Support to SNRCU in the regulatory activity during commissioning of the radioactive waste processiong facilities at RIVNE NPP and Zaporizhya NPP (U3.04/08

During the last decade the EC provided substantial support to improve radioactive waste (RAW) management in Ukraine. The financial aid was delivered in the form of TACIS and INSC "industrial" projects supporting the Ukrainian Operators. At the Rivne NPP (RNPP) and Zaporizhzhya NPP (ZNPP) sites the following facilities and systems were funded by the EC:
• At RNPP site:
o Lot 1 – solid radioactive waste retrieval facility
o Lot 2 – fragmentation and sorting facility (similar as in ZNPP)
o Lot 3 – super compaction facility (similar as in ZNPP)
o Lot 4 - Container activity measurement system
• At ZNPP site:
o Lot 1 – incineration facility
o Lot 2 – emission monitoring system
o Lot 3 – super compaction facility (similar as in RNPP)
o Lot 4 – fragmentation and sorting facility (similar as in RNPP).
In connection with the above radioactive waste management installations; the UK/TS/45 project was initiated to support the Ukrainian nuclear safety regulator (SNRIU) by improving the effectiveness of the related regulatory decisions.

The main objective of the U3.04/08 (UK/TS/45) project was to improve the safety of Ukrainian nuclear facilities, in particular those related to radioactive waste management, and to improve the regulatory decision making process on the basis of safety assessments. The specific objectives of this project were as follows:
• Provision of technical assessment services on safety substantiation documentation, i.e. on Preliminary Safety Analysis Reports (PSARs) dealing with the solid radioactive waste treatment facilities at the Rivne NPP and Zaporizhzhya NPP.
• Continuation of the work carried out in a previous project U3.01/05 (Component UK/TS/37: Technical support to the SNRIU and its Technical Support Organisations in assessing Preliminary Safety Analysis Reports and assistance in the licensing of radioactive waste processing).
• Performing this activity through development of appropriate criteria, methodologies and procedures; improving co-ordination and interaction with the industrial side, other regulatory authorities and their technical support organisations, at every stage of the licensing process.

The project consisted of three technical tasks as follows:
• Task 1 – Support in the licensing of the industrial project "Solid radioactive waste treatment complex at Rivne NPP" consisting of 2 subtasks:
Task 1.1 – Review of technical safety documentation
The subtask reviewed the PSAR for the new RNPP RAW management facilities. The RNPP complex consists of a solid RAW retrieval facility, fragmentation and sorting facility, super-compactor, container activity measurement system, cementation plant, facility for decontamination of metals and a facility for oil purification.
Task 1.2 – Review of additional documentation on testing of equipment
In this task technical expertise was provided to SNRIU to support assessments related to the acceptance of the systems and equipment delivered. The work included reviews of the individual (equipment) and integral (system) site acceptance test (SAT) programs, as well as the development of recommendations on the compliance of equipment to the national standards, best practice and PSAR.
• Task 2 – Support in the licensing of the industrial project "Solid radioactive waste treatment complex at Zaporizhzhya NPP" consisting of 2 subtasks as follows:
Task 2.1 – Review of technical safety documentation
The subtask reviewed the PSAR for the new ZNPP RAW management facilities. The ZNPP complex consists of several lots and the following lots were constructed by using EU funds: fragmentation and sorting facility, super-compactor, incinerator and emission monitoring system with auxiliary equipment.
Task 2.2 – Review of additional documentation on testing of equipment
In this task technical expertise was provided to SNRIU to support assessments related to the acceptance of the systems and equipment delivered. The work included reviews of the individual (equipment) and integral (system) site acceptance test (SAT) programs, as well as the development of recommendations on the compliance of equipment to the national standards, best practice and PSAR.
• Task 3 – Evaluation and analysis of project results
Task 3 summarized key recommendations and lessons-learned during the project, as well as proposals for future improvements. It also disseminated the lessons-learned to other Ukrainian nuclear power plants during a final dissemination workshop.
Project results were summarized in the Final Report.
The final meeting of UK/TS/45 was held on the 25th of November, 2015, in Kiev. According to the evaluation presented at the meeting, two subtasks (1.1 and 2.1) were finished according to schedule and the related activities were carried out as planned. Other two subtasks (1.2 and 2.2) could be finished only partially, due to the lack of documentation to review. Task 3 – evaluation of project results – was completed as planned.
The work carried out in the project helped the Beneficiary to strengthen the capabilities of SNRIU and its TSO (SSTC) in reviewing safety documentation related to RAW management facilities and systems. It also contributed to the development of SNRIU's ability to prepare or amend Ukrainian regulations establishing safety criteria for RAW management facilities.
The project provided in-depth reviews of Preliminary Safety Analysis Reports describing safety features of radioactive waste management facilities to be operated at Ukrainian NPPs. The project also prepared reviews of site acceptance test programs dealing with on-site testing of equipment and systems to be installed in the RAW management facilities. These reviews were jointly prepared by the European experts and experts from SSTC, the technical support organization of SNRIU. One of the important lessons learnt from the review process was that the discussions of review results with the Operator were very useful. Results of the reviews performed by EU experts were discussed during technical meetings organized with the participation of the Contractor, the SNRIU, the SSTC and the Operator of the RAW processing facilities. These meetings proved to be very useful and the quality of the updated PSARs was enhanced significantly.µ