Wolseong Unit 3 Reactivated...NSSC Allows Criticality

[Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] Wolseong Unit 3, which has been undergoing regular inspections since June this year, will soon be restarted.

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission announced that it approved the criticality of Wolseong Unit 3 on July 21.

Criticality refers to the state in a reactor where the nuclear fission chain reaction continues steadily, and the number of neutrons produced equals the number of neutrons lost, resulting in a neutron population equilibrium. Upon approval of criticality, the remaining nine inspection items, including core power distribution measurement tests during or after the reactor criticality process, will be conducted.

The NSSC confirmed that all 85 inspection items to be performed before criticality during this regular inspection were completed, ensuring that the reactor criticality can be safely achieved in the future.

During this regular inspection period, non-destructive testing of heat transfer tubes and internal foreign material inspections of the steam generator were properly conducted, and all internal foreign materials (two items) found through the inspection equipment were removed.

Additionally, repairs and technical evaluations of exposed rebar areas identified in the containment building were reviewed, confirming that there is no impact on the structural soundness.

An NSSC official stated, "Based on the results of the regular inspection so far, we approved the criticality of Wolseong Unit 3," adding, "We plan to finalize safety confirmation through nine follow-up tests, including power ascension tests."

Earlier, on the 19th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced, "Wolseong Unit 3 is expected to supply power from the 23rd if the NSSC approves the restart according to the scheduled maintenance plan."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.