Project R2.12/93 Radiation Monitoring sy

The main objective is to develop the functional parts of a system for automatic control of the radioactive emissions of a selected NPP and of the radioactive dose level in its vicinity. The project is divided in two parts: Project management (Part A) and System Supply (Part B).

The project objective is restricted to develop the above mentioned Part A in order to provide assistance in the management by: Elaborating System Specifications, Participating in the System Procurement activities and Assisting the End-User in the acceptance, start-up and commissioning activities.

The following main documents are planned to be issued within the framework of this project: Procurement Specifications (Hardware & Standard Software, Measuring Container equipment), User Software Functional Specifications, Tendering Process Documentation, Workshop and Acceptance Test Programmes, Functional and Acceptance Tests Documentation.
The work is carried out in four phases:

Phase I: General Managing Activities: Devoted to define, in agreement with the Beneficiary and with participation of Local Subcontractor, the detailed Work Plan, the project Q.A. Programme as well as the final definition of the Selected NPP.

Phase II: Computerized Data System: focused to support the management of the supply and installation of a Computerized Data Acquisition, Process and Transmission System through the elaboration of the relevant Procurement Specification, the Functional Specification of the User's Software so as the assistance in the selection of suppliers and general supervision.

Phase III: Measuring Container: Devoted to support the supply and installation of the Measuring Container and its relating monitoring equipment, through the elaboration, of the Procurement Specifications, the assistance in the supplier's selection process and general supervision so as to develop the operation, maintenance and periodical test manuals and procedures, associated to the installed equipment.

Phase IV: Acceptance of the Whole System: devoted to the final commissioning of the whole Radiation Monitoring System by supervising the functional and acceptance tests of the overall system.

These four phases include the following tasks:

• Phase I:
  • Task 1: General Project Programme.
  • Task 2: NPP Selection.
• Phase II:
  • Task 3: Computerised Data System
    • Subtask 3.2: Procurement Specifications.
    • Subtask 3.3: Functional Specifications.
    • Subtask 3.4: Tendering Process.
    • Subtask 3.5: Preparation of detailed Test Programmes.
    • Subtask 3.6: Supervision of performance of workshop tests.
    • Subtask 3.7: Supervision of transport and installation at site.
    • Subtask 3.8: Supervision of start-up test and commissioning.
    • Subtask 3.9: Final documentation.
• Phase III:
  • Task 4: Measuring Container
    • Subtask 4.2: Elaboration of the Procurement Specifications including test programmes.
    • Subtask 4.3: Assistance to the procurement Agent in the tendering process.
    • Subtask 4.4: Examination of the workshop test programmes established by the manufacturers.
    • Subtask 4.5: Preparation of detailed commissioning. Start-up and acceptance test programmes.
    • Subtask 4.6: Preparation of the operation and maintenance procedures (manuals) as well as the programme for periodical tests.
    • Subtask 4.7: Supervision of the performance of the workshop test according to the test programme.
    • Subtask 4.8: Supervision of the installation and commissioning of the complete measuring container including equipment at site.
    • Subtask 4.9: Supervision of the start-up and acceptance test criteria.
    • Subtask 4.10: Compilation of the final documentation.
• Phase IV:
  • Task 5: Acceptance of the whole system.

The End User was the operating personnel of the Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant, and the rest of the NPP of the Russian Federation through ROSENERGOATOM as the Beneficiary and Electrical Utility Owner.

a) Task 1: General Project Programme:

The Contract of the project was officially signed in February 13th, 1997. The Kick-off meeting to start up the project was held in Moscow the 2nd and 3rd of April 1997, attending representatives of the Beneficiary, ROSENERGOATOM, Local Subcontractor, (SNIIP-ASKRO), the EC Consultant Team and other organisations as Atomenergoproekt (ATE) and VNIIAES. During the meeting, a better identification of the main problems in the project development was identified and a programme with the actions to be followed was agreed.

The Q.A. Programme for the project was elaborated, including the issue of the following documents:
MP-MA-04: Radiation Monitoring System (Phase 2). Project Management Assistance: Organisation Manual.
MP-MA-05: Radiation Monitoring System (Phase 2). Project Management Assistance: Quality Assurance Manual.

The Russian Safety Codes and Standards applicable to the project were identified and considered in the elaboration of the Q.A. Manual and both Technical Specifications.
In January, 1998, the Office Equipment for SNIIP-ASKRO, was purchased after the formal approval of the Commission and according to EC rules.

A meeting was held in Moscow the 18th and 19th of July, attending representatives of the Beneficiary (ROSENERGOATOM), the End-User (Novovoronezh NPP), the Local Subcontractor (SNIIP-ASKRO), the EC Consultant Team and other organisations as Atomenergoproject and VNIIAES.

During the meeting the following topics were covered:

1. Status of the Technical Specifications
2. System Site Location and Installation
3. Activities related to the development of the User Software
4. Progress of the project.

b) Task 2: Selection of Novovoronezh as Reference NPP for the project:

Novovoronezh NPP was selected as reference NPP for the project

c) Task 3: Computerised Data System:

Sub-task 3.2: Procurement Technical Specification:

At the end of August SNIIP-ASKRO sent to DTN the detailed answer to points 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 3.5 and 4.2 of annex 1 of the Minutes of Meeting held in Moscow on the 3rd of April, 1997. This technical information was incorporated and took into consideration in the editing of the draft of the Procurement Technical Specification.

The draft was sent to the Local Subcontractor for comments. These comments were introduced and Procurement Technical (P.T.) Specification was issued by DTN.
In November the definitive and official version (Rev 1) of the P.T. Specification was sent in English to the Beneficiary and to the End-User to be endorsed and approved. At the same time it was translated into Russian by DTN's representative in Moscow.

The P.T. Specification was endorsed by the End-User (Novovoronezh NPP) on the 17th of December, 1997 and by the Beneficiary (ROSEENERGOATOM) on the 24th of December, 1997.
At the beginning of January it was dispatched to the Procurement Agent (ITALTREND).
Thus, the Procurement Technical Specification for Computerised Data System, concerning to the whole Hardware System and de Commercial Software (Basic) which includes the Operating System of the Control Computer and the On-Line Computer, the compilers, the Local Area Network Protocols, Relational Data base Management System, Data Logger of the Measure Container, etc., was prepared to be included in the Tender Dossier.

Subtask 3.3: User Software Functional Specification:

The first draft to Functional Analysis was sent by the Local Subcontractor to DTN at the end of August and was written again according to Western Methodologies by DTN
The progress in the elaboration of this Functional Specification was stopped till the date in which the definitive related P.T. Specification were concluded, due to the absolute necessity to take it into account in the elaboration of the Functional Specification.

An "On the Job Training" of a Local Subcontractor's Expert took place at DTN's facilities in Spain. The main tasks of this expert during the Training, which lasted from 17th of November to 18th of December, were to develop, in close collaboration with DTN's experts, the draft of User Software Functional Specification and to familiarise with the Western Radiation Monitoring Systems. This person should be the one who supervise the installation at site, start-up tests and commissioning of the related Hardware and Software.

In the context of the Training, the expert visited a Spanish nuclear power plant (Cofrentes NPP), with the aim of acquiring, "in situ", the Western's approach to the Radiation Monitoring Systems.
At the end of January, the communication module and the final comments of the whole specification, with special emphasis in the part related to the dispersion/prognostic meteorological model, was submitted to DTN by the Local Subcontractor.

These comments were properly introduced and the official version (Rev 0) of the User Software Functional Specification was sent in English to the Beneficiary and to the End-User to be endorsed and approved. At the same time it was translated into Russian by DTN's representative in Moscow.
It was endorsed by the End User (Novovoronezh NPP) on the 10th of February, 1998 and by the Beneficiary (ROSENERGOATOM) on the 11th of February, 1998
On the 26th of February, it was dispatched to the Procurement Agent (ITALTREND).
Thus, the User Software, which was going to acquire, process and store data obtained from the signals monitored, was prepared to be launched to tender or to be awarded by Direct Agreement.

Subtask 3.4 & 4.3: Tendering Process:

On 8th of January DTN sent to the Procurement Agent the related Procurement Technical Specification. So the Tendering Process could start on that date.
DTN recommended that the User Software should be awarded by Direct Agreement.
The "Technical Evaluation Criteria" for the Computerised Data System and for the Measuring Container were prepared and dispatched to the Task Manager and to the Procurement Agent, in April'98 and February'98 respectively. An "Open Tender Procedure was also prepared. These documents were approved by the Task Manager.

As a consequent of the interchange of information between the P.A., DTN and SNIIP-ASKRO, an Addendum, to each one of the Specifications was issued. These addenda were endorsed by the End-User and by the Beneficiary.

The Procurement Agent elaborated the draft tender documents that were dispatched to DTN, on 18th of May, for comments. These comments were sent to the Procurement Agent to be introduced in the Tender Dossier.
In order to take into consideration the Metrological Homologation of the Measuring Container a new Addendum (N 2) to the related Technical Specification was issued and approved by the End-User and by the Beneficiary, in June'98.

On 17th of June, the Procurement Agent sent to DTN the revised version of draft tender documents, in which the above mentioned addendum was included, to proceed with finalisation and submission to EC. DTN sent the comments/approval to these documents on the 22nd of June.
The Procurement Agent dispatched the set of tender documents, concerning to Measuring Container and Computerised Data System for EC approval (09/09/98)
It has to be pointed out that the Tender is made out of two Lots, taking into consideration that any bidder must tender for one or more complete Lot(s)

• Lot 1: Measuring Container
• Lot 2: Computerised Data System

Subtask 3.5 Workshop, Commissioning and Acceptance Test Programmes

The draft of the Workshop and Acceptance Test Programmes was elaborated by SN1IP-ASKRO and reviewed by DTN.
It has to be pointed out that the Final Report for Approval Workshop and Acceptance Tests Programmes can not be issued until the award of the contract related to the Computerised Data System.

d) Task 4: Measuring Container.

Sub-task 4.2: Procurement Technical Specification:

The necessary information about metrological acceptance and test programmes was sent by the Local Subcontractor at the end of August, and took into consideration in the definitive Technical Specification elaboration.
The draft was sent to the Local Subcontractor for comments. These comments were introduced and, in November, 97, the definitive and official version (Rev 0) of the P.T. Specification was issued in English and sent to the Beneficiary and to the End-User to be endorsed and approved. At the same time it was translated into Russian by DTN's representative in Moscow.
The P.T. Specification was endorsed by the End-User (Novovoronezh NPP) on the 17th of December, 1997 and by the Beneficiary (ROSEENERGOATOM) on the 24th of December, 1997.
At the beginning of January it was dispatched to the Procurement Agent (ITALTREND).
Thus, the Procurement Technical Specification for Measuring Container including Test Programmes, containing sufficient information to provide the complete basis for component/equipment supply in accordance with the report, identification n RGRO014 TACIS 91-1.11 and Codes and Standards, was prepared to be included in the Tender Dossier.

Sub-task 4.4: Examination of Suppliers Workshop Test Programmes:

The draft of Workshop and Acceptance Tests Programmes was prepared by SNIIP-ASKRO and reviewed by DTN.
It has to be pointed out that the Final Report for Approval Workshop and Acceptance Tests Programmes can not be issued until the award of the "Measuring Container" contract.
Subtask 4.5: Preparation of Metrological Acceptance Test:
The draft of Metrological Acceptance was written by SNIIP-ASKRO and reviewed by DTN. The related Final Report was prepared.

It has to be stressed that the Subtask 3.5 (Preparation of detailed Tests Programmes) and 4.4 (Examination of Workshop Programmes) can not finish until the award of the contract because the supplier related information is required. Therefore, it was not possible to start the subsequent subtasks till that date.
Additionally, the subtasks 3.7 (Supervision of the System at site) and 4.8 (Supervision of installation and commissioning of the complete container including equipment at site) could not start till the delivery of the equipment. Thus, after analysing the pending tasks, it was estimated that, after the Tender for the "Measuring Container" and "Computerised Data System" was launched at the beginning of December'98 and the "User Software” was awarded in February'99, the project would finish in February, 2000.

Lessons Learrnt and Recommendations

1. The inception phase including the local subcontracting took more time than anticipated. In order to improve the communication flow among the involved parties, DTN allocated additional resources to Moscow.
From that date and confirming that personal contact is very beneficial for the smooth running of international projects where several actors are involved, the relationships and interchange of information between the Local Subcontractor (SNIIP-ASKRO), ROSENERGOATOM and DTN improved considerably. Thus the whole Project Team got an important advance in the project, finishing and getting the approval of the Technical Specification.

2. During the preparation of the General Schedule it was assumed that the Tendering Process for tasks 3 and 4 would last only four months. As it was stated in the Inception Report, this was not enough time.
The main risk for the smooth progress of this kind of projects, as has already been experienced in other TACIS projects, is the Tender and Procurement Process.

3. DTN recommended that the User software, defined in the "User Software Functional Specification" should be awarded by Direct Agreement, based on the following:

• At first the elaboration of the user software (task B3.1) was included in Part A of this project. Due to the limited budget of Part A, this task was included into Part B (complete system supply). As stated in DTN's Contract with the Commission, it was considered that the development of this software should be assigned to the company responsible to prepare the functional specification, but using funds allocated in part B.
• The development of a typical User-Software is divided in two phases:

A. Functional Analysis

B. Software development or Code

The phase A can be considered the first approach, providing the basis for the development of the User-Software. This work was done and its outputs was an "on the job training" in Madrid and the "User Software Functional Specification", that was endorsed by the Beneficiary and the End-User.
Both phases are totally connected and consequently it would be a waste of efforts (money and time) to separate them. Moreover, the company that would develop the software would have to interpret a functional analysis that has not been prepared by them. Therefore, for the benefit of the project, it should be reasonable to consider the two phases as a whole to be assigned to the same company, just as was originally planned.

The Local Subcontractor, SNIIP-ASKRO, through the expert Lidya Parycheva, was working in Spain, in close collaboration with DTN's experts, in order to develop the Functional Specification and to obtain and acquire the western experience and know-how in this field. Taking into consideration that the training provided to SNIIP-ASKRO would facilitate the preparation of the related software (code) in accordance with the Functional Specification developed during the training period; the Code should have been developed with its participation.

4. This project was very important for the project partner. Its results were planned to be used by other NPPs in Russia. Its main outputs, (Technical Specifications, approved and endorsed by the End-User and by the Beneficiary, Evaluation Criteria, Training in Spain, Workshop and acceptance Test Programmes Drafts, Metrological Acceptance Tests) were achieved.