The Kolskaya NPP held a mission of technical support * on "Leakage of fuel". The mission was carried out by the representatives of the Moscow Center of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) with the participation of experts of the Rovno nuclear power plant, Mochovce (Slovakia) and Paks (Hungary) NPPs.

"Leakage of fuel is a hot topic for us. Safe operation of the plant depends on the efficient operation of nuclear fuel, - said the Deputy Chief engineer for safety and reliability Igor Marakulin. - And for us it was important to gain detailed information  from our colleagues in the WANO Moscow Center about control methods used at their stations. I am sure, tips and expert advices will be useful for our company ".

In particular the guests talked about the procedure sipping control applied at the Russian and Ukrainian nuclear power plants with VVER-1000 and foreign plants with VVER-440 reactors. Sipping control allows to determine leaking fuel rods by measuring gaseous fission products released from the membrane of fuel cell by moving the fuel assemblies from the reactor core to the transport position.

The system of sipping control proved to be effective and, according to WANO experts, can positively affect the overall safety of the Kolskaya nuclear power plant.

* The WANO mission of technical support are held at nuclear power plants in the Russian Federation annually. Traditionally they carried out by experts of the Moscow Center of the World Association. The purpose of these missions is the provision of aid or assistance to sites on issues that are problematic for businesses.

The Kolskaya nuclear power plant is a branch of the JSC "Concern Rosenergoatom". The station is located in 200 km to the South from Murmansk on the shore of the Lake Imandra. It develops about 60% of the electric power in Murmansk region. There are 4 power units in operation with VVER reactors of 440 MW capacity each. The Kolskaya nuclear power plant is the supplier of the electric power for Murmansk region and Karelia.

Updated information about radiation situation near the nuclear power plants in Russia and other objects of the nuclear industry is provided on the site www.russianatom.ru.