At the end of December, the project to train Chornobyl NPP specialists in operation, maintenance and repair of BROKK manipulators was officially completed.

BROKK equipment is used at the Industrial Complex for Solid Radioactive Waste Management. In particular, these manipulators are used for remote crushing, sorting and movement of the solid radioactive waste.

The training project lasted four years and was realized by experts from the Belgian company TECNUBEL (now Equans). Every year since 2017, the Belgian experts have delivered two courses of theoretical and practical training for the Plant’s personnel at Chornobyl NPP industrial site. The project is fully funded by the Belgian Government.

The last training course took place at the Equans site in Dessel town, Belgium, from 6 to 18 December.

"TECNUBEL and its partners provided very thorough training for our specialists. They trained them in BROKK manipulators operation, how to diagnose and repair them, and how to detect and repair defects. In addition, Belgian experts twice brought training stands and hydraulic models of the equipment to ChNPP site.

The Belgian side also supplied a number of repair materials for the BROKK hydraulic system, as we have had the manipulators themselves for quite a long time and the rubber parts are losing their elasticity and strength. Work to replace these parts has also become part of the training course for our staff", comments on the project Oleksandr Skomarokhov, Deputy Director for Radioactive Waste Management.

According to Mr Skomarokhov, the training provided an opportunity to sharpen the skills of the Plant’s personnel in the manipulators control. This level of precise control of the mechanisms has already come in handy during the last phase of ICSRM "hot" testing, which was started this autumn. The trained personnel were able to operate the manipulators with ease and handle the most fragile and small size materials without difficulty.

In total, as a result of the training of seven senior shift foremen from ChNPP Industrial Complex for Solid Radioactive Waste Management acquired the necessary knowledge and skills to operate the remotely operated equipment, as confirmed by the relevant certificates.