UrBC, Yekaterinburg, June 7, 2016. Uekhk (a member enterprises of Rosatom’s TVEL in Novouralsk) replaced its obsolete automation system AKSU-M with the latest available AKSU-3 uranium enrichment control system, the company press service reports.

The new system now controls fifty-three most important technological stages of uranium enrichment process and ensures control over and emergency protection of the equipment (including synchronization of gas centrifuges and management of interstage and ancillary machinery). The gas centrifuge experimental section, the evaporator systems, and equipment malfunction control are also soon to be managed by AKSU-3.

Sergei Usynin from the company’s metrology lab says the new system’s primary functions were set out as early as the development stage.

‘All the identified weaknesses of the older versions as well as the operators’ feedback and the vast experience of using such control systems at the plant were all taken into account in the process of development, launch, and operation. As a result, the new system cost us less while its technical and functional parameters improved. This is a great quality, reliable equipment control and management system with great potential for development and upgrades, which means we can count on this product’s very long lifecycle,’ Usynin says.