Unit 4 was shut down for overhaul and refuelling, maintenance works were underway. At 13:45 a release of cooling water from the refuelling pool through the main closing valve (MCV) and SG manhole into SG hermetic box was remarked. All works were stopped. The water level in the refuelling pool decreased by 27 cm which corresponds to 16.6 cubic meter. Estimated volume of water penetrating to SG box was between 3-8 cubic meter. Maximum surface contamination measured was 6 Bq/cm2 (limit 37 Bq/cm2). There was no injury or irradiation of NPP staff, no off-site impact. released water was drained into a special canalization system of SG hermetic boxes. After clarifying of release reason and decontamination the authorization to resume refuelling works was issued at 20.00 h. Investigations of the event showed that the unauthorized manipulation with MCV during maintenance works was the reason of the event. Corrective measures were suggested.Justification: According to INES user's manual, Part III, paragraph III-3.7 unplanned discharge or releases - this event was preliminarily classified as INES level 1.
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.
