November 22, 2013, the following block (В6-1) of ChNPP II Generation Ventilation Stack (VS-2) of 18 tons was dismantled.

Mt. Alexander Plotnikov, Ukrtransbud’s Project Manager of VS-2 dismantling noted that one of the major difficulties in this project was to recruit personnel of appropriate qualification. This difficulty was caused, first of all, by the fact that overhead works were anticipated. Besides, all the activities are carried out within radiation fields and due to this comprehensive medical examination in the Research Centre of Radiation Medicine must be conducted.

Within special area the earlier dismantled blocks are being cut. The fragments are moved to Unit 3 Turbine Hall for temporary storage.

The monitored parameters of radiation conditions do not exceed design-based reference levels.

After State Architectural and Construction Inspectorate had issued permit to perform activities for “Reconstruction of ChNPP Unit 4 Turbine Hall enclosing contour between axes 46-52 and А-B” the physical works were commenced.

The personnel have been mobilized to the site where activities will be carried out; the road surfacing is being improved within the local area of Shelter Object; the access ramps and runways as well as a ground for framework assembling are being arranged. The plant-manufacturer fabricates steelwork components of the turbine hall roofing spatial module.

Ukrderzhbudekspertyza issued positive experts’ conclusion for Detailed Design of “Reconstruction of ChNPP Unit 4 Turbine Hall enclosing contour between axes 46-52 and А-B” developed by Kyiv Institute “Energoproekt” and this detailed design was approved by SSE ChNPP order in September 2013.

In November 2013, based on the tender results a contract for civil works was concluded with Ukrtransbud Corporation.

The activities associated with reconstruction of enclosing contour of ChNPP Unit 4 Turbine Hall are scheduled to be completed by the end of current year.

For information. On February 12, 2013, Unit 4 Turbine Hall wall structures and some part of light roof collapsed partially. The area of damage made about 600 m². From February 12 till 20, two commissions worked to investigate the causes of incident, they analyzed the situation due to which the building structures collapsed and issued their propositions for eliminating consequences.

November 19, Oleh Proskuriakov, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine arrived at Chernobyl NPP on a working visit.

Within the framework of this visit the Minister inspected a new safe confinement erection site and held a meeting with SSE ChNPP top managers where they discussed the progress and status of decommissioning activities and implementation of international projects on the plant’s site.

Much attention was paid to the issues of current financing for Chernobyl NPP and planning how to allocate funds for activities in 2014.

Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mr. O.Proskuriakov highlighted importance of the activities carried out on ChNPP’s site and necessity to commission in timely manner the facilities being constructed in the framework of international projects.

Based on the visit results the Minister gave a number of instructions as for processing documents in order to provide funding for the activities scheduled at ChNPP for the next year.

On the 12^th of November participants of a plenary meeting of the Western European Nuclear Regulators Association (WENRA) visited the Chernobyl NPP within the framework of a technical tour.

The Western European Nuclear Regulators Association represents a network of heads of regulatory bodies from the EU countries with nuclear power facilities and Switzerland, as well as from other interested European countries, to which the observer status was given. The main objectives of the WENRA are to develop common approaches to nuclear and radiation safety and to elaborate the criteria to assess the regulation in the EU pre-accession countries. Ukraine has a status of observer in the WENRA since 2009 and for the first time holds a regular meeting of the Association. The participants visited the Chernobyl NPP within the framework of the meeting agenda.

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On the 9th of November 2013 the fourth block (B-4) of the ChNPP II Generation Ventilation Stack (VS-2), consisted of a pipe and a supporting structure with total weight of 45 tons, was dismantled.

Fragmentation of the previously dismantled blocks is underway within the specially prepared areas. 65 fragments of VS-2 have been received for temporary storage at the Turbine Hall.

The monitored radiation parameters do not exceed the design-based reference levels.

On November 5, 2013 the second block of ventilation stack of ChNPP 2-nd generation was dismantled.

The second block is a supporting structure of the stack; its weight is 56 tons. The second block as well as the first one dismantled on October 31 was placed within the area specially prepared for the subsequent fragmentation.
The radiation parameters under monitoring do not exceed the design-based reference levels.

October 31, 2013 the first block of Ventilation Stack (VS-2) of ChNPP 2 generation has been dismantled. Weight of the dismantled block is 33 tons. The block is located at specially prepared site where it will be fragmented to move it in Unit 3 Turbine Hall for temporary storage.

Radiation situation parameters were monitored continuously during the work. Controllable parameters of the radiation situation do not exceed the design control levels. Additional radiation survey of dismantled block and its preparation for fragmentation is underway.

Dismantling of VS-2 will be performed by sequentially removing of separate blocks using the high capacity crane DEMAG. In total 7 blocks will be dismantled with weight 330 tons.

Planned completion date for VS-2 dismantling is December 10, 2013.