Nuclear materials

In 1996, 39 inspections of nuclear materials were performed, 22 of them performed in co-operation with IAEA inspectors. The main content of common inspections with IAEA was the inspection of both fresh and spent fuel in Bohunice NPPs and Mochovce NPPs. During 1996 there were 420 spent fuel assemblies transported from the V-1 and V-2 NPPs units to the interim spent fuel storage and 396 spent fuel assemblies were transported to the Dukovany NPP. Current state of stored spent fuel in the interim spent fuel storage is 4656 fuel assemblies, 4050 of them are Bohunice NPPs assemblies and 606 of them are fuel assemblies which belong to Dukovany NPP. There are 128 spent fuel assemblies stored in A-1 NPP, which are placed in cases of the long-term storage. Inspections of fresh fuel storage in the V-1, V-2 and Mochovce NPPs were performed, as well as spent fuel inspections in the A-1 NPP and in the interim spent fuel storage in Bohunice. From the outcomes of inspections resulted, that the limits and conditions, operating procedures and conditions of nuclear safety were not violated in any ease. There was no extraordinary event at above mentioned equipment during the 1996 and the equipment was reliably operated. NRA SR performed during 1996 eight inspections focused on safety protection of nuclear equipment and nuclear materials, and no significant deficiencies, which could resulted in extraordinary events or violation of nuclear safety were found out. Safety of transportation of fresh fuel, spent fuels, and other materials is discussed. NRA SR performed inspection focused on checking transportation readiness each transportation of the spent nuclear fuel. Serious deficiencies were not found out. Suggested system for treatment of radioactive materials caught at illegal trade is described. An attempt to export 3 radioactive sources in consignment of iron scrap to Italy came about in 1996. The NRA SR continued in co-operation with IAEA on updating IAEA database to illegal treatment of radioactive materials