Last reactor at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant stopped

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By KARL RITTER

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Europe’s largest nuclear plant has been reconnected to Ukraine’s electricity grid, allowing engineers to shut down its last operational reactor in an attempt to avoid a radiation disaster as fighting rages in the area.

The six-reactor Zaporizhzhia plant lost its outside source of power a week ago after all its power lines were disconnected as a result of shelling. It was operating in “island mode” for several days, generating electricity for crucial cooling systems from its only remaining operational reactor.

Nuclear operator Energoatom said one of those power lines was restored “to its operational capacity” late Saturday, making it possible to run the plant’s safety and other systems on electricity from the power system of Ukraine.

“Therefore, a decision was made to shut down power unit No. 6 and transfer it to the safest state – cold shutdown,” the company said in a statement.



FILE - This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant occupied by Russian forces, in Ukraine on Aug. 28, 2022. Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant , built during the Soviet era and one of the 10 biggest in the world, has been engulfed by fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops in recent weeks, fueling concerns of a nuclear catastrophe. (Planet Labs PBC via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-8838067037a8521e3bc764435144d8b7?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=TopNews&utm_campaign=position_3

[womanofthehills]

1. Sounds like it's now generators to keep those rods cool

If the generators run out of fuel, a meltdown could occur


According to the IAEA, the Zaporizhzhia plant has more than a dozen emergency generators standing by. Normally, the plant holds a 10-day reserve of diesel fuel, the agency says, and currently has approximately 2,250 tonnes of fuel available.

If that fuel is depleted, or the generators are damaged in further fighting, it could trigger a meltdown.
But Nesbit says that doesn't necessarily mean there would be a Chernobyl-like catastrophe. The meltdown at Chernobyl was due to a unique mix of design flaws and operator error that would be essentially impossible to replicate at Zaporizhzhia..
And unlike the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, some of the reactors at Zaporizhzhia have already been shut down for a while, allowing the nuclear fuel to cool somewhat, Nesbit says.

Even in the worst case scenario, the reactors at Zaporizhzhia are a modern design surrounded by a heavy "containment" building, Nesbit says. "It's reinforced concrete, typically about three to four feet of that; it's designed to withstand very high internal pressures.”

That could allow it to hold in any radioactive material. https://www.npr.org/2022/09/09/1122090517/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-accident-risk

[progree]

3. It says the plant is connected to the Ukrainian grid -- so don't need the diesel generators

unless the grid connection is lost (again).

[Martin68]

2. That's the loss of a significant source of energy for Ukraine's electricity grid.

That was probably Russia's motivation from the start.

[womanofthehills]

4. I think it's 20% of Ukraine's electricity

Tonight Russia is attacking more of Ukraine’s grid.

[Martin68]

5. The Russian strategy is to destroy, destroy, destroy.

[Karma13612]

6. A little bit like

“Donny two times”

I certainly hope the reports of Russia nearing defeat are true and lasting.