Nuclear regulator confirms safety measures for Hanbit Unit 2 operations
The Nuclear Safety And Security Commission announced that it allowed the criticality of the Hanbit Unit 2, which has been undergoing routine inspections since May 17, on the 14th.
Criticality refers to the state in which a nuclear fission chain reaction occurs continuously in a reactor, achieving a balance where the number of generated neutrons equals the number of neutrons that disappear.
The commission confirmed that, in the recent routine inspection, it had checked 84 of the 94 items required before achieving criticality, ensuring that future criticality can be conducted safely.
During the routine inspection period, based on the results of the steam generator tube leakage test and eddy current testing (a non-destructive test to identify defects on the surface and near the surface of metallic materials), maintenance was completed on 231 of the 16,878 tubes found to require repairs, including 224 sleeving operations and 7 tube plugging. Sleeving involves inserting and welding a metal tube inside the tube to reinforce it. The commission also confirmed that the tests and maintenance were conducted appropriately according to technical standards.
Based on the results of the routine inspections conducted so far, the commission allowed the criticality of Hanbit Unit 2 and stated that it would confirm safety through follow-up tests (10 tests) including power escalation tests.
Source: Chosun Biz