During full power operation, channel B of Reactor Regulating System and channel E of Reactor Protective System were reading less neutron power than other channels. To match with other channels, gain of ion chamber amplifiers of these channels was increased and also manual correction on protective channel E was done. Linear neutron trip set-points from primary shutdown system and secondary shutdown system were decreased. No problem could be found in ion chambers and their associated circuitry. On further investigation during reactor shutdown water was found in ion chamber housing, which caused the low neutron power signal in channel B & E (channel B and Channel E, both ion chambers are in same housing). Justification: Unplanned bulk increase in reactivity could have been the possible initiator. Since no initiator occurred, Table-1 has been used for rating. The safety function availability was full, so the event rating comes to 0. But due to possibility of common cause failure (water ingress into other ion chambers also) the event has been uprated by 1.
The Netherlands has agreed to allow Urenco to be used for the British military nuclear program. This clears the way for uranium enriched by Urenco to be used in nuclear weapons. With his decision, Foreign Minister Berendsen (CDA Christen Democrats) is departing from the principle that civilian and military nuclear applications must remain strictly separate. […]
Behnam Raeesian is an internationally recognized visual artist and poster designer from Iran, known for bold political and cultural works. Through exhibitions, workshops, jury roles, and collaborations with cultural institutions worldwide, he has built a strong voice in contemporary political graphic design. His projects confront complex issues such as nuclear risk and technological impact, transforming […]
Everywhere you look, the nuclear industry’s hype machine is in overdrive. Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, and the UK government all tout small modular reactors as the silver bullet for climate change and energy security. Tech billionaires are hiring nuclear veterans. Wall Street is whispering about “round-the-clock power” for artificial intelligence data centers. For those old enough […]
Kernenergie en veiligheid: A wargame sought to test if a major radiological release that would prompt the evacuation of millions of civilians in South Korea could distract key US allies from assisting and rebuffing an all-out military invasion of Taiwan. The short answer was yes. The game originally presumed that China, wanting to keep the […]
Big batteries and EVs to the rescue again as faults with new nuclear plant cause chaos on Nordic grids The Finnish nuclear power plant Olkiluoto was finally connected to the grid last year, at an estimated cost of €11 billion compared to the original budget of €3 billion. That cost blowout forced its developer, the […]
