Modern Chernobyl - nuclear reactor safety

Chernobyl is located 110 kilometers from Kiev - the capital of Ukraine. The Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded in April 1986. Severe contamination with radioactive microscopic particles occurred throughout all the surrounding area. The explosion was caused by a planned shutdown of the security system, which was carried out in order to check its individual elements.

More than 190 tons of nuclear fuel was burned in the core. Emissions amounted to more than 50 million curies. This is equivalent to an atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. A cloud of radiation was spread by the wind throughout the territories of Ukraine, Belarus, and the Russia. A small amount also affected Europe.

Chernobyl - New Safe Confinement

The New Safe Confinement (NSC) is a sophisticated design recently erected over the sarcophagus for the security reasons. This versatile system provides long-lasting protection against emissions. The multifunctional NSC system transforms a hazardous facility into an ultra-strong system that is completely safe for living creatures and environment.

The arch is a grandiose system with a span of 257 meters and a height of 109 meters.

NSC Features

The New Safe Confinement consists of 19 complex structures that include powerful technological and ventilation systems for decontamination, including fragmentation of radioactive releases. Sanitary locks and backup power supply are extremely important. An important role is played by the system of seismic monitoring and radiation testing of the state of the entire structure.

A progressive construction design of NSC allows to effectively monitoring the current process within the system.

Specialists estimate the cost of the New Safe Confinement at 2 billion euro. Financing is provided by a special Fund of Chernobyl (CSF) in conjunction with the European Bank of EBRD.

The construction process is carried out by NOVARKA, which includes French partner companies: Bouygues Travaux Publics and VINCI Construction Grands Projets.

The shield arch that is built above the nuclear power plant is a heavy-duty steel structure; its service life will be approximately 100 years. Nowadays, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is considered as a safe facility, fully controlled by an electronic control system and industrial television.

The station is no longer a hazard because it is under the close supervision of the NSC.