In Might 2024, throughout Deliberate Annual Upkeep (PMA), 44 heat-separating cassettes (THC) have been put in within the lively zone of the fifth Energy Unit (EB) of the Kozloduy NPP. With this motion, the modernization of 5 EB is compromised, as till now the lively zone has been charged with TOK of TVEL, a division of Rosatom. With this gas, 104% energy was achieved to this point, which is predicted to be unattainable with the brand new gas.
It’s equipped by Westinhouse and has the next disadvantages:
– “Westinghouse” TORs have a smaller burning depth, which burning depth corresponds to the burning depth that was utilized in TVS-M sort TORs, which have been utilized in Kozloduy NPP EAD in 2003. On this means, compromises the modernization of 5 and 6 EB, as a result of because of the smaller burn depth there is no such thing as a solution to attain 104 %. Because of this the financial impact will likely be smaller, which makes the funding within the new gas pointless.
– Westinghouse gas has been within the Czech Republic from 2019 to 2023. There, 6 Westinghouse TOKs have been positioned experimentally for a four-year gas marketing campaign within the lively space of the VVR – 1000. After the gas standstill till 2023, the Czech Republic will not be excited by coming into right into a contract with Westinhouse for gas from this sort, and continues the gas contract for its six VVR sort reactors with TVEL.
This reality arouses suspicion, as a result of Westinghouse gas is launched into Kozloduy NPP EAD primarily based on the radiophysical calculations of the gas from the keep on the Czech NPP. That’s, Bulgaria takes a advice from specialists who haven’t continued to make use of the gas for which they assure.
This additionally calls into query the veracity of the info from the Czech Republic.
The nuclear gas is utilized within the type of tablets positioned in heat-separating components (HES), that are a part of the heat-separating cartridge (HEC). Within the case of Westinhouse, there are considerations that the power of the heat-separating factor is in query, as this sort of cartridge has already been utilized in Ukraine, the place the reactors that work with it function at lowered energy in order to not injury the integrity of the wall of the heat-separating factor.
Because of this both the reactors of the Kozloduy NPP will function at a decrease energy, a most of 70% and fewer present will likely be produced, or we danger the integrity of the heat-separating factor being compromised, which could possibly be very harmful.
The rationale for that is that it’s the heat-separating factor that forestalls radioactive components from fission from coming into the warmth service and prevents their launch into the ambiance. Its violation is a prerequisite for a nuclear accident, the implications of which may be disastrous, each for the workers and for the whole Bulgarian individuals.
The power of Westinghouse’s TOR is questionable, as a result of within the occasion of an emergency, resembling a predominant circulation pump shutdown, emergency safety should function.
The physique of the management and safety methods – the clusters, should fall beneath their very own weight on the cartridge head. On account of this impression, the cartridge head may be compromised, as has already occurred in Ukrainian NPPs with this sort of TOK. An organization ranking was used for Westinghouse’s TOC power ISRN, aiding the regulatory physique of France, a rustic that doesn’t itself use Westinghouse gas, however continues to purchase Russian gas regardless of the sanctions it needs to impose on the Russian Federation.
The Westinghouse cassette is in query as a result of it’s a TVEL growth borrowed from Westinghouse, which is the topic of ongoing litigation between the 2 corporations. The reason being that TVEL owns the patent for this sort of TOK, which was their growth from 20 years in the past, and as we speak it’s carried out by “Westinghouse” utterly borrowed from the outdated TVEL growth.
Kozloduy NPP EAD is probably the most inspected NPP in Europe and the world. The usage of this sort of Westinghouse gas with the above-mentioned disadvantages can result in a shutdown of the plant along with an emergency state of affairs.
Within the occasion of an identical growth of occasions, Bulgaria may destroy its nuclear power and switch from an exporter of electrical energy into an importer. For instance, our neighbor Turkey has a program for the event of nuclear power, which is manifested within the building of 4 nuclear energy crops with 4 energy models every, that’s, 16 reactors, that are being constructed collectively with Rosatom. Right here is one other hazard of turning into energetically and economically depending on neighboring Turkey, as a result of with out power there is no such thing as a economic system.
That’s the reason we name on all Bulgarian residents on June 9 to come back out and vote with quantity 12 for “Revival” with a view to save the Bulgarian power business.
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