On the 21st of January 2019 a well-logging geophysical probe containing 239 GBq activity 241-Am-Be sealed source was dropped to the bottom of a1800 m deep well near Pecs city, Hungary. The cause of the event was the break of the probe head due to material failure. The measurements of the drilling sludge, the well and the vicinity of the wellhead showed no traces of 241-Am contamination indicated that the source remained intact. The break of the probe head was in such a place that the available emergency probe retrieving equipment (overshot assembly) and procedure could not be used immediately. The successful retrieval of the sealed source was only possible on the 06th of February 2019 using a modified retrieval technology based on the approval and oversight of the regulatory body with the involvement of a subcontractor licensed for such an activity. According to the first results of the measurements and the in-filed inspections, the sealed source was safely recovered and no indication of radioactive material release into the environment was found.
Last year, the Dutch Province of Limburg started an alliance in which, besides the local government, research institutes, small nuclear reactor (SMR) developers, utilities, industrial customers and funders cooperated. With this "Limburg SMR alliance" Limburg tried to lead the way towards an SMR in Limburg. The preferred site for a first SMR would be Chemelot, […]
From the IPFM: During a visit to the Civaux nuclear power plant on 18 March 2024, France's Minister of the Armed Forces unveiled a plan to use the plant to produce tritium for the French nuclear weapons program. Civaux is a civilian power plant that belongs to and is operated by Electricité de France. According […]
An analysis by the Norwegian NGO Bellona of transborder trade operations with the customs code 840130 (irradiated fuel assemblies or fuel elements) show a more than twofold increase of import to EU countries of fresh nuclear fuel in cash terms – from 280 million Euros in 2022 to 686 million Euros in 2023. In physical […]
The French government has said it is "seriously" studying the option of building a plant to convert and enrich reprocessed uranium to cut its reliance on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. The only plant in the world that currently converts reprocessed uranium for use in nuclear power plants is in Russia. "The option of […]
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.
