WANO technical support mission took place Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant on May 14–21 2008 on the initiative of the director of the plant Farit Tukhvertov. The mission was organized by the Moscow Center of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO).

The topic of the mission was analysis of operational violations at nuclear power plant. This is an important element of Bilibino NPP’s system of analysis and use of operating experience while the analysis and use of operating experience is one of the key components of the plant’s safety culture system.

The team comprised the director of WANO MC Mikhail Churakov, the head of the laboratory for analysis of operational violations at NPP of VNIIAES (All-Russian Research Institute of Nuclear Power Plants) Mikhail Belozertsev, the head of the department of use of operating experience of Dukovany NPP (the Czech Republic) Frantisek Pleskac and the advisor of the WANO MC Anatoly Chukharev.

The deputy chief engineer for production and quality of Bilibino NPP Oleg Prorokov and the head of the plant’s Training Center Denis Khimchak welcomed the experts. On the first day the guests examined the plant’s documentation on operational violations. They also went on an excursion around Bilibino and visited the Karalveem ore mining factory.

The parties discussed methods of analysis of operational violations at NPPs and considered possible scenarios and real events that had taken place at Bilibino NPP. They also discussed the problem of quality of relevant inquiry. Pleskac told his colleagues about Dukovany’s experience in the field of analysis and use of operating experience and system of investigation of operational violations. He also presented insignificant events that had taken place at the existing Czech NPPs.

On May 21 the management of Bilibino NPP summed up the results of the mission. They said that it was useful and essential in terms of exchange of experience. The experts pointed out the high efficiency of the plant in investigating violations and thanked the hosts for their hospitality and openness.

Presently, all organizations operating nuclear power plants, including Rosenergoatom Concern, are members of the World Association of Nuclear Operators. WANO has several regional centers (Moscow, Atlanta, Paris and Tokyo) as well as a coordinating center in London.