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Where is Chernobyl?
Chernobyl
Background
Reaktor Bolshoy Moshehnosty Kipyashiy
RBMK, a Russian acronym translated roughly means reactor (of) high power (of the) channel (type) reactor cooled by water and moderated by graphite
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RBMK Reactor
Fuel assemblies
Day of disaster
25 April 1986 01:00 The preparation for the test 13:47 Lowering of the reactor power halted at 1,600 MWt 14:00 The ECCS was isolated 23:10 The power reduction resumed
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26 April 1986
24:00 Operation shift change 24:28 Power level is now 500 MWt and kept decreasing to 30 MWt 24:40 The operator withdrew some control rods 01:00 Power had risen to 200 MWt 01:03 Connecting the fourth main cooling pump to the left loop of the system 200 MWt 01:07 Connecting the fourth main cooling pump to the right of the loop system - this was a violation of NOP
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Human Errors
Isolation of the emergency core cooling system Unsafe amount of control rods withdrawn Connection of the four main cooling pumps to the right and left of the system
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Overconfidence
By having an electrical engineer on site for an electrical test No confirmation of cues obtained from the system
Accident Prevention
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System Analysis
Use of graphite as a moderator Lack of a well-built containment structure Inadequate instrumentation and alarms for an emergency situation There were no physical controls that prevented the operators from operating the reactor in its unstable state
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Summary of Facts
April 26, 1986:
Chernobyl nuclear power plant
Operator errors cause a reactor explosion Explosion releases 190 tons of radioactive gasses into the atmosphere Fire starts that lasts 10 days
People:
7 million lived in contaminated areas; 3 million were children
Wind:
Carries radiation far distances
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Radioactive fallout
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Direct Casualties
5.5 million people still live in contaminated areas 31 people died in 3 months of radiation poisoning 134 emergency workers suffered from acute radiation sickness 25,000 rescue workers died since then of diseases caused by radiation Cancer afflicts many others Increased birth defects, miscarriages, and stillbirths
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Indirect Casualties
By the year 2000 there were 1800 case of thyroid cancer in children and adolescent High number of suicide and violent death among Firemen, policemen, and other recovery workers
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Environment Impact
Areas still impacted today:
Soil Ground Water Air Food
Crops Livestock
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Problems Today
The Sarcophagus
After the disaster, a huge cement box was built around the radioactive material It is falling apart! According to a 2003 report by the Russian Atomic Energy Minister, Alexander Rumyantsev, "the concrete shell surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear reactor is in real danger of collapsing at any time." A new Sarcophagus is scheduled to be completed in 2009
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Recommendations
Have proper Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for both normal and emergency situations Have scheduled trainings and practices for normal and emergency situations
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Recommendations (cont.)
Always have a reactor expert on site Have operators confirm any cues from the system before making hypothesis or take action Have a team work kind of environment such that every body is involved
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