New Phase for Chernobyl Sarcophagus Stablization
The administration of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant signed a new contract on January 10, 2008 to continue stabilization efforts on the existing Sarcophagus. Contract SIP 07-1-00 covers repairs to the Sarcophagus roof, installation of physical protection systems, and the reinforcement of supporting beams.
The project's contractor is the Stabilization Consortium, led by Russia's Atomstroyexport, and includes Ukraine's YUTEM-Engineering and Atomenergostroyproekt Institute. The project moderator is the International Chernobyl Shelter FUnd, and project funding will come from the G8 and European Union countries. Over $1 billion for the project has already been collected by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
The Sarcophagus' 20 year expected lifespan has already been extended due to previous stabilization efforts. Over the past three years, builders have used 750 tons of metal, 245 tons of reinforced steel and falsework, and 4,500 tons of reinforced concrete for the foundation to strengthen the structure.
The Sarcophagus, built hastily after the accident in 1986, was the quicker to construct and less costly of two considered options. Remote-control methods used during construction prevented installation of the concrete panels at the required tightness, leaving behind unfilled gaps. Currently, the total area of these cracks has reach almost 1,000 square meters, allowing up to 2,000 cubic meters of rain and melted snow inside the structure each year. This moisture can spread radioactive material, and in a worst-case scenario, could produce a runaway nuclear reaction. These cracks also allow small amounts of radiation to continue escaping into the atmosphere.
This new project will provide additional time for the construction of the New Safe confinement, an arch-shaped structure with an expected lifespan of 100 years, that will ultimately cover the radioactive remains of Reactor 4.
The project's contractor is the Stabilization Consortium, led by Russia's Atomstroyexport, and includes Ukraine's YUTEM-Engineering and Atomenergostroyproekt Institute. The project moderator is the International Chernobyl Shelter FUnd, and project funding will come from the G8 and European Union countries. Over $1 billion for the project has already been collected by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
The Sarcophagus' 20 year expected lifespan has already been extended due to previous stabilization efforts. Over the past three years, builders have used 750 tons of metal, 245 tons of reinforced steel and falsework, and 4,500 tons of reinforced concrete for the foundation to strengthen the structure.
The Sarcophagus, built hastily after the accident in 1986, was the quicker to construct and less costly of two considered options. Remote-control methods used during construction prevented installation of the concrete panels at the required tightness, leaving behind unfilled gaps. Currently, the total area of these cracks has reach almost 1,000 square meters, allowing up to 2,000 cubic meters of rain and melted snow inside the structure each year. This moisture can spread radioactive material, and in a worst-case scenario, could produce a runaway nuclear reaction. These cracks also allow small amounts of radiation to continue escaping into the atmosphere.
This new project will provide additional time for the construction of the New Safe confinement, an arch-shaped structure with an expected lifespan of 100 years, that will ultimately cover the radioactive remains of Reactor 4.
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