Turnkey CCTV System in Ukraine

Learn how a custom-built surveillance system with video, sound, and temperature monitoring helped enhance nuclear safety at Rivne NPP in Ukraine.

Background / Challenge

Since 2018, Ahlberg cameras has delivered turn-key closed-circuit television system, CCTV, to the Ukraine as follows:

  • Rivne 3
  • Rivne 1
  • Khmelnitskyi 1
  • Rivne 2

Each CCTV system contains about 40 PTZ cameras that are remotely controlled from up to 800m with several workstations from different control rooms. They are controlled by Ahlberg Cameras´s own Video Management System (VMS). The VMS is specially developed for visualization and controlling the systems per reactor including interconnection to other reactor control rooms adding camera systems.

In the framework of implementing the “Complex (Consolidated) Safety Upgrade Program of the Power Units of the Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plants”, the cameras area placed both outside and inside of containments including fire/explosion-hazardous and non-serviceable rooms

The main tasks for the systems were to provide:

  • Early detection of hazardous conditions and faults (steam, smoke, fire and leakage) in the regulated zone during reactor operation. Timely notification of a hazard or failure is essential for correct decision-making by the operators.
  • Video recording allowing retrospective evaluation of critical conditions.
  • An overview of plant staff-controlled access areas.

The areas and equipment of main interest were reactor hall, steam generator room, emergency cooling rooms, valve control room, control room of MCP electric drives, hydro accumulator rooms, and compensator room.

Our Solution

Gamma and neutron radiation tolerant cameras with active cooling were chosen for the locations the plant had pointed out. Ahlberg specialists had to design a system that, in addition to visual surveillance, could also perform audio, temperature, and thermographic monitoring. Our unique VMS was developed in which audio and temperature features were incorporated.

The deliveries included:

  • Gamma and neutron radiation tolerant PTZ cameras with active cooling for 24/7 operation, both mobile and fixed
  • Powerful LED spotlights, Robust Pan &Tilt unit with memory positions
  • Sound recording, including automatic detection of values above threshold
  • Non-contact temperature measurement (IR) of objects in the camera field, including automatic detection of values above threshold
  • Several workstations with VMS
  • Control room VMS with sound and temperature monitoring
  • Infrastructure for interconnection between control rooms of two reactors

Conclusion

With the installation of the monitoring system, the level of nuclear and operational safety has increased. The number of unplanned shutdowns due to unexpected failures is also considered to have been minimized.

During the trial operation of the CCTV, manufactured by Ahlberg Cameras AB, installed at RNPP unit 3, there were no major comments on equipment operation. Some minor failures which periodically appeared in the equipment operation were properly and timely removed due to the smooth cooperation of Ahlberg Cameras AB and SE Rivne NPP.