Liquid Radioactive Waste Treatment Plant to Be Commissioned December 2017 on ChNPP Industrial Site

The construction of the liquid radioactive waste treatment plant (LRTP) intended for processing of ChNPP waste has been restored on ChNPP industrial site.

According to information received from ChNPP, the LRTP is designed to process liquid radioactive waste accumulated at ChNPP and that generated in ChNPP decommissioning, as well as liquid radioactive waste of the Shelter.

“Currently, more than 20,000 cubic meters of liquid radioactive waste is stored in existing storage facilities located on ChNPP industrial site. After processing at the plant, they will be packed and transported for long-term storage to the Vektor Complex”, commented Vitalii Petruk, Head of the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management.

LRTP is intended for a 20-year period of operation. Its minimum design capacity is 2,500 cubic meters of non-treated liquid radioactive waste per year. Comprehensive active tests were conducted in 2014 and an individual permit was obtained for LRTP operation on the condition of receiving certificate from the State Architectural and Construction Inspection. However, additional activities are needed to receive such a certificate due to introduction of new construction regulations in Ukraine, in particular on reconstruction of fire and lightning protection systems, as well as external insulation of LRTP building. The specified activities will be financed from the state budget of Ukraine.

On 07 August 2017, according to results of open tender, an agreement was concluded with the contractor for the above activities, the scope of which was divided into two packages. The first package is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017, which will allow commissioning of the facility and start processing of liquid radioactive waste. The completion of the whole scope of activities under the mentioned agreement is planned for May 2018.

Photo courtesy of Oleksandr Syrota

According to the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management