Chornobyl Center

On April 26 1996, the Chornobyl Centre (ChC) was established as a scientific and research institution, subordinated to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. In 2008, it was renamed "State Scientific and Research Institution Chornobyl Centre for Nuclear Safety, Radioactive Waste, and Radioecology".

The mission of the Chornobyl Centre is:
"Create and implement new knowledge and advanced technologies, provide engineering, scientific and technical services in the area of nuclear energy safe utilization for the benefit of the Ukrainian people and Slavutych".

Chornobyl Center in Slavutych, Ukraine

Main services provided by the ChC

1. Nuclear and Radiation Safety

• safety analysis of nuclear facilities:

o thermal and hydraulic calculations, modelling of emergencies;
o safety analysis, radiological risks assessment;
o development of specific software and electronic training programs;
o nuclear and physical calculations;

• development of decommissioning documentation;
• development of organizational documentation, performance of comprehensive engineering and radiation surveys of nuclear power units;
• qualification upgrade services in the area of emergency preparedness and response, environmental protection of NPP controlled area;
• analysis of thermal conditions for spent nuclear fuel storage;
• radioactive waste management and characterization.

2. Security

• Development of documentation in the area of registration, control and physical security of nuclear material (NM), nuclear facilities (NF) and other radiological dispersion devices (RDD);
• Development of practical recommendations on physical security of NM, NF and other RDD;
• Design, installation, setup and maintenance of physical security systems for NM, NF and other RDD.

3. Environmental Protection

• Radioecology and radiobiology research, including research carried out in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone;
• Environmental impact assessment;
• Ecological expertise;
• Ecological audit;
• Services on Environmental Management Systems certification.

4. Laboratory

The ChC is in the position to conduct a set of radio-ecological and radiobiological studies, in particular within the Chernobyl Exclusion zone with the following equipment:
 

Spectrometry equipment:

• Gamma spectrometers (InSpector with GC 3019, SEG-01 detector, InSpector with GC 1018 detector);
• Beta spectrometers (Express-01, SEB -01);
• Canberra Packard Alpha spectrometry complex with PIPS detectors;
• Multifunction alpha-, beta-radiometer (FHT-770T6).

Equipment for radiobiological research:

• Fluorescent microscope (Olympus);
• Inverted microscope (Nikon);
• Spectrophotometer;
• Revco ultra-low freezers (-80 °С);
• Water circulators with refrigeration/heaters and digital controls;
• Hatcher.

Radiochemical equipment:

• Radiochemical laboratory;
• High-speed centrifuges with refrigeration.

Soil samples from the ChEZ for analysis

Chernobyl Exclusion Zone ChEZ

Chernobyl Exclusion Zone ChEZ, approximately 2600km²

The Chornobyl Centre has access to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. This zone, established in 1986 days after the accident in Reactor 4 of the ChNPP, with a radius of 30km, offers a wide variety of training, testing and research possibilities.

Monument in front of ChNPP Reactor 4

The main source of radioactivity in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone consists in the radionuclide fallout resulting from the ChNPP accident.
The radionuclides that can be found in the exclusion zone are mainly 137Cs (Cäsium 137) and 90Sr (Strontium 90).

Chernobyl Nuclear Power plant ChNPP

Hotzone Solutions provides realistic training in the ChEZ for first responders, military personnel, security services, and all those who might potentially work in hazardous and radioactively contaminated environments.
Our courses include detection, protection of personnel and equipment, decontamination of personnel and equipment, as well as sampling and analysis.
We furthermore offer the possibility to perform operational equipment testing in the ChEZ.
Safety will be in accordance with the relevant procedures and guidelines of the IAEA and EURATOM.

 

Full Body Monitor at the ChC

 

Monument in the ChEZ : Fire Fighters

Open water near Pripyat in the ChEZ, for sampling and water purification training and testing

Training area in Pripyat, evacuated town in the ChEZ

View from Pripyat ChEZ towards the ChNPP

Center of Pripyat, ChEZ, one of the Hotzone Solutions training areas

Lecture at the ChC by one of their staff on radiation levels in Pripyat, ChEZ