At the beginning of 2019 the Government of the Kingdom of Norway approved the continuation of “Chornobyl Decommissioning Visualization Center” project. The project is implemented by the Chornobyl NPP and Institute for Energy Technology (hereinafter — IFE, in Norwegian — Institutt for Energiteknikk).

The new project is targeted at the development of the Chornobyl Decommissioning Visualization Center (hereinafter — CDVC) that was created in 2016. The CDVC introduces the advanced technology of virtual reality (VR), 3D modelling and visualization to improve the efficiency and safety of work performance at the ChNPP decommissioning stages.

As an example, using the CDVC one can calculate occupational doses for personnel when transporting the spent nuclear fuel. This will help to properly install the shielding and calculate the safe performance time. Besides, the Center enables to simulate abnormal and emergency situations and prepare the response plan well in advance.

Read more: ChNPP Decommissioning

For visualization of information the ChNPP specialists, who passed the training within the project, create a detailed 3D model of the facility where work is to be performed. The model comprises a precise location of equipment, personnel and tools in the room. Then, based on the surveys, the model is supplemented with radiation contamination cartogram. The model is ready for calculations.

In addition to the above, the CDVC is used during periodical comprehensive engineering and radiations surveys (CERS), during dismantling activities, for storage and presentation of information about the ChNPP facilities for future generations of specialists who will take part in works at the subsequent and final stages of the decommissioning, for communication to the public, and for personnel training.

The cooperation on the CDVC commenced in 2006 when the Norwegian Government offered its assistance in the ChNPP decommissioning. However, the ChNPP and IFE were able to implement their plans in full only after signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in Nuclear and Radiation Safety, Chornobyl NPP Decommissioning and the Shelter Transformation into an Ecologically Safe System between Ukraine and the Kingdom of Norway in 2012.

Equipment for the future CDVC was purchased using the funds allocated by the Norwegian Government. It included computers, cameras, media and radiation-monitoring equipment, engineering devices. In addition to the equipment, the ChNPP received exclusive software custom-designed by the IFE. In total, 13 working places were equipped for data collection and modelling under the project.

In the second part of the project, that is scheduled for 2019-2020, the ChNPP and IFE plan to extend the Chornobyl Decommissioning Visualization Center. For this purpose, the number of CDVC users will be increased from 10 to 25, additional equipment will be purchased, the software licenses and functionality will be upgraded.

A start-up meeting on the second part of the project is scheduled for the end of February this year.