Russia: the accident at the plant and transport reactors continue
Submitted by Редакция on 6 April, 2011 - 14:03The first after the accident at the plant Fukushima-1 problem occurred on two Russian reactors - can not stop the fourth power unit of the Leningrad nuclear power plant on April 3 and an emergency power reduction reactor nuclear icebreaker Taymyr March 30. Both incidents likely will not have radiological consequences, but information about them on the official websites of the operating organizations is absent. The incident again illustrates the unreliability of the Russian nuclear industry and the inability of Rosatom promptly inform about the problems.Despite assurances from representatives of the Russian nuclear industry, and after the accident at the plant Fukushima-1 Russian nuclear reactors continue to operate reliably. Two of them in the last week has been no "fall of emergency protection." That is the emergency protection (complex rods sinks), is designed to prevent severe accidents.
The first problem occurred after Fukushima two Russian reactors - can not stop the fourth power unit of the Leningrad nuclear power plant on April 3 and an emergency power reduction reactor nuclear icebreaker Taymyr March 30.
Both incidents likely will not have radiological consequences, but information about them on the official websites of the operating organizations is absent. The incident again illustrates the unreliability of the Russian nuclear industry and the inability of Rosatom promptly inform about the problems. Although in itself unplanned shutdown or power of the reactor vessel when it went into normal mode, not an accident, but this event could become an event the predecessor very serious accident.And yet, of course, such unscheduled "stops", "discharge", "reducing capacity" evidence about the unreliability of nuclear technology - in fact, if the reactor is stopped, it does not produce energy and is not fulfilling its primary function. And it always happens for internal reasons - without external influences, without the tsunami. Earthquake, aircraft crash. But could still explode ...
SELA: Could not start the reactor after repairs Situation and Crisis Center of Rosatom morning of April 4 reported on the emergency situation at the Leningrad nuclear power plant: "Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant (director V.Pereguda), the power unit № 4, Sosnovy Bor, Leningrad Oblast - reactor shutdown. Violations of limits and conditions for safe operation were no radiological consequences not. "
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The layout of plants with RBMK reactors in something similar to the Fukushima nuclear power plant
Earlier on April 1, Public Information Center of the Leningrad nuclear power plant informed that "on the block № 4 completes the repairs."
Tonight, members of the Centre of Public Information of the Leningrad nuclear power plant were not available for comment.The official website of the station and Rosenergoatom incident report was not. Nevertheless, it is clear that the reactor of the fourth unit was unable to run after the repair, but how long unscheduled stop is unclear.
Welds are not controlled The fourth unit was placed under an industrial load of 9 February 1981, the opening XXVI Congress of the CPSU.His term of operation of the project expired on Feb. 9, 2011.
Last year, Rostekhnadzor said that there is the problem of justifying the strength and integrity of welded austenitic pipe and the weld does not control:
"For the welds of austenitic piping DN300 RBMK-1000 the question of the validity of operational control should be differentiated according to the methods of operational controls and location of welds (some of them are not controlled).Overall reliability of the control defects depending on the methods of operational control is estimated at between 64-90%, which also indicates the urgency of the problem justify the strength and integrity of welded austenitic pipe DN300.
Under such conditions, the transients due to an unplanned shutdown, causing additional load on the welds and pipelines can lead to a really dangerous situation.Recall that, as mentioned before Bellona.ru not even spent thirty years piping of RBMK reactors of Ignalina nuclear power plant did not survive decontamination, which led to the spill of 300 tons of radioactive liquid.
SELA-Fukushima? Alarming that the number of attributes RBMK-1000 reactor of the Leningrad nuclear power plant are similar to reactors Fukushima. They are of the type "single-circuit boiling" water reactors. But if the reactors were Fukushima hull and as a moderator, they use water instead of graphite.What is an accident on the graphite reactor is well known - it's Chernobyl ... Just as in Fukushima, the SELA and other Russian nuclear power plants with RBMK-reactor spent fuel storage facility for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) has no containment (containment) and in the event of cooling are possible accident at spent fuel pools, similar to what is going on Fukusime.Hotya, tsunamis in the Gulf, it is unlikely in the event of a passenger plane effect for nuclear power plants may be similar.The destruction of the reactor building, damage to spent fuel pools, the failure of cooling systems may lead to a catastrophic scenario.
Emission can cover Petersburg Greenpeace Russia on the basis of the first data on pollution around Fukushima made a forecast for the SELA - a cloud of radionuclides could easily walk to St. Pererbulra, located 80 kilometers from the radiation-dangerous object. Actually, the release of radioactive iodine with SELA already covering Leningrad in 1975.But the details of the accident is still classified.
PR instead of security Especially for Bellona Web commented on the situation, Rashid Alimov, co-chairman of "Eco-restructuring" of St. Petersburg:
"After the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power risks can not be ignored. SELA recently visited members of United Russia. Naturally, they signify that the plant is safe. Incidents such as today, along with unavailability of complete information about what happened, show the situation more eloquent PR trips politicians.
In Fukushima, a significant part of radiation into the environment is not out of the reactor, and from the pools of spent nuclear fuel, when the water evaporated.We know that the SELA, in violation of the rules, station store was sealed - where should hang one assembly, were hanged two. Can the repository of spent nuclear fuel SELA repeat scenario Fukushima? While on this and other issues, including related to the accident with the release of radiation with SELA in 1975 year, none of the officials did not give an answer. "
It is obvious that no matter how many trips were organized to plant pop stars, "ecology" of bloggers, deputies from United Russia "and other" public inspection ", the security of the stations it will not increase.It is a pity that Rosatom do not understand.
Icebreaker reactors are too unreliable Situation and Crisis Center of Rosatom in the morning on March 31 reported on the emergency situation at the atomic icebreaker "Taimyr": "Atomflot (CEO VVRuksha), nuclear icebreaker Taymyr - emergency power reduction. Radiological consequences of not. " Icebreaker reactors are more adapted to the transition process than the nuclear reactors and is likely to emergency power reduction is not a serious incident. Alarming fact that, as in the case of the SELA website operating organization, in this case Atomflot is still no information about this sobytii.V external relations department told Bellona Web call the restaurant said: "Comments we have not yet give ", and promised to call back when they are ready to provide information.So far, no call back and site is not updated.
Reactor icebreakers Taimyr KLT-40. The modification is such a reactor will be installed on a floating nuclear power plant, if from this project will not refuse, as from a dangerous and costly. Greenpeace Russia began collecting signatures for an end to construction, leading to St. Petersburg.
Untimely and incomplete information is dangerous Failure Atomic promptly, accurately and fully provide information on not too serious incident raises questions about whether they really will happen if a radiation accident, quickly and accurately inform the public.I think that overreliance on PR may prevent you from completing it. It is recalled that a sister vessel, icebreaker Vaigach will work in the Gulf near St. Petersburg, at least until April 5.It is hoped that the unpleasant incident on it has not happened and will happen.
Bellona.ru
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