01 June 2004 07:02
Russian nuclear power plant`s unit shut down for maintenance
Novovoronezh (Voronezh Region), 1 June: The Novovoronezh nuclear power plant's power unit No 3 was shut down
today for maintenance, the head of the unit, Anatoliy Fedorov, has said.
He said the stoppage was a scheduled one. Over a period of 45 days the unit's equipment will be upgraded to
improve its safety. In particular, a new water filter is expected to be installed. In addition, the fourth steam
generator will be overhauled and the tube system will be checked.
Experts also intend to test the state of the unit's metalwork, given that the power unit's service life was
extended in December 2001 for another 15 years after its original service life of 30 years had expired. These tests are
necessary to make sure that the decision to prolong the unit's service life was the right one, Fedorov said.
At the moment the Novovoronezh nuclear power plant has two of its power units - with a total capacity of 1.4m kW - in
operation. The level of radiation at the plant and in nearby areas is within the norm.
[ITAR-TASS news agency] |
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