Ukraine nuclear disaster fears as cooling system damaged by flood ‘at risk of collapse'
Tim McNulty
53 minutes ago
Kakhovka dam collapsed on Tuesday
The Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the south of Ukraine remains a source of major concern as the destruction of the nearby Kakhovka dam continues to threaten the reservoir that feeds the site's cooling ponds. The France-based Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) has warned that the draining of the reservoir may undermine the dyke which holds water in the cooling pool from which crucial water is pumped to cool the plant's nuclear reactor preventing a meltdown.
The country's nuclear energy corporation, Energoatom have insisted that any breach in the dyke would be minor if in a worst-case scenario, adding that water levels in the cooling pool would remain high enough to maintain safe temperatures in the plant's core.
However Energoatom officials have warned that Russian forces occupying the Zaporizhzhia site may carry out sabotage operations.
The Kakhovka dam broke on Tuesday releasing a torrent of water into the Dnipro River downstream.
The concern is that with water levels in the reservoir behind the dam now falling, water intake pipes used to suck water into the ponds used to cool the reactor cores and spent fuel at the nuclear plant may not be able to function properly.
READ MORE: Video shows savage beating at Lewis Capaldi's school where boy, 14, died
Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is occupied by Russian troops
Ukrhydroenergo boss Ihor Syrota said: "We are reaching this dead zone, which is 12.70 [metres], after which there will not be any water intake either for the cooling ponds at the Zaporizhzhia station,
Meanwhile, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, has warned that "it is vital that this cooling pond remains intact".
He added: "Nothing must be done to potentially undermine its integrity."
According to Mr Grossito, cooling water is still currently being pumped from the Kakhovka reservoir.
Kakhovka dam destruction puts plant's cooling pools at risk
On Tuesday, the Kakhovka dam located on the Dnieper River was demolished, resulting in the displacement of thousands and the destruction of nearby towns and villages.
Cooling systems in nuclear power plants rely on substantial quantities of water from coastal areas or estuaries.
In the absence of effective cooling, the temperature within the nuclear reactor core can dangerously escalate.
On Tuesday, the Kakhovka dam located on the Dnieper River was demolished, resulting in the displacement of thousands and the destruction of nearby towns and villages.
Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
Cooling systems in nuclear power plants rely on substantial quantities of water from coastal areas or estuaries.
In the absence of effective cooling, the temperature within the nuclear reactor core can dangerously escalate.
The Dnieper River serves as a frontline in the ongoing war, and due to the conflict, many people had already evacuated the region.
Ukraine controls the western bank, while Russia holds the vulnerable, low-lying eastern side, which is more prone to flooding.
Tim McNulty
53 minutes ago
Kakhovka dam collapsed on Tuesday
The Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the south of Ukraine remains a source of major concern as the destruction of the nearby Kakhovka dam continues to threaten the reservoir that feeds the site's cooling ponds. The France-based Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) has warned that the draining of the reservoir may undermine the dyke which holds water in the cooling pool from which crucial water is pumped to cool the plant's nuclear reactor preventing a meltdown.
The country's nuclear energy corporation, Energoatom have insisted that any breach in the dyke would be minor if in a worst-case scenario, adding that water levels in the cooling pool would remain high enough to maintain safe temperatures in the plant's core.
However Energoatom officials have warned that Russian forces occupying the Zaporizhzhia site may carry out sabotage operations.
The Kakhovka dam broke on Tuesday releasing a torrent of water into the Dnipro River downstream.
The concern is that with water levels in the reservoir behind the dam now falling, water intake pipes used to suck water into the ponds used to cool the reactor cores and spent fuel at the nuclear plant may not be able to function properly.
READ MORE: Video shows savage beating at Lewis Capaldi's school where boy, 14, died
Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is occupied by Russian troops
Ukrhydroenergo boss Ihor Syrota said: "We are reaching this dead zone, which is 12.70 [metres], after which there will not be any water intake either for the cooling ponds at the Zaporizhzhia station,
Meanwhile, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, has warned that "it is vital that this cooling pond remains intact".
He added: "Nothing must be done to potentially undermine its integrity."
According to Mr Grossito, cooling water is still currently being pumped from the Kakhovka reservoir.
Kakhovka dam destruction puts plant's cooling pools at risk
On Tuesday, the Kakhovka dam located on the Dnieper River was demolished, resulting in the displacement of thousands and the destruction of nearby towns and villages.
Cooling systems in nuclear power plants rely on substantial quantities of water from coastal areas or estuaries.
In the absence of effective cooling, the temperature within the nuclear reactor core can dangerously escalate.
On Tuesday, the Kakhovka dam located on the Dnieper River was demolished, resulting in the displacement of thousands and the destruction of nearby towns and villages.
Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
Cooling systems in nuclear power plants rely on substantial quantities of water from coastal areas or estuaries.
In the absence of effective cooling, the temperature within the nuclear reactor core can dangerously escalate.
The Dnieper River serves as a frontline in the ongoing war, and due to the conflict, many people had already evacuated the region.
Ukraine controls the western bank, while Russia holds the vulnerable, low-lying eastern side, which is more prone to flooding.
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Summary
The Kakhovka dam in Ukraine, controlled by Russia, has collapsed, threatening the reservoir of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The reservoir feeds the cooling system essential for preventing a meltdown. Energoatom, Ukraine's nuclear energy corporation, states that any breach would be minor
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| 2023/06/09 20:09 | Anonymous | 501 | - | - |