In the afternoon of Feb. 25, 1994 unit no. 2 of Ignalina NPP was shut down to locate the leakage in the primary circuit unservicable compartment enclosing the multipurpose valves and reactor channel flowmeters and eliminate its causes. On February 28 the primary circuit underwent pressure and visual tests. The leaks were detected in the detachable joints of multipurpose valve 38-42 and ball-type flowmeter 13-18. The leaks were caused by the damage of the sealing gaskets. The event was provisionally rated as INES level 0, as per table II (A-1). The analysis of the deviation revealed deficiencies in safety culture viz neglects of the maintenance procedure. The final rating is 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.