“The engineering structure over the destroyed fourth power unit of the Chernobyl NPP was seriously threatened due to the attack of the Russian drone. The protective arch, which cost the international community of about $ 1.7 billion, is no longer able to fully fulfill its protective function. American engineer Eric Schmman, who worked on this project for 15 years as a senior technical advisor, explained that the design was not calculated on”, – WRITE ON: ua.news
The engineering structure over the destroyed fourth power unit of the Chernobyl NPP was seriously threatened due to the attack of the Russian drone.
The protective arch, which cost the international community of about $ 1.7 billion, is no longer able to fully fulfill its protective function.
American engineer Eric Schmman, who has worked on this project as a senior technical advisor for 15 years, explained that the design was not relying on hostilities.
“We have conducted a lot of security analyzes, given the many bad things that can happen. We viewed earthquakes, tornadoes, strong winds, 100-year-old snowfall, all kinds of things. We have not considered hostilities, ”the expert said.
On February 14, Shahhed’s Russian drone worth about $ 20,000 punched a hole in the arch steel shell, causing a fire. Particularly dangerous was the formation of a waterproof membrane inside the isolation, which lasted for almost three weeks.
Rescuers had to use climbing equipment to combat fire, punching the holes in the outer layer of the shield and spraying water inside the structure, which was projected with constant dryness.
According to Ukrainian officials, about half of the northern part of the protective shield was damaged. The level of radiation outside the station remains normal, but the strategy of repairing the damaged arch raises serious questions.
Artem Gray, the head of the structure of the structure, considers the complete restoration of the object is almost impossible.
Experts predict that restorative work can last for years, which makes it impossible to implement the initial plans for gradual dismantling of the destroyed reactor. There is a high risk of corrosion of the steel shell of the arch, which can lead to additional complications.
Eric Schmman emphasizes that it is not a priority not to restore the structure, but to protect it from progressive corrosion.
The drone attack actually disrupted the long -term plans to secure the fourth unit. Radiation safety expert Oleksandr Kupyni notes that the important equipment located in the drone enclosure was particularly critical.
The arch, installed above the reactor in 2016, was considered the largest moving construction in the world and was the result of joint efforts of almost fifty countries and international organizations.
The fire was completely eliminated only on March 7, and now experts evaluate long -term consequences for a unique protective structure.
We will remind, the Zaporizhzhya NPP will not work under the Russian occupation, but it is possible to restore it. Currently, there is no any stage of negotiations on the transfer of a nuclear power plant under the control of Ukraine.
