BARILOCHE, ARGENTINA

HUMAN RESOURCES TRAINING IN A

NEW RESEARCH REACTOR

By: Eduardo Villarino / men@invap.com.ar

Nuclear Engineering Department / Nuclear Projects Division
 Introduction
The successful and safe operation of a new Research Reactor
depends on:

• Proper design of the facility

• safety,
• security,
• maintenance,
• easy operation

• Proper qualification and training

of the research reactor staff
• operators,
• maintenance staff,
• support groups

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 Technology Transfer
• Training of the operational staff starts with a proper transfer
of technology of the new facility.

• Exceeds the sole purchase of a

technological good.

• Transfer knowledge, skills and

methodologies involved in the whole
production cycle.

• To succeed, clear objectives need

to be established.

• To satisfy them defined procedures

need to be used.
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 Transfer Objectives
• Ensure safe operation of the facility.
• Enable to have a deep understanding of the underlying
technology features
technology, features, characteristics and limitations of the
nuclear facility.
• Ensure that the operator has appropriate knowledge to carry
out maintenance and repairs of the facility.

• Allow for the facility staff to carry out system replacements,

as well as upgrading, and refurbishing.

• Technology transfer through

design, engineering, and software
documentation to support the
capabilities acquired through the
previous objectives.
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 Transfer Areas
Management Areas:

o General Management,
Management
o Project Management,
o Project Scope and Time Management,
o Project Cost Management,
o Project Quality Management,
o Planning,
o Organization,
o Supervision
Supervision,
o Licensing,
o Technology Transfer
o Risk Management

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 Transfer Areas
Technical
T h i lA Areas:
 Nuclear and reactor physics
 Radioisotope production technologies
 Thermal hydraulic (nuclear &process)
 Piping
p g analysis
y
 Electrical, I&C
 Structural analysis and design
 Nuclear
N l ffuell performance
f
 Containment systems design
 Environmental qualifications of
equipment and systems
 Safetyy analysis
y methods, PSA
 Radiation and shielding design
 Human factors engineering principles

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 Transfer Procedures
• The transference of know-how is part of the training.
• To reinforce the capabilities and skills of the staff to be an
effective contributor to the different activities to be carried
out.
• Job participation of the staff working side by side with
INVAP's engineers and experts

Provide licenses of INVAP developed

engineering calculation and analysis
software used in the design of facility
facility.

Three main activities:

• Induction,
• Role-specific,
• Ongoing training
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 Induction
To supplement staff education with the
knowledge and skills of aspects of
nuclear technology needed in their roles.
roles

INVAP prepare and supply a complete

induction training package. Instructors
will use it for training further personnel.
• An overview of the fundamental nuclear science.
• An understanding g of the basic design
g and operational
p
characteristics of the facility
• The need to conduct work activities according to applicable
regulations and procedures.

One key element of induction training is

safety culture awareness
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 Role Specific
Allows personnel to acquire the knowledge and ability to
support safe and efficient operations.

A combination of classroom, simulator

and on-the-job
on the job training.

Practical training provides hands-on

experience and allows trainee personnel to become familiar
with facility characteristics and operating routines.

INVAP supplies role-specific training for the first reactor

operation crew and potential instructors.

INVAP prepare training packages that could be used by these

instructors to train further operation crews.
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 On going Training
Ongoing training maintains and enhances personnel
performance and develops a broader scope and depth of
position specific knowledge and skills.
position-specific skills

In addition, with the continuing training, staff stays current with

expectations regarding facility management, modifications,
changes to procedures, operating experience and technical
advances related to its functions.

INVAP foresees to prepare a program for on-going

on going training
and material and PowerPoint presentations to be used for this
type of training.

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 Training for Reactor Operators
Specific
S ifi ttraining
i i ffor th
the accreditation
dit ti off reactor
t operators.
t
Develop knowledge of the plant systems, their function, layout
and operation.
operation

Emphasis
p is p
placed on systems
y important
p
to safety. Maintaining the reactor within the
licensing and design bases
(OLC and d procedures).
d )

• Initial Classroom Training

• Initial Practical Training (RA-6)

“The Operating Organization and the Recruitment,

Training and Qualification of Personnel for
Research Reactors Safety Guide –
Safety Standards Series No. NSNS--G-4.5 “

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 Nuclear Technology
On-the-job Training: embedding part of client personnel in the
INVAP design and project management groups.

The design fields are:

• Neutronic,
• Thermo-hydraulic,
• Safety and Licensing,
• Process,
• Instrumentation and Control,
Control
• Mechanics,
• Project Management

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 Commissioning Training
Reactor Staff
Introduction to the Reactor
Buildings and Structures
Reactor and Service Pools
Shutdown System
P i
Primary C li System
Cooling S t
Secondary Cooling System
Cooling g Related Systems
y
Reactor Protection System
Reactor Control and Monitoring System
Radiation Monitoring System
Irradiation Facilities
Shutters
Services and Utilities
Safety Analysis

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 Resources for Training
Atomic Centers and laboratories.
Agreements with national
Universities for academic degrees

PhD & MSc in:

Physics, Nuclear Engineering,
Materials Science, Nuclear Reactors,
Radiochemistry Mechanical Engineering
Radiochemistry, Engineering,
Nuclear Medicine.

Short Courses in:

Nuclear Medicine, Radio-dosimetry,
Radiotherapy Radiopharmaceuticals

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 Examples
Different Projects:
• NUR, Induction: 1 - 4 Weeks.
• HEU to LEU core conversion Training: 1 - 3 Months
• ETRR-2 On- the-Job: ~ 1 Year
• OPAL Commissioning: 2 2-3
3 Months
• Low Power Research Reactor. Erection & commissioning.

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 Reactor Physics Examples
Training & on the-Job-Training
• NUR (12 Months)
• HEU to LEU core conversion. (18 Months)
• ETRR-2 (12 Months)
• OPAL (2 Months)
M th )
• CAREM Small NPP (2 Months)

• On going Training
• OPAL
• CAREM Small NPP

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 Utilization
Facility experiments

Experiments with neutron beams

R di i t
Radioisotopes production
d ti

Training on reactor operation

Training on radiological protection

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 Conclusions
Several of the new research reactor projects built by INVAP
includes a successfully Transfer of Technology.

• Induction courses: with an overview of the fundamental

nuclear
l science.
i

• Role Specific Training: With practical training and on-the-job

on the job
training.

• Erection and Commissioning Participation.

• Human resources formation: Collaboration with Universities

Universities.

• Licenses of INVAP developed calculation codes.

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Thank you for your attention

Questions?