R1.01/04 A - Liquid radioactive waste treatment system (LRWTS) for Kola NPP - Lot 1 - Transportation and technological equipment

Kola NPP consists of four VVER-440 power units and comprises two special buildings where liquid radioactive waste (LRW) storage vessels are located. These two special buildings were constructed during the 1st construction stage (Units 1 and 2) and 2nd construction stage (Units 3 and 4) respectively. Accumulated LRW is temporarily stored in stainless steel tanks. It has to be processed in such a way as to allow for safe long-term storage, transportation and final disposal of such waste.

It has been decided to renovate the Liquid Radioactive Waste Treatment Unit (LRWTU) at Kola NPP in order to create a complex of process systems, installations and equipment for handling and treatment of waste which has been accumulated up to the present time and in future. This will be done by means of solidification to reduce the initial amount of waste and conditioning for controlled safe storage and further final disposal.

The complete LRWTU includes the following sub-systems, units and equipment (see the block diagram of the complete LRWTU in the attached diagram):

• А1 – dissolution and extraction of salts (R1.01/94G);
• А2 – concentrating (R1.01/96C);
• А3 – cementation of waste ion-exchange resins and sludge (R1.01/04A Lot 3);
• А4 – extraction of liquid radioactive waste from storage tanks (R1.01/94G);
• А5 – removal of radionuclides from evaporator concentrate solutions (R1.01/04A Lot 5/1 and R1.01/04A Lot 5/2);
• Transport/process equipment for handling the solidified waste (R1.01/04A Lot 1);
• Radiation control (monitoring) equipment (R1.01/04A Lot 2);
• Auxiliary systems and units;
• Solidified waste storage facility.

Several of the above systems and components of the LRWTU have been provided through the TACIS programme, as indicated in the above list (see projects R1.01/94G, R1.01/96C, R1.01/04A Lots1-5). Project R1.01/04A Lot 4 comprised the supply of valves for installation at the connections between the different process systems. A feasibility study was also performed in the framework of project R1.6/91.

Project R1.01/04A, programmed in the TACIS Annual Action Programme of 2004, was the so-called 'large-scale' equipment supply project for Kola NPP. It was divided into several lots in order to purchase the remaining equipment needed for the construction of the LRWTU.

The present contract was for Lot 1. Under this contract transport/process equipment for handling the solidified waste (Transport and Technological Equipment – TTE) was delivered.

The ТTE is designed to perform transport and technological operations of handling transport packages filled with radioactive waste.

The following transport and technological operations with transport packages are provided for:

• carrying filter-containers to the place of storage in the LRWTU building;
• handling metal barrels to be loaded with specified liquid waste in the form of fusion salt cakes;
• handling reinforced concrete non-reusable protective containers (NPC) to be loaded with cement compound containing radioactive waste;
• transporting empty filter-containers, non-reusable protective containers and metal barrels for loading with solidified radioactive waste, and moving the NRPC and barrels for further long-term storage in the solidified radioactive waste storage facility (SRWSF);
• transporting fresh cement from cement-truck to receiving tanks of cementation system.

Scope of supply

The scope of the Supply comprises one complete set composed of:

• 2 special bridge cranes of 10 t
• 2 motor trolleys of 7.5t,
• 4 assorted special grips,
• 1 special vehicle,
• 1 vehicle for transport,
• 1 rolling gate,
• the associated I & C elements.

The scope of supply includes the design, manufacture, supply and supervision for installation and commissioning of the above components and systems. It also includes the provision of documentation, acceptance testing, certification, assistance to the End User in licensing and the required training of KNPP personnel.

The specified equipment was delivered, installed and commissioned and all services, including training of End User personnel, were satisfactorily performed. The Provisional Acceptance Certificate (PAC) was signed in July 2010. The warranty period was completed in accordance with the contract and the Final Acceptance Certificate (FAC) was signed in May 2012.