One of the main tasks of Chornobyl NPP shutdown stage is shutdown and partial dismantling of individual systems and components of power-generating units. The selected strategy of dismantling described in the Chornobyl NPP Decommissioning Programme specifies a capability at the shutdown stage to dismantle those systems and elements of the installation which are external relative to nuclear reactor and do not affect the safety and are not required for work at the subsequent decommissioning stages. Dismantling approach is from “clean’ equipment to “contaminated” in terms of its radioactivity.

Basic information: ChNPP Decommissioning

The strategy was selected based on the comprehensive analysis of the following factors:
• Ensuring safety of personnel, population and environment
• Availability of infrastructure for managing the dismantled equipment (intermediate storage facilities, stations for decontamination, size-reduction etc.)
• Availability of infrastructure for managing the radioactive waste (final storage facility for waste, facilities and plants for its processing)
• Sufficient funding for decommissioning activities
• Availability of required technologies and accessibility to them
• Prospects for further use of the site for other purposes

The systems and equipment that can be dismantled at the shutdown stage are specified in “The Chornobyl NPP Units 1, 2 and 3 Shutdown Programme”.

In 2008, the Kyiv Institute “Energoproject” completed the feasibility study to determine reasonability and desired time frames of equipment dismantling and processing. This report contains a brief description of fundamental solutions for dismantling of the Turbine Hall equipment, general description of the equipment and elements’ types and volumes to be dismantled, dismantling stages and expected duration, synopsis of operational activity in the course of dismantling and processing stage implementation, impact of implementation time frame on economic, radiological and social indicators.

For ChNPP the optimum option was recommended that foresees the following:
• The most prepared for dismantling equipment includes the systems, components and structures of the Turbine Hall Block “Г” that have been conditioned to the state when they can be dismantled and their radiation parameters enable to carry out the equipment dismantling without working time constraints for personnel;
• Activities with respect to dismantling of the Generation II Block “Г” are to be started immediately as it will lead to reduction of maintenance costs for safety of the building and the equipment inside it as well as due to continuous growth of radioactive waste disposal cost;
• All dismantling activities are to be carried out by contractors as such approach is economically more feasible.

Pursuant to Order of the Ministry of Emergencies of Ukraine dated 14.04.2014 No.382 “On Additional Actions to Implement National Target Environmental Program for Radioactive Waste Management”, the Chornobyl NPP developed an action plan for dismantling, size-reduction and decontamination of radioactively contaminated metal contained within the equipment and steel structures.

On November 14, 2012, a contract for “Dismantling, processing and release from regulatory control of Unit 1 Turbine Hall equipment and structures” was made.

As of now, 10,737 tons of equipment has been dismantled. 207 tons of this equipment have been disposed as RAW; 9,303 tons has been decontaminated and released from regulatory control; 1,164 tons are in the process of decontamination and release from regulatory control.

Basic information: Radioactive Material Management

Designing and construction of the Complex for for Manufacturing Metal Drums and Reinforced Concrete Containers for SSE ChNPP Radioactive Waste Storage (CMD&C) is funded from the European Commission under TACIS Program.

The Complex is referred to the infrastructure necessary for the Chornobyl NPP decommissioning. Its necessity is conditioned by construction and commissioning of the Industrial Complex for Solid Radioactive Waste Management (ICSRM) and the Liquid Radioactive Waste Treatment Plant (LRTP) at the Chornobyl NPP.

The Complex, as an integrated part of the program of nuclear safety assurance during management of Radioactive Waste and spent nuclear fuel, will ensure safe collection, cargo handling, storage, processing, transportation and disposal of radioactive waste, particularly, during:
1. Storage at the buffer stores of low- and intermediate-level short-lived waste (LIL-SLW) prior to its transfer for disposal to the Engineered Near-Surface Solid Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility (ENSDF)
2. Packaging of treated liquid LIL-SLW and transportation of waste packages from the LRTP to the ENSDF
3. Packaging, processing and transportation of solid LIL-SLW and transportation of waste packages from th SRPP to the ENSDF
4. Packaging and transportation of solid low- and intermediate-level long-lived waste (LIL-LLW) and high-level waste (HLW) prior to transfer to the Temporary Storage Facility for Low- and Intermediate-Level Long-Lived and High-Level SRW located within the SSE ChNPP site
5. Disposal of LIL-SLW at the ENSDF

Main production capacity:
● 34,250 steel drums a year
● 700 reinforced concrete containers a year

Location: construction base DTMC-1, Slavutych, Kyiv Region. Total area of the industrial site is 1.74 ha.

A transfer shielding container/cask (KTZ) is manufactured with lids of two types (for transfer and for disposal of solid radioactive waste). Steel drums are the primary or outer package of ChNPP radioactive waste. Drums are made of carbon steel and have to meet the strength requirements ensured by technology compliance and structural material quality.

The Complex was commissioned in 2012. Nowadays, the products are manufactured in accordance with the ChNPP’s needs.

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Within the framework of the NSC project at the construction site the following activities were implemented:
-        preparation for dismantling of lifting towers;
-        dismantling of the lifting towers;
-        cleaning of the site and crane rails from snow and ice;
-        preparation for dismantling of temporary metal structures of the Arch;
-        dismantling of safety fencing panels of the Arch’s roof;
-        installation of temporary crossover for construction machinery at the South trench of the Local Zone (earth excavation).

The LRTP is designed for treatment of liquid radioactive waste accumulated during operation and those generated during ChNPP decommissioning, and operational LRW of Shelter Object. Construction of LRTP is financed from the Nuclear Safety Account of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The LRTP is also designed for LRW treatment during 10 years of operation. Its minimal designed capacity is 2,500 m³ of non-treated LRW per year. The Plant is located within the boundaries of the ChNPP protective perimeter, near the liquid radioactive waste storage facility, which is connected to the system of process pipelines laid in the closed overpass.

Basic information Radioactive waste management

The LRTP consists of the following facilities:
1. Facility for liquid radioactive waste (LRW) removal from existing storage facilities
2. Facility for LRW transportation to treatment facility
3. Facility for treatment and cementation of LRW with purpose of containment and immobilization

The solidified liquid waste in the form of a cement compound are packed into 200-L drums and in reinforced concrete containers are transported to the long-term controllable storage facility.

In April 2018 the Chornobyl NPP obtained a license of the State Architectural and Construction Inspection, which certifies the compliance of the facility with current building norms regulations and requirements. The License certifies that the Plant is ready for operation.

At the present time the Liquid Radioactive Waste Treatment Plant is on the way towards reaching its design capacity.