ML20195D654

Joint Coordinating Committee on Civilian Nuclear Reactor Safety,Moscow,USSR,880822-31

ML20195D654
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Issue date:	08/22/1988
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, TABLE OF.C0h1ENTS-r Reprintet tr.xt of the' joint U.S. - U.S.S.d. pitu release ch the.

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August 19-?! 1980 visit of the ').S. civilitr. r uclear recctor ,

safety delegation to the b.S.S.R. ,

2) Reprinted text of *.he protocol en the discussions by the .

L deltgations of the U.S. ano the U.S.S.R. cn problen.s of safety  ;

of nuclear energy ar.o of the visit of the U.S. celegation to '

soviet enterpriset, associated with nuclear power t

3) Reprinted text of the protocol of the first meeting of the joint U.S. - U.S.S.R. Joint Cocrdinating Ctamiittee for Civillar -

. Nuclear Reactor Safety (OCCCNRS) 2 1 j 4) Reprinted teyt of the memotdr.dum of CCC4rhtion in the field rf civ;11er. nuclear reactor aftty between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R.

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,\. 'i 3 n , , Joint U.S. - U.S.S.R. Press Release on Visit of U.S. . Civilian Nutlear Reactor

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['" \ o Safety Delegation to U.S.S.R.

August 19-31, 1988' , l r

, in accordance with the decisions of the Seventh Session of the Joint b.S. - U.S.S.R.' Comittee on Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Atomic -

Energy, and with the signing in Washingcon on April 26, 1988 of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. in the field of civilian nuclear reactor safety that was registered in the joint communique of. President Ronald Reagan of the U.S. and General Secretary Mikhail S. Gorbachev cf the Central Comittee of the Comunist Party of the U.S.S.R. on June 2.19Bd. Chaiman Lando W. Zech. Jr. of the Nuclear  ;

Regulatory Comission led a seventeen member U.S. delegation to the Soviet Union August 19 - 31 to discuss and reach agreement on specific  ;

proposals for cooperation in the field of civilian nuclear reactor safety. A list of the members of the U.S. delegation is attached.' [

L Members of the U.S. delegation were received by leaders and senior officials of the U.S.S.R. State Comittee on the Utilization of Atomic Energy Ministry of Nuclear Power and the State Comittee for Supervision  !

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of Nuclear Power Safety.  !

Chaiman Zech's visit started U.S. - Soviet bilateral cooperation f under the Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of civilian nuclear

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reactor safety, signed in Washington, D.C. on April 26 by Chaiman

• lexander Protsenko of the U.S.S.R. State Comittee on the Utilization of C

2 Atomic Energy and chairman Zech. In particular, this nemorandum established a Joint Coordinating Committec for Civilian h'uclear Reactor Safety, with representatives from each country, to define areas of ,

exchange and develop cooperative proposals. Mr. James Taylor of the U.S.

NRC and Dr. Nikolat Ponomarev-Stepnoi of the Kurchatov Institute are co-chairman of this Connittee.

Meetings of the Joint Coordinating Connittee were held in Moscow August 22 - 24 and on August 31, focusing on possible areas of cooperation in civilian nuclear reactor safety:

-- safety approaches and regulatory practices in both countries.-

-- exchange of completed analyses of the safety of nuclear power plants in the U.S. and Soviet Union.

-- radiation effects on reactor vessels and structures and annealing of reactor vessels.

-- fire protection.

-- codifications and backfitting (changes to older plants).

-- severe accidents.

-- health ef fects and environmental protection.

-- exchange of operational experience.

-- diagnostics, analysis equipment and systems for supporting nuclear plant operators.

-- erosion / corrosion of piping.

Proposals for poiential joint activities in these areas were ,

reviewed by the two sides during very productive meetings, and agreement was reached on specific future cooperative efforts, including meetings, seminars, carparative analyses, exchanges of information and visits to

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3 each other's civilian nuclear power plants and related facilities.

Programs for work in the above areas will be reviewed for approval by both governments.

. These discussions follow an exchange of visits in 1987 by senior safety officials from the two countries. In addition to participating in the Joint Connittee discussions, Chairman Zech met with leaders and other senior officials from the Soviet organizations working on ensuring nuclear power safety: in particular, Chainnan Vadim Malyshev of the State Comittee for Supervision of Nuclear Power Safety Chairman Alexander Protsenko of the Soviet State Comittee for Utilization of Atomic Energy and Minister Nikolai LukonKn of the Ministry of Atomic Power. In addition, Chairman Zech and the U.S. delegation members toured the Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy in Moscow, the Chernobyl, Novoyoronezh and Rovno nuclear power plants, and the Izhora fabrication plant for heavy equipment for nuclear power plants located near Leningrad. As is his custom, Chainnan Zech made a point of speaking with plant operators and inspection officials aoout the importance of nuclear i safety.

In all his meetings, Chairman Zech emphasized the importance of a strong comitment to safety in all aspects of the design, construction, operation and management of nuclear power plants. In these discussions, U.S. and Soviet officials noted that while there are some differences in designs and safety viewpoints between the countries, Soth are comitted to safe operation of their civilian nuclear power plants. The two sides agreed that safe operation of today's reactors is a key factor to the  ;

future worldwide use of nuclear power.

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Both countries look forward to continued enhancements of safety through greater understanding of each other's approaches and to making further improvements in the safety of their respective plants. The -

cooperation planned betwen the U.S. and the U.S.S.R., with their large nuclear power programs, begins an important exchange with the objective of improving nuclear safety in reactors of U.S. and Soviet design.

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REPRINT Appendix 1 U.S. Nuclear Safety Delegation to U.S.S.R.

August 1988 i Lando W. Zech, Jr., Chairman, Nuclear Regulatory Comission (NRC), Head of

. Delegation.

NRC Representatives Dennis K. Rathbun, Executive Assistant to Chairman Zech T. Patrick Gwynn, Technical Assistant to Chairman Zech i

Linda E. Portner, Special Assistant to Chairman Zech i

Harold Denton, Director Office of Governmental and Public Affairs (GPA)

Senior Advisor to Joint Coordinating Comittee for Civilian Nuclear Reactor Safety (JCCCNRS)

James Taylor, Deputy Executive Director for Operations U.S. Co-Chairman of the JCCCNRS James Snfezek, Deputy Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation [

Themis Speis Deputy Director for Generic issue Resolution, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research Edward Jordan Director, Office of Analysis and Evaluation of Operational i Data ,

l James Shea, Director, International Programs, GPA, US Executive Secretary of JCCCNRS r

Department of Energy Representatives Sol Rosen Director, International Nuclear Prograe: Division, Office of ,

Nuclear Energy '

Murray Schulman, Executive Assistant for Health and Environment Research, t Office of Energy Research l

,. Andrew Reynolds, Peaceful Uses Agreement Executive Secretary, Office of  !

International Research and Development Policy l Marvin Goldman, University of California (under contract to DOE)

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Department of State Representative I Theodore Wilkinson, Director, Office of Nuclear Energy Technology, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs l t

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U.S. Embassy. Moscow Representative John Ward, Science Counselor

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Interpreters l .

Joseph Lewin Igor Korak i

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O REPR' INT Protocol I on Discussions by the Delegations of the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. on Problems of Safety of Nuclear Energy and of the Visit of the l

U.S.A. Delegation to Soviet Enterprises Associated j with Nuclear Power August 19 - 31, 1988 In accordance with the decisions of the Seventh Session of the Joint U.S. - U.S.S.R. Committee on Cooperation in Peaceful uses of Atomic l Energy, and with the signing in Washington on April 26, 1988, of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. in the field of civilian nuclear reactor safety that was registered in the joint communique of President Ronald Reagan of the U.S. and General Secretary l~ Mikhail S. Gorbachev of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of 1

the U.S.S.R. on June 2, 1988, a U.S. delegation, headed by Chairman Lando W. Zech, Jr. of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, visited the U.S.S.R from August 19 through 31, 1988.

The visit provided the occasion for the first session of the Joint Coordinating Cunnittee on Civilian Nuclear Reactor Safety (JCCCNRS),

which was created in accordance with the Memorandum of Cooperation.

in discussions held in Moscow August 22-24 and August 31, representatives of both countries discussed many aspects of nuclear power stations. The delegations are listed in an appendix.

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Programs for cooperation were reviewed by the two sides in very productive meetings and agreement was reached on specific future cooperative efforts, which are described in a separate protocol between '

Mr. James Taylor, the U.S. co-chairman of the JCCCNRS. and Dr. Nikolai Ponomarev-Stepnoy the U.S.S.R. co-chairman of the JCCCNRS.

These proposals will be reviewed for approval by both governments.

In addition, to participating in the Joint Committee discussions.

Chairman Zech met with the leaders and others srnior officials from the Soviet organ 17ations working on ensuring nuclear power safety, in particular Chairman Vadim Malyshev of the State Coenittee for Supervistor, of Nuclear Power Safety, and Minister Nikolai Lukonin of the Ministry of Atomic Power. In addition. Chairman Zech and various U.S. delegation members visited the following facilities and installations in the U.S.S.R. to observe Soviet approaches to nuclear safety:

1) The Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy in Moscow.

Here the Soviets outlined the role and functions of the Institute and the U.S. Visitors toured the materials test (NR) reactor, the experinental facility for study of High Temperature Gas Reactors and the first Soviet reactor, now being used for neutron standards calibration.

2) The Novoyoronezh Atomic Power Station:

The U.S. delegation was briefed on the station's activities, including .

construction and operation over the years of prototypes of several VVER reactors, such as the VVER-440 and VVER-1000 reactors. The group toured the control rooms and turbine hall for units 3 and 4. VVER-440 reactors that care into operation in the early 1970's, and observed the refueling activities underway on Unit 4 Unit 3 was in full power eperation. They

3 also received a briefing on the work on the Training and Commissioning Centar and toured several training and simulator facilities.

3) The Izhora Production Association at Kolpino, near Leningrad:

Discussions were held at Izhorskiy Zavod on Soviet metallurgy and manufacturing techniques for nuclear plant components. The U.S. visitors toured various testing and examination laboratorias, the electro-slag furnace operations, press and rolling mM1 operstions and reactor component fabrication facilities. Work in unocrway centered on the VVER

- 1000 components and vessels. The finished reactor vessel for the first Cuban nuclear power plant has been completed but not yet shipped.

4) The Khlopin Radium Institute at Gatchina, near Leningrad:

Several U.S. delegation members viewed the hot cells an' "aciated laser fuel cutting coepartment at the Khlopin Institute. The . let side described a new program of fuel kinetics analysis for simulation of core degradation that has been initiated recently and will include Chernobyl fuel specimens later this year. The U.S. side was invited to participate directly in the Institute's program as a part of joint activities and will consider this proposal over the course of the next year. I

5) Chernobyl Atomic Power Station:

Most of ths U.S. delegation members visited the Chernobyl Station j (RBMK-type reactors) where they held discussions with plant personnel about such matters as the safety changes introduced since the 1986 accident and the status of radiation cleanup at the plant and neighboring a rea s. The delegation, the first foreign representatives to do so, toured the outer roots of the sarcophagus built around destroyed Unit 4 and observed drilling to retrieve core samples. The damaged turbine hall

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i for Unit 4, which had high radioactivity levels, was also visited very  ;

briefly. The delegation saw the control room for Unit 4 and some members l also saw the control room of Unit 1, which was operating at full power.

4 The delegation also toured the evacuated town of Pripyat, and was told ,

I there are no plans to resettle it at this time. -

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6) The All-Union Center for Radiation Medicine in Kiev:  !

Separate from the Chernobyl visit, and in parallel with it, two reembers  !

4 of the U.S. delegation visited the Center for discussion on health and l environmental issues and research activities related to Chernobyl. The l j U.S. noted the encouraging work already begun in this field by regional

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organtrations in Kiev and urged that the scope and coordination of this I work be expanded so as to make available a more comprehensive data base  !

I j on results of the accident.

] 7) The Rovno Nuclear Power Station:

l For the first time, a delegation from the U.S. visited this plant i f including: (1) a tour of the control room and turbine hall of Unit 3, a

] VVER-1000 plant which began operation in 1986; (2) a visit to Unit 4 a l VVER-1000plantnowunderconstruction;and(3)discussionsaboutthetwo  !

t j VVER-440 reactors which began operation in 1980 and 1981. Discussions

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f focused on various operational safety features of Unit 3 additional f safety features planned for Unit 4 and the fact that a fifth unit is now f planned for the site. f In all meetings and visits, Chairman Zech and his Soviet colleagues, , {

including those that met him at the nuclear power stations and other j j installations, emphasized the importance of a strong connitment to safety {

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5 nuclear power plants. The two sides noted that while there are some differences in designs and safety viewpoints betwen the countries, both are cosuitted to safe operation of their civilian nuclear power plants.

The two sides agreed that safe operation of today's reactors is a key I factor in the future worldwide use of nuclear power.

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6 Both countries look forward to continued enhancements of safety through greater understanding of each other's approaches and to making further improvements in the safety of their respective plants. ,

Considering the scale of the programs being conducted in the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. in nuclear power, the planned cooperation will be important from '

the standpoint of improvement of nuclear safety of reactors of U.S. and Soviet design.

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Lando W. Zech. .

Alexander Protsenko Chainnan. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Chairman of the U.S.S.R.

Comission State Conailttee on the for the U.S. Utilization of Atomic Energy q

for the U.S.S.R.

5 Moscow. August 31, 1988 Appendices I

1. U.S. Nuclear Safety Delegation

2. U.S.S.R. Nuclear Safety Delegation I

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REPRINT Appendix 1 U.S. Nuclear Safety Delegation to U,$.S.R.

August 1988 Lando W. Zech, Jr., Chairman, Nuclear Regulatory Cornission (NRC). Head of Delegation.

NRC Representativy Dennis K. Rathbun, Executive Assistant to Chairmsn Zech T. Patrick Gwynn, Technical Assistant to Chairman Zech Linda E. Portner, Special Assistant to Chairr.an Zech Harold Denton, Director Office of Governmental and Public Affairs (GPA)

Senior Advisor to Joint Coordinating Comittee for Civilian Nuclear Reactor Safety (JCCCNRS)

James Taylor, Deputy Executive Director for Operations U.S. Co-Chairman of the JCCCNRS James Snierek, Deputy Director. Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Themis Speis Deputy Director for Generic Issue Resolution, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research Edward Jordan. Director, Office of Analysis and Evaluation of Operational Data James Shea, Director, International Programs, GPA, US Executive Secretary of JCCCNRS Departrent of Energy Representatives Sol Rosen, Director, International Nuclear Program Division, Office of Nuclear Energy ,

Murray Schulman, Executive Assistant for Health and Environment Research, Office of Energy Research Andrew Reynolds, Peaceful Uses Agreement Executive Secretary, Office of International Research and Development Policy Harvin Goldman, University of California (under contract to DOE)

Department of State Representative Theodore Wilkinson, Director. Office of Nuclear Energy Technology, Bureau of Oceans and International " ve' ental and Scientific Affairs

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U.S. Embassy. Moscow Representative .

John Ward, Science Counselor  ;

Interpreters ,

Joseph Lewin I.

Igor Rosak i

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, PROTOCOL OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE JOINT US-USSR JOINT COORDINATING Com!TTEE FOR CIVILIAN NUCLEAR REACTOR SAFETY The first meeting of the US-USSR Joint Coordinating Consoittee for Civilian Nuclear Reactor Safety (JCCCNRS), established in accordance with the Memorandum of Cooperation in the Field of Civilian Nuclear Reactor Safety between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics of April 26, 1988, was held in Moscow, USSR on August 22 to 24 and 31, 1988.

The US delegation was headed by James M. Taylor Deputy Enecutive Director for Operations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The USSR delegation to the JCCCNRS was headed by N.N. Ponomarev-Stepnoy, First Deputy Of rector of the Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy. A list of the members of both delegations and advisors is appended hereto (AppendicesIandII).

The JCCCNRS meeting in Moscow was, opened and addressed by the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Cosmission, Lando W. Zech, Jr., by the First Deputy Chaiman of the USSR State Concnittee on the Utilization of Nuclear Power, B.A. Semenov, and the First Deputy Chairman of the USSR State Connittee for Safety Supervision of Nuclear Power Operations, V.A. Sidorenko.

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PROPOSED AREAS FOR COOPERATION Ten possible areas for cooperation in the field of civilian nuclear reactor safety were identified during the Meeting of the US-USSR Joint Comittee on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy in l

Washington in April 1988. In order to prepare for the first meeting of the JCCCNRS, the Co-Chairmen exchanged preliminary materials on the indicated topics. At this first meeting of the JCCCNRS. both sides '

t provided infonnation on the status of work and proposals of programs of '

joint work on each of these ten topics. It was agreed to formulate specific programs of work for 1989 in several of the areas considered as high priority and to agree on more general proposals for later work in

{ 1990. These programs of work will be circulated for the review and i

approval of both governments and for review and approval by the Joint  ;

American-Soviet Comittee on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy at its next meeting in Moscow in the spring of 1989.

l In accordance with the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in the Field [

i of Civilian Nuclear Reactor Safety between the US and USSR. signed in i Washington, D.C. on April 26, 1988, the JCCCNRS will adhere to paragraph i i 3.5 with regard to foms of cooperation at a government level and to paragraphs 3.6 and 4 of that MOC with regard to participation by i

, consnercial organizations and other parties in pursuit of the purposes of l

the MOC.

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The JCCCNRS considers that its Co-Chairmen must be kept advised of ,

all activities perfomed under this MOC. and both parties agree that c exchanged materials will be provided via the Co-Chairmen of the respective '

i countries.

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1. SJ,l y *.c j q. 1es and Reculatory practices The US led the discussion with an overview of US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) activities to establish, implement, and enforce the US civilian reactor safety program. The activities described included, among others, the quality assurance program, general design criteria for nuclear facilities, the process for review and issuance of licenses for nuclear facilities, and programs for inspection and enforcement of the safety regulations.

The USSR turned the discussion towards future cooperative efforts. A >

program of work for 1989 was proposed consisting of:

i 1.1 Heasures on improving regulatory activity based on results of i

operational experience of nuclear power plants and based on inspections.

Group meetings once each year, to be held in each country alternately.

t First meeting in US April - May 1989. Subsequent meeting in USSR in 1990. Date to be agreed upon later.

1.2 Developing an understanding of the methods used to ensure adherence to design and operational requirements and specifications through an exchange of inspectors at one or more sites in operation for an agreed ,

l upon period in 1989. Details to be worked out by both parties and be agreed upon at April - May 1989 group meeting in US. Appropriate inspection procedures and information to be exchanged beforehand, i

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2. Analysis of the Safety of Nuclear Power Plants in the USSR and the US:

The USSR presented its proposals in this area. Their presentation was followed by the USNRC's description of the methodology and analyses it currently uses for safety assessments in the US. The USDOE then reviewed the analyses it has performed to date on the safety characteristics of the VVERs. The discussion then turned to future cooperation. It was agreed that this topic was high priority to both sides and a proposed program of work for 1989 was worked out for review and approval. This program will consist of:

2.1 Exchange of completed analyses of the level of safety of design of power units at Zaporozhe Nuclear Power Plant and the South Texas Nuclear Power Plant. Following study of these analyses, questions and comments would be exchanged. Working group to meet to explain selected safety important differences. The co-leaders (US and USSR) of the working group would develop and recontend further safety assessment work to the JCCCNRS for approval.

Group meeting - twice each year; the first meeting to be in April - May 1989 in US.

2.1.1 A seminar on the results of the US DOE's analysis of features of Soviet designed VVER's will be held in the USSR during hovember 1988.

2.2 Topics and directions for safety research. Seminars once each year.

The first seeinar in November 1988 in USSR concurrently with 2.1.1 seminar.

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I 2.3 In late 1989, conduct a joint meeting of operations and safety emperts to explore and discuss our countries' uses of Probabilistic Risk Assessment techniques in the enhancement of operational safety. This will be correlated with Topic 1.1.

Meeting of work groups 2.1, 2.3, and 8.2 will be held in USSR late in .

1989. Time and place will be detemined later.

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3. Radiation Embrittlement of the Housino and Support Structures and v

Annealing of the Housings The USSR led with a description of the scope of its research on radiation

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embrittlement of the housings at VVER's, and thermal annealing to repair ,

the damage from embrittlement. The US followed with a presentation on US q

irradiation effects program underway relative to materials, compositions,  !

microstructures, specimen types, reactor environments, etc., and I-regulatory programs for the control of t % rittlement. A program of work

• was proposed for 1989 consisting of:

3.1) Mechanisms and modeling of radiation embrittlement - an exchange of information on the effects of chemical composition, f'vence and i 1rradiation temperature on embrittlement. Findin,*,5 from fine-scale }

metallography are most important. Emphasis should be in light water 1

reactor (LWR) materials and operating conditions. Seminar with exchange I of information beforehand. Seminar in US April - M:,y 1989, i l

{ 3.2) Annealing of LWR vessels - an exchange of information on:  !

(1) research results on optimum temperature for recovery of embrittlement ,

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and reduction of embrittlement rate (2) engineering studies of annealing i procedures, measurement of results and practical problems, and (3) results i

on thermal annealing of large pressure vessels, including the effect of l

annealing on the reeabrittlement rate. Methods, procedures, and design f details for the equipment and methods used to anneal large pressure vessels. Seminar with exchange of information beforehand. Seminar in US April - May 1989.

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3.3) A prospective program plan for 1990 was also proposed to include:

a) Application of radiation embrittlement and system studies to the regulation of reactor pressure vessel integrity. An exchange of information on pressurized thermal shock (PTS) scenarios, experimental and theoretical studies of thermohydraulics and linear-elestic and elastic-plastic fracture mechanics analyses of embrittled vessels, and research results done to verify the procedures used.

b) Examine proposal for more extensive cooperation on topic three, 7

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4. Fire Safety The US began the discussion with a review of the design basis developed for fire protection and prevention features used in US plants. The US presentations also addressed the methods for safe shutdown of a plant during a single fire, fire risk studies and tire research tests. The USSR reviewed its programs und identified proposed artss fo! further cooperation in improvir.g fire prevention systems n.id crganizational and  ;

control methods for fire safety. Areas of ;ooperation in6ude:

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.1 Exchange of infomation on the effects of byd, ogen concentration levels on the propagation of flames, maximum expected pressure following an explosion, and the rate of hvirogen rei ase in containnent following a severe core damage accident. ,/,

.2 Exchange of inforntion en the conb 4stion processes of hydrogen-containing vapor-sas mixtures in 1r o ,, ses (e.g.

centsinrents)

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.3 Exchange of inforration on cPrabilities of electrical cable to withstand fire, and design of cable renetration through bulkhenus.

4 Exchange of inforw.ation on methods for fighting large fires under high radiatio 9 conditions for extended periods of tine.

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.5 Exchange of inferration on fire suppression systems, ventilation sy stems to p- ect the control roce environre' t 'rce ciierval fire.

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.6 Exchange of infomation on fire-protection coating for structural 1

steel.

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.1 Regulatory criteria and standards, and their bases, for the required l 1evel of fire protection at nuclear power plants. This topic would include fire-related Probabilistic Risk Assessment-based analyses for a US '

plant. ,

.2 Establish discussions and exchange on math atical modeling of fire propagation and combustion product release in a typical nuclear power plant.

Working group to meet and discuss topics 4.1.1 through 4.1.6 in April - May in US with infomation exchange beforehand.

Working group to meet and discuss topic 4.2.1 and 4.2.2 in late 1989 in the USSR, with infomation exchange beforehand, i

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5. Modernization /Backfitting The US led the discussion with a view towards obtaining a mutual understanding of the general approaches and processes used in evaluating what additional safety improveaents should be made to existing nucloar ,

power plants. The USSR responded outlining their efforts in this area.

Both sides agreed to the following cooperation:

a) A joint seminar for information exchange will be held in late 1989 to discuss:

1) Identification of the design bases against which improvements are compared.

2) The criteria used to determine the need for modernization /backfitting.

3) Methods used to improve equipment reliability.

Information exchange beforehand b) If deemed necessary, a followup meeting will be held in 1990.

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6. Severe Accidents The US led the discussion with an overview of the USNRC activities in several areas of severe accident research including severe accident precursors, phenomena, challenges to various containments USNRC policy on severe accidents and accident management. The USSR presentation focussed on proposed areas of cooperation noting, among others, the usefulness of-exchanges of information in the area of hydrogen safety and control and the interaction of moiten fuel with concrete, formation and propagation of aerosols, and numerical models of processes during development of severe accidents. Both sides agreed that these areas covered the important issues associated with severe accidents.

Meetings in 1989 6.1a) Core damage, release and transport of fission products from the fuel, primary system and containment.

b) Formation and propagation of iodine.

c) Filtration and venting during severe accident Group meeting April - May, 1989; US; Information exchange beforehand 6.2a) Dominant accident initiators and phenomena associated with severe accidents.

b) Core-concrete interaction.

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October,1989; USSR, Leningrad. Information exchange beforehand.

Group meeting and participation in international conference "Fiftieth Anniversary of the Discovery of Fission;" USSR, Leningrad; October 1989; special session on safety problems.

6.3 International seminar on hydrogen safety; February 1989; USSR Bakuriani; US participants will be invited. Group meeting and participati'an in this seminar, 9 f 9

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7. Health effects and environmental protection considerations.

The USSR led the discussion of the aspects of cooperation which they believed were the most promising for protection of health and the environcant. The US followed with a discussion of its rules, standards and practices pertaining to radiation protection, environmental monitoring and emergency preparedness.

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It was agreed that there are five subtepics of importance to the health t

and environmental issues. It was further agreed that four of these should 3 be addressed through the formation of four working groups. The five subtopics are:

l l 1 - Environmental Transport 2 - Health Effects i 3 - Radiation Biology Research l

4 - Ecological Effects l

5 - Criteria for Radiation Protection and for Nuclear Facility Siting For 1989 it is proposed that the Environmental Transport and Health Effects working groups begin their activities and that in 1990 the Radiation Biology Research and Ecological Effects working groups begin a

their task. The fifth subtopic will be deferred at this time and will be

, addressed later. The 1989 meeting will be tentatively planned for mid-year in Kiev, USSR, 13

1) Environmental Transport Plan and begin a cooperative environmental transport and monitoring information exchange. This will include selected parts of data base on the radiation situation in the environment in the USSR and other countries after the Chernobyl nuclear plant accident and the validation of USSR and -

US models on the atmospheric and terrestral radionuclide transport. An important goal is to verify models which can rapidly forecast radionuclide plume distribution, deposition and potential committed doses.

2) Health Effects Cooperate in the design of a detailed protocol to conduct studies of possible late radiation effects on populations exposed. US assistance will be provided for computerizing data base management and analysis.

Studies should be planned to include a long tern followup and will include incidence of caneers, congenital defects, and genetic effects. Also included is a review of earlier accomplished studies on the radiobiological effects on populations of Chernobyl experience for diagnosis, treatment, and management of heavily irradiated persons.

3) Radiation Biology Research A joint study and information exchange is proposed to develop and validate specific means of measuring radiation damage and doses to cells. Included are relevant studies on molecular mechanisms of effects and their relation to both acute and late health effects in exposed populations.

4. Ecological Effects The consequences of large releases of radioactive materials and chemicals from nuclear power plant accidents should be studied in animals and 14 l

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- plants. The data from Chernobyl should be used to develop and validate models of ecological impact and recovery. l 1

5. The concept of developing criteria for radiation protection and for

' ear facility siting will be discussed by both sides at the next

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meeting of the Joint Committee. Included in this topic will be planning l for a joint seminar on radiation safety and severe accidents.

Furthermore, consideration will be given to the design and operation of automated radiation early warning systems, and to the time of a Soviet ,

specialist's visit to one or two US nuclear facilities with available above mentioned systems.

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8. Exchange of Operational Experience The USSR led the discussion with its proposals for joint seminars and exchanges of information to develop criteria for evaluation of safe operations, information systems to handle operational experience data from plants, methods for understanding events and applying this knowledge to identify precursors of dangerous accidents. They also addressed the work of power plant personnel and their interaction with automatic control systems.

The USNRC discussed US government and industry programs to collect, assess and feedback operational experience to US reactor facilities. They described the improvements do operational performance which the US industry has made in the last four years and discussed specific examples of experience feedback in which foreign experience had been beneficial.

A joint program of work was proposed consisting of:

8.1 Conducting a seminar in April or May 1989 in the US to:

Develop an understanding of national data banks structure, search capability and methods of representing information derived from the data banks. The scope of data banks reviewed include component and system level, operational events, and incidents. During the seminar considerations for feedback of relevant operating information and planning for initiating a bilateral exchange of operational experience between US ,

and USSR would be discussed.

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8.2 Conducting a seminar in the' Fall of 1989 in USSR to review and develop criteria .for evaluation of safety of operation, including methods, scope of equipment and safety systems.

Propose future cooperation for 1990 for the next Joint Committee meeting.

Areas discussed included:

a) Hethodology to determine events that may be precursors of severe accidents, b) Criteria for evaluation of safety of operation including methods, scope of equipment, and safety systems.

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9. Diagnostics, Analysis Eouipment and Systems for Supportina Operators The USSR led with a discussion of their existing work on diagnostic and analysis equipment and other expert systems to support operators and other plant personnel. They proposed that future cooperative work be considered ,

et;ncerning, among other things, methods and means for controlling and diagnosing the status of the core and basic engineering equipment in reactors, joint development of analysis equipment for emergency situations, and training systems for nuclear power plant operators.

The US followed with a presentation on various operator support systems and techniques in use in the US including a safety parameter display system, safety system bypass status monitor, vibration monitoring and diagnostic 'echniques.

A program of vork for 1989-1990 was jointly proposed consisting of:

l a) Conducting a workshop late in 1989 in USSR on the analysis of systems of technical diagnostics and development of algorithms for vibration.

l acoustic emission, and other signals.

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b) Conducting a second' workshop in 1990 in US on the use and development of simulators and operator support systems, personnel training, and professional phsiological selection of personnel.

l Further planning in this area would be conducted at the next Comittee meeting.

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10. Erosion / Corrosion Destruction of Piping and Components The US led with a review of the technical bases underlying tha causes of and means for prevention of erosion / corrosion in single and tvo-phase piping systems in nuclear power plants, prediction methodologias and inspection or surveillance programs for erosion / corrosion detection. ,

l The USSR delegation provided a review of their studies in this area and the basic directions of joint studies concerning research on and protection from corro, ion and erosion destruction of piping and equipment of nuclear power plants, including basic and applied research on carbon and stainless steel, zirconium alloys, on water chemistry processes, l corrosion and mechanical properties and an exchange of operational experience.

l The working plan for 1989-1991 shall be reviewed by the working group during the seminar on Topic 2 in November 1988 in the USSR. The workshop l

shall be conducted in the US in April - May 1989.

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Areas of future cooperation include:

a) Exchange of information on prediction methods for determining piping degradation through erosion and/or corrosion, including primary causes, mathematical modeling, experimental verification and prevention.

b) Exchange of information on methods for predicting the location of -

erosion / corrosion degradation and its rate in piping systems and criteria for controlling continued degradation.

c) Exchange of information in developing new corrosion resistant steel for nuclear power plant piping and equipment.

d) Basic research on the mechanism of nodule corrosion and stress corrosion cracking of zirconium alloys.

e) Developing future water chemistry processes and automated programs for calculating corrosion, erosion products output and radiolysis, taking into account physical and structural properties of reactors.

f) Further studies of the mechanism and kinetics of electro-chemical and structural processes at the apex of maximum permissible defects which detemine tha corrosion and mechanical properties of the material, g) Developing automated systems of control of the corrosion condition of nuclearpowerplantequipment(corrosionmonitoring).

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Procedures for Establishing Working Groups and Exchange of Information Prior to Meetings and Seminars Each Co-Chairman will establish working procedures for all working groups established by this protocol. These procedures will address working group composition, its responsibilities and its development of agenda.

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As established in this protocol, information exchanges conducted in advance of meetings and seminars, should be completed as early as possible l l

and in any event no later than sixty days preceeding such meetings or seminars.

DATE OF THE SECOND MEETING OF THE JCCCNRS The JCCCNRS agreed that the second meeting would be held in the fall of 1989 in the U.S. The exact date and place will be determined by correspondence. The parties will exchange materials on cooperation planning for year 1990 and subsequent years as well as suggestions for the agenda of the second JCCCNRS in advance.

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Done in Moscow, USSR on August 31, 1963 in duplicate in the Russian and English languages, both texts being equally authentic.

For the US For the USSR

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f :_ Taylor f .-

James M. Nicolai N. Ponomarev-Stepnoy Co-Chainnan of JCCCNRS Co-Chairman of JCCCNRS l

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L g Appendix 1 Joint Coordinating Comittee for Civilian Nuclear Reactor Safety (JCCCNRS)

, August, 1988 Moscow, U.S.S.R U.S. Representatives Lando W. Zech, Jr., Chairman, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Comunission (NRC)

JCCCNRS Co-Chairman James Taylor, Deputy Executive Director for Operations, NRC, and US Co-Chairman of the JCCCNRS Committee Members Janes Sniezek Deputy Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.

NRC Themis Spels, Deputy Director for Generic Issue Resolution. Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, NRC Edward Jordan. Director, Office of Analysis and Evaluation of Operational Data, NRC Sol Rosen, Director, International Nuclear Program Division Office of Nuclear Energy, Department of Energy (DOE)

Murray Schulman, Executive Assistant for Health and Environment Research, Office cf Energy Research, DOE JCCCNRS Advisors Harold Denton, Director, Office of Governmental and Public Affairs (GPA), NRC (Senior Advisor to JCCCNRS) l

l. James i

Secretary Shea, Directo'rl International Programs, GPA, NRC (U.S. Executive of JCCCNRS Marvin Goldman, Professor of Radiology, University of California (under contract to DOE)

Theodore Wilkinson, Director, Office of Nuclear Energy Technology, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Department of State Andrew Reynolds, Peaceful Uses Agreement Executive Secretary, Office of International Research and Development Policy, DOE

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Dennis X. Rathbun, Executive Assistant to Chainnan Zech, NRC Thomas P. Gwynn, Senior Technical Assistant to Chainnan Zech, NRC Linda E. Portner, Special Assistant for Administration to Chaincan Zech, NRC John X. Ward, Science Counselor, U.S. Embassy, Moscow 1

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V REPRINT Appendix 2 Joint Coordinating Committee for Civilian Nuclear Reactor Safety (JCCCNRS)

August, 1988 '

Moscow, U.S.S.R.

n-U.S.S.R. Representatives

, B. A. Semenov, First Deputy Chairman of the U.S.S.R. State Connittee on

}l the Utilization of Nuclear Power V.A. Sidorenko, First Deputy Chairman of the U.S.S.R. State Committee for - [

Safety Supervision of Nuclear Power Operations JCCCNRS Co-Chairmen N.N. Ponomarev-Stepnoy, Academician, First Deputy Director of the Institute for Nuclear Energy in 1.Y. Kurchatov Committee Members A.T. Gutsalov, Chief, GNTU GAEN (his) Deputy for this meeting -

V.N. Krushelnitsky, Chief of the GAEN Administration A.A. Abagyan, Director General of NPO "Energiya" (his) Deputy for this meeting - Ye. P. Larin Deputy Director General V.G. Asmolov, Chief of Section, Institute for Nuclear Energy in I.V.

Kurchatov N.I. Yermakov, Chief, Glavatomenergo, GKAE Ye. I. Ignatenko, Chief, GNTU MAE of the USSR Committee Counselors L. A. 11'in, Academician, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR (his)

Deputy for this meeting - L.A. Buldakow, Deputy Director of IBF ,

8.A. Kuvshinnikov, Deputy Chief of UMNTS GKAE of the USSR .

Y.K. Sukhoruchkin, Senior Scientist Institute of Nuclear Energy in I.V.

Kurchatov l

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I REPRINT MEMORANDUM 0F COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF CIVILIAN NUCLEAR REACTOR SAFETY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS

. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), as the representative for the USA, and the USSR State Committee for the Utilization of Atomic Energy (SCUAE), as the representative for the USSR, hereinafter referred to as the "Parties," desiring to establish close and long-term cooperation in the field of civilian nuclear reactor (CNR) safety:

Noting that fruitful cooperation on civilian nuclear reactor safety can enhance the safety of civilian power in the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 3 of the Agreement between the United States of America and Union of Soviet Soc'alist Republics on Scientific and Technical Cooperation in the Fie'd of Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, signed on June 21, 1973; as ament ed, [hereafter "Peaceful Uses Agreement"]; and in accordance with the objn tives outlined in discussions on this subject between the two countr'es in August 1986 March 1987 and October 1987; Have agreed as follows; L _ _ __ _ _ _ __________________ ___ __ _ _____.________ _ _.____.____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ . _ _ _

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Article !

The purpose of this Memorandum is to establish an arrangement for .

I coo;ieration in the field of civilian nuclear reactor safety (CNRS) in furtherance of the Peaceful Uses Agreement in order to increase civilian l 1

nuclear reactor safety, and to improve the methods and practices of I regulatory activity with regard to CNR's operated by the Parties of this memorandum.

Cooperation under this Memorandum shall be carried out as agreed on the basis of mutual benefit, equality and full reciprocity between the Parties.

Article II 1

1 The areas of cooperation under this memorandum will be as follows:

1. Policy and practices of regulatory activity regarding safety -

of civilian nuclear reactors (CNRs); ,

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, 2. Problems of safety in design, construction, training, operation and management of CNRs;

3. Research directed at improving the safety of CNRs; and l

4. Questions on health effects and environmental protection requirements arising from the use of CNRs.

5. For purposes of this Memorandum, CNRs can include nuclear reactor plants for civilian electric power generation, district heating, process heating, and other associated technologies as may be agreed to by both Parties.

i Article !!!

1. In order to implement this Memorandum, there shall be established a Joint Coordinating Committee for Civilian Nuclear Reactor Safety (JCCCNRS).

2. The JCCCNR$ shall consist of an equal number (6) of representatives from each party. All decisions taken by the JCCCNRS shall be reachc1 by agreement of the Parties.

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3. The JCCCNRS will coordinate and review all aspects of this ,-

Memorandum and shall take such action as is appropriate for its effective implementation.

4. The JCCCNRS will present its' proposed programs, together with any recommendations for amendaents if needed to add such programs to the Memorandum, for review and approval by the Joint Soviet-American

. Committee on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, established under the Peaceful Uses Agreement, in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Parties.

5. The JCCCNRS may organize, establish and arrange working groups, conferences and seminars of specialists for joint discussion and study of specific topics related to civilian nuclear reactor safety (ChRS) or its regulation and may also review and connent on the reports of such working groups, conferences and seminars. Specific projects and programs for '

nuclear safety cooperatien, exchanges of scientific and technical safety information, personnel and equipment, and procedures for addressing and resolving questions of such matters as payment of costs under this cooperation, and patent / publications rights for joint activities administered under the Memorandum, may be developed separately by the a JCCCNRS, in accordance with laws and regulations of the Parties.

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, 6. The JCCCNRS may assist in arranging transactions between or among organizations within or outside this arrangement for services contracted on a commercial basis, in accordance with national laws and regulations of the Parties.

7. Consistent with Article 1, such other forms of cooperation ,

as the JCCCNRS recomends to its respective Governments may be added by agreement of the Parties.

8. The JCCCNRS will decide on its membership and meeting schedule.

Generally, it will be convened once a year, alternately in the United States and the Soviet Union, unless agreed otherwise. Times and places for meetings will be agreed upon in advance.

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6 Article IV ,

1. This cooperation may be conducted according to plans and programs of the following principal establishments and organizations as agreed to by the Parties in writing pursuant to Article 3.5:

-- In the United States of America:

the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; the Department of Energy; national laboratories, academies, and institutes as appropriate; and other government departments and nuclear industry establishments and/or organizations as appropriate.

-- In the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics:

the State Committee for Utilization of Atomic Energy:

the Ministry of Atomic Energy; the State Committee for Supervision of Safety in the Nuclear Power Industry; and other ministries, organizations institutes as appropriate.

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2. Each Party may unilaterally adjust the list of its establishments and organizations participating in this cooperation, i'

and will inform the other Party of any such adjustments.

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i Article V

1. Cooperation under this Memorandum will be conducted in accordance with the respective international obligations, national laws and regulations of the parties, and within the limits of available funds, on the basis of the fullest possible reciprocity in ters.s of equal access to facilities, infonnation and personnel on both sides.

2. Any questions of interpretation snd implementation relating to this Memorandum that arise during the period it is in force will be decided by agreement of the Parties.

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Article VI .

1. This Memorandum will enter into force upon signature, will remain in force for five (5) years, and is subject to extension of additional five (5) year terms by written agreement of the Parties following joint revkw at the end of each five-year period.

2. All joint projects and experiments being conducted when the effective period of this Memorandum ends will, if agreed, be continued to their conclusion on accordence with the tems of this Memorandum.

3. Either Party has the right to withdraw from this Memorandum of Cooperation on six (6) months' written notice.

DONE at Washington, D.C. on the twenty-sixth of April 1988, in the English and Russian languages, both texts being equally authentic.

FOR THE U.S. NUCLEAR

FOR THE USSR STATE REGULATORY C0mlSS10N C0mlTTEE FOR THE .

UTILIZATION OF ATONIC ENERGY I

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