Russians plan to switch power unit 4 of Zaporizhzhia NPP into cold shutdown mode due to technic malfunction

The Russians will switch power unit No. 4 of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) into cold shutdown mode due to a technical malfunction. Nevertheless, the Russia-appointed administration of the plant plans to switch power unit No. 6 of the station into hot mode.

Source: Russian state-owned news agency Interfax 

Quote: "In the process of operation of the fourth unit of Zaporizhzhia NPP, the station personnel revealed signs of leakage in the tube part of the steam generator No. 3," the report said.

At the same time, the Russians are going to put power unit No. 6 of the station into hot mode.

"To ensure the steam auxiliary needs of Zaporizhzhia NPP, the issue of transferring power unit No. 6 into hot mode is being considered," the message stated. 

Background: 

The station has been under occupation since March 2022.

At the same time, Rosatom, which illegally run ZNPP and is an integral part of the occupation mechanism, is one of the few Russian state corporations that has not fallen under international sanctions.

Russia has not yet fulfilled any requirements of the International Nuclear Energy Agency (IAEA). The resolution of the IAEA Governing Council calling on Russia to return control of ZNPP to Ukraine continues to be ignored.

On the night of 10 August, ZNPP once again lost power from the main 750 kV high-voltage line; the station is on the verge of another blackout.

The main threat to nuclear and radiation safety is the fourth power unit of Zaporizhzhia NPP being in a state of hot shutdown, which the Russians use in violation of the conditions of the licence for the operation of reactor plants of the NPP established by the Ukrainian regulator (State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate).

According to Taras Tkach, the acting Executive Director of SE NAEK Energoatom, in case of complete loss of external power, the main circulation pumps of the station will turn off, and the power unit will switch to the "natural circulation" mode:"In this case, it is necessary to urgently ‘cool it down’ in the absence of cooling pumps".

This mode is problematic for the reactor plant; its duration is limited by the plant’s design, and it can lead to the failure of the main equipment of the power unit.

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