Power Station Safety
The use of nuclear energy for power generation is only feasible if we can guarantee the safety of people and the environment.
All of our safety measures are based on a safety philosophy aimed at protecting people and the environment from radioactive emissions from nuclear power plants.
All of our safety measures are based on a safety philosophy aimed at protecting people and the environment from radioactive emissions from nuclear power plants.
Automated processes
'Passive safety features' are the first-line safety mechanisms used in nuclear power plants. Passive safety structures seal in the radioactive materials contained in the reactor core under all operating conditions (including accidents), keeping them separate from the outside environment. The fuel pellets themselves, the fuel-rod casings, reactor pressure vessel, biological shield, steel containment structure, and outer reinforced concrete shell of the reactor building are the six most important passive safety features.
Maximum physical shielding
The passive safety features are supplemented by a comprehensive range of automated 'active safety features.' The reliability of these features is based on their multiple redundancy, and on the fact that they operate independently of each other in separate locations.
For example, each nuclear facility has its own power supply. And the reactor cooling systems are designed to ensure that the heat generated by the reactor can be reliably removed under any operating conditions-even in the event of a very unlikely malfunction, such as a breach of a primary coolant line. The electronic reactor protection system is the 'nervous system' controlling all active safety systems. It constantly monitors and compares all the key operating parameters of the plant. Thus, if a parameter reaches a limit value, the reactor protection system automatically triggers the necessary protection measures without any need for input from plant operating personnel. For example, if necessary, the protection system may initiate a rapid shutdown and aftercooling procedure.
'Passive safety features' are the first-line safety mechanisms used in nuclear power plants. Passive safety structures seal in the radioactive materials contained in the reactor core under all operating conditions (including accidents), keeping them separate from the outside environment. The fuel pellets themselves, the fuel-rod casings, reactor pressure vessel, biological shield, steel containment structure, and outer reinforced concrete shell of the reactor building are the six most important passive safety features.
Maximum physical shielding
The passive safety features are supplemented by a comprehensive range of automated 'active safety features.' The reliability of these features is based on their multiple redundancy, and on the fact that they operate independently of each other in separate locations.
For example, each nuclear facility has its own power supply. And the reactor cooling systems are designed to ensure that the heat generated by the reactor can be reliably removed under any operating conditions-even in the event of a very unlikely malfunction, such as a breach of a primary coolant line. The electronic reactor protection system is the 'nervous system' controlling all active safety systems. It constantly monitors and compares all the key operating parameters of the plant. Thus, if a parameter reaches a limit value, the reactor protection system automatically triggers the necessary protection measures without any need for input from plant operating personnel. For example, if necessary, the protection system may initiate a rapid shutdown and aftercooling procedure.
