Chernobyl Decommissioning Visualisation Center – ChNPP Planner Extension & Optimization

Overview of the ChNPP site

Together with ChNPP we will extend the software called Chernobyl VRdose Planner. In the first CDVC project it was based on IFE’s VRdose Planner and adapted to ChNPP’s needs.

ChNPP VRdose Planner visualizes  the gamma-radiation fields in a 3D view within  the simulated environment based on measured data or data obtained as part of a comprehensive engineering and radiation survey (CERS). It can do occupational dose calculations estimating the dose to be received by the personnel when entering the radioactively contaminated area. The visualization of gamma-radiation fields and the dose calculation can help minimizing the personal risks and optimizing the usage of personnel. The ChNPP VRdose Planner thereby supports the principle about “as low as (is) reasonably achievable” dose (ALARA), which is an important part of a good nuclear safety culture.

Budget

The size of the project is ca. 4 MNOK. 1,5 MNOK will be used on equipment, subcontractors and travels while 2,5 MNOK will be for IFE work.

Time schedule and plan

The time schedule is 2018-2020 and in the new project we will focus on fulfilling the following ChNPP needs:

  • Increase the number of superusers of the ChNPP VRdose Planner from 10 to about 25.
  • Purchase equipment for the extended number of superusers and for upgrading the equipment in the current CDVC.
  • Give old and new superusers training in the use of an extended version of ChNPP VRdose Planner, which will be made as part of the project based on ChNPP’s needs and experiences from other assistance projects done by IFE at Leningrad NPP (LNPP) and in Andreeva Bay in Russia.
  • Train ChNPP in 3D modelling using SketchUp Pro.
  • Update the user interface in ChNPP VRdose Planner and extend the software with new functionality.
  • Develop test scenarios with focus on ALARA together with ChNPP.

The current project is the first step in a plan for completing the CDVC. In 2019 we will apply the NRPA for the next step which will be improving the ChNPP VRdose Planner with features for optimal use of the input data. In 2020 we hope to get a project making it possible to do even more realistic scenarios in ChNPP VRdose Planner. Later the plan is to  implement more advanced dose calculations and get the radiation calculation module certified in Ukraine.

In the spring 2019 we plan to apply  for a continuation of the LNPP VRdose Planner project at LNPP which we finished in March 2018 and we also hope to be able to apply for similar project at Kola NPP.