NSSC Approves Restart of Hanbit Unit 1... "Safety Confirmed"

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Dongwoo Lee] The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission announced on the 16th that it has permitted the restart of Hanbit Unit 1, which had been undergoing a regular inspection since its shutdown on August 28.

The NSSC stated that it allowed Hanbit Unit 1 to reach criticality. Criticality is the state in which a sustained nuclear fission chain reaction occurs within the reactor, and the number of neutrons reaches equilibrium. A reactor that has reached criticality can be safely controlled and operated.

The NSSC said, "Out of a total of 89 inspection items during the regular inspection, results for 81 items that must be completed before criticality confirmed that the reactor can safely achieve criticality in the future."

The NSSC confirmed that there were no areas below the standard thickness (5.4 mm) due to degradation in the containment building internal steel plate (CLP) of Hanbit Unit 1.

Additionally, during the inspection process, seven foreign substances found inside the steam generator were removed, and nondestructive testing of the tube sheet was properly conducted.

As a follow-up measure related to last year's shutdown of the Kori Nuclear Power Plant due to a typhoon, it was announced that the power lines of Hanbit Unit 1 have been improved to a sealed type to prevent external exposure.

The NSSC plans to finally confirm the safety of Hanbit Unit 1 through subsequent tests such as power ascension tests.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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