About 60 fixed and five mobile autonomous remote sensors distributed around the site monitor gamma radiation or certain (unnamed) chemical compounds in real time. They transmit readings to a central receiving station via radio antenna, which links them to a wide area radio system.
Signals from chemical sensors are integrated into the monitoring network via a universal telemetry platform. A 13-node extension to the system was under way in January 2013.
Data received can also be quickly shared with the Russian government’s regional ministry for emergencies. This short-range monitoring network connects to other nuclear and non-nuclear highly-significant facilities in the region via a long-range (100 km) data network.
The Zheleznogorsk system (shown below) was installed in phases starting from 2010. Some sensors and the network were supplied by Genitron Instruments, a subsidiary of Saphymo. Other partners include Ishevsk State Technical University and Soyuzatompribor. The system complements radioactive and pollutant monitoring around other areas of the plant (see table). A similar system was supplied to the Chepetsk Mechanical Plant, Glasov, Udmurtia, and also the Kursk, Kalinin and Balakovo nuclear power plants in Russia.
