Bellona nuclear digest. July 2024
A survey of events in the field of nuclear and radiation safety relating to Russia and Ukraine.
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Publish date: February 6, 2003
News
In 1984, about 20 containers of spent nuclear fuel assemblies were unloaded onto this storage pad. The rest of them were moved to an outdoor concrete pad where the tanks utilised for dry storage are located. The concrete surface of the ground becomes deformed because of the friable soil. According to data from Minatoms division for the management of spent nuclear fuel, the outdoor ground site is storing about 220 spent nuclear fuel assemblies from the first generation submarines in TK-6 (TK-11) type containers. Seven spent nuclear fuel assemblies in one of the containers are probably damaged. This was confirmed when one of the containers was being lifted and the plug in its bottom side and a part of an assembly fell out.
The generally poor technical condition of the containers and the lack of a licence authorised by the nuclear regulatory (GAN) preclude any transportation of the containers. Therefore, the unloading of fuel can only be conducted on the site. It is difficult to predict the challenges and problems that can arise during the unloading of the fuel. For example, problems can arise if the fuel elements of the assemblies are not fastened to the top of them. In this case it would be necessary to open the plug in the down side of the container so as to extract the spent nuclear fuel assembly. If the assembly is undamaged, then unloading of the fuel can continue according to the regular steps:
Due to the lack of special tools, the operation is conducted manually, using devices allowing the personnel to keep a safe distance from the immediate vicinity to the assemblies.
A survey of events in the field of nuclear and radiation safety relating to Russia and Ukraine.
Transport on the Northern Sea Route is not sustainable, and Kirkenes must not become a potential hub for transport along the Siberian coast. Bellona believes this is an important message Norway should deliver in connection with the Prime Minister's visit to China. In an open letter to Jonas Gahr Støre, Bellona asks the Prime Minister to make it clear that the Chinese must stop shipping traffic through the Northeast Passage.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has published a new report on its efforts to ensure nuclear safety and security during the conflict in Ukraine, with the agency’s director-general warning that the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station remains “precarious and very fragile.”
In this news digest, we monitor events that impact the environment in the Russian Arctic. Our focus lies in identifying the factors that contribute to pollution and climate change.