Link [fair game, etc..] Official reports 'serious' problems at Chernobyl

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) - ``Serious and unexpected'' problems were discovered during repairs on the Chernobyl nuclear plant's only working reactor, an official acknowledged Friday - but added that the plant will still resume operations this fall. Reactor No. 3 at Chernobyl - the site of the world's worst nuclear accident in 1986 - was shut down for planned repairs July 1. The repairs are expected to last until Nov. 9.

A new repair schedule had to be devised following the discovery of additional defects at the Soviet-constructed RBMK reactor. The defects were ``quite serious and unexpected but did not deviate from the existing norms,'' said Borys Baranov, shift manager at Chernobyl.

Baranov did not give any more details, nor did a Friday statement from Chernobyl about the repairs' progress.

Baranov, whose comments were carried by the Interfax news agency, said the reactor still would come back on line Nov. 9, provided that necessary funds and equipment arrive on time.

``In any case, the reactor will be restarted, since we lack the equipment needed to provide for the stoppage of Chernobyl,'' he said.

The plant's safety has long been a major concern in the West, and Ukraine has pledged to close it by 2000. But the energy-strapped former Soviet republic has asked for outside financial help to complete two new nuclear reactors to compensate for the power loss.

The G-8 group of leading industrialized nations has made no decision on that request, and some even argue that Ukraine could acquire alternative energy sources. Without outside help, Ukrainian officials have said, Chernobyl is likely to continue operating well beyond 2000.

The No. 3 reactor, presently under repair, is the only one that remains in operation at Chernobyl.

In 1986, a devastating explosion and fire at Chernobyl reactor No. 4 spewed radiation over much of Europe. Another Chernobyl reactor was shut after a 1991 fire, and the fourth was closed down permanently in 1997.

Copyright 1999 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

-- lisa (lisa@home.weekend), September 03, 1999

Answers

Are you sure it wasn't Boris Batternoff that made the announcement?

-- (sickofthis@crap.com), September 03, 1999.

Dude, it says OT (Off Topic) right there in the subject line.

-- lisa (lisa@work.now), September 03, 1999.

I disagree with the OT designation...With just THREE monthe 'till the Roll, assessments like this are VERY important.

So, they now have major structural damage to the Graphite block and fuel assembly system...by the time they do acceptance tests on the reactor, say one month of CAREFULLY raising the power level and measuring the results...That leaves THREE (3) weeks for Y2K compliance, against the massive power demands of the Russian/Ukranian winter.

This post tells me IT"S GONNA BLOW!!

-- K. Stevens (kstevens@ It'a ALL going away in January.com), September 03, 1999.

Lisa, it is sure nice to see that you are @home for a change. But you are, as evidenced by your post, still working. Thanks for taking the time to find the interesting stuff. Get some rest this weekend.

Oh, and its all On Topic to me.

-- semper paratus (lay_low@buy.stuff), September 03, 1999.

this is VERY ON Topic to me; it is a for-runner of things to come. If they can't "afford" to shut it down, and will re-start it even if it is in dubious shape- and can't even test it- and this is likely the scenario for their other reactors- doesn't bode well at all. We are all one world- nukes going bad in Russia don't just stay in Russia.....

-- farmer (hillsidefarm@drbs.net), September 03, 1999.

The KI is safe in its little shrine. Hope we don't ever have to take it but it's there just in case. Looks like we'll have to pop those pills in 2000 :-(

Don't wait until things are any worse to get your KI.

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), September 04, 1999.