Kalinin NPP has completely digitized the archive of technical documentation

2024: Translation into electronic format of technical archive

(JSC Kalinin Nuclear Power Plant Concern branch) Rosenergoatom transferred the technical archive into electronic format, which includes all design, working and as-built documentation. Data are loaded into the automated technical documentation management system (APCS) and are available to employees of the enterprise for even more efficient and secure management of operational processes. The volume of digitized data amounted to 7 terabytes or 4 million sheets of technical documentation in A4 format. Digitization was carried out on the basis of the domestic AI platform. Beorg Smart Vision This was announced Biorg by "" on July 19, 2024.

The main task of such a tool as an electronic archive is to consolidate data and competencies obtained at all stages of the life cycle of a nuclear power plant into a single repository. And also provide quick access to this data directly from the workplaces of employees. For example, such information is strictly mandatory when carrying out any repair and modernization work. Together with other automation and control measures, the electronic archive allows achieving an even higher level of safety of NPP operation, "explained Sergei Molotov, deputy chief engineer of the Kalinin NPP.

The project for digitizing technical documents and the formed digital archive is part of the "Operation Template" strategy NPP to ensure the best practices for accident-free operation of nuclear power plants Russia in and in the world.

The recognition and quality control of digitized technical documents, including handwritten forms and drawings, was carried out on the basis of the domestic digital platform Beorg Smart Vision. The solution combines an AI module for recognition and a crowdsourcing module for marking and verification of data, which allows you to guarantee the quality of digitized data above 99%.

We processed almost 50 percent of the documentation using an AI recognition and quality control system. I had to recognize, among other things, drawings, stamps and seals. Dilapidated documents made on tracing paper were digitized manually, using the company's unique competencies for working with this type of documentation. Each scanned drawing received an index file with detailed information about what kind of document it is, when it was made and what other documents it is associated with. It is enough for the employee to enter a simple query to obtain all the necessary data for the current task. At the same time, you do not need to contact the physical archive, spending several hours on this operation, - said Ilya Verigin, Biorg director for work with state authorities.

The speaker notes that machine-readable information and the development of artificial intelligence technologies are the main factors for the transition to data-based development management, the formation of production and technological processes and their effective management.

Based on the best practices of digitalization, specialists of Concern Rosenergoatom JSC independently develop, and also use solutions already existing in the domestic market, including those based on AI, for the needs of the corporation.

2021: Technical Archive Digitization Plan

On December 15, 2021, Biorg announced that it would digitize the technical archive of the Kalinin Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), the scope of work was more than 3 million sheets. The accumulated digital data will be transferred to the unified technical documentation management system of Rosenergoatom and will allow to effectively replicate the best practices of accident-free operation of nuclear power plants.

Each scanned drawing will have its own index file containing detailed data on what kind of document it is, when it was made and what other documents it is associated with. This will make it much easier for specialists to find information in the system when they carry out routine prevention, repairs, and prevent potential incidents. It will be enough for the employee to enter a simple request to get all the necessary documents.

The works are carried out at the NPP site in compliance with all Rosatom safety standards for admission of contractors to the territory of control facilities.

Drawing processing is carried out using AI-technologies of recognition and quality control. On the basis of our platform, for the first time, we will bulk upload electronic documents to the automated technical documentation management system (APCS) in the format it provides for, with all the indices and attributes necessary for searching, "said Ilya Verigin, Biorg Director for State Customers.

A number of difficulties have to be overcome in the process. For example, some of the drawings are already in a fairly dilapidated state, made on tracing paper and can be safely scanned only with protective envelopes and on special equipment - large-format scanners with CCD matrices, which read the image directly without distortion, and do not stitch together from three images taken in different spectra. The cost of one such device is from 1 to 2 million rubles.

Kalinin station is the second in Russia to launch a project to digitize documents. The obtained electronic data is part of the strategy of the "NPP Operation Template," the purpose of which is, among other things, to ensure the accumulation of experience gained at all stages of the NPP life cycle, from design to decommissioning. This is a strategy to ensure the best practices for accident-free operation of nuclear power plants in Russia and in the world, - said Sergei Molotov, deputy chief engineer for production and technical support and quality of the Kalinin NPP.

Access to electronic technical documentation will be another step towards improving the safety of NPP operation along with the high qualification of plant employees, regulations, automation and incident control systems using machine vision.