During rated power operation, an automatic reactor shutdown occurred due to signal of "Neutron Flux High". As a result of investigation, it was estimated that since fastening of the rotation preventing pin had been insufficient, which had been attached at the connecting part of between a valve poppet and a valve stem in one of the 8 main steam isolation valves (MSIVs). This pin was damaged by vibration caused from steam flow and detached pilot- and main poppets plugged the main steam line causing increased reactor pressure which resulted in "Neutron Flux High". There was no release of radioactive materials outside the reactor facility. Also there was no unplanned occupational exposure of employees working under radiation. BASIS FOR RATING: The occurrence probability of detachment of poppet from a main steam isolation valve is considered being the same as inadvertent closure of an MSIV due to malfunction. Then a real initiator of expected frequency can be assumed for this event. Thus rating of this event by INES resulted in a level-0 using the defence-in-depth criterion. DIFFICULTIES IN RATING: Definition of occurrence frequency of an initiator like such a new event was rather difficult.
Jan vd Putte quickly changed from dressing as the pied piper at the protest during the IAEA nuclear power conference to warn for the Russian nuclear power conglomerate Rosatom and its role in Ukraine.
Anke Herold, Executive Director Oeko-Institut, Freiburg (Germany), in Brussels about the claim to triple nuclear by 2050: IPCC scenarios vs forecast development of nuclear.
Yesterday, the ANVS, the Dutch nuclear supervisor, authorized the transport of up to six shipments of fissile enriched uranium from Russia to Urenco in Almelo. This is remarkable because after the Russian invasion, almost two years ago, the uranium-enriching state-owned company in Almelo claimed to be "very concerned" about developments in Ukraine and therefore "stopped […]
[The Guardian]: "As nuclear plant is hit by further delay, real cost will be far higher after inflation is included, as project uses 2015 prices. The owner of Hinkley Point C has blamed inflation, Covid and Brexit as it announced the nuclear power plant project could be delayed by a further four years, and cost […]
From WNN: In 2022, 13 EU countries with nuclear electricity production generated 609,255 GWh of nuclear electricity - down 16.7% compared with 2021, according to figures released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. It noted this is the lowest level registered in the period from 1990, the first year for which comparable […]