CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR DISASTER CASE STUDY.pptx

CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR DISASTER�CASE STUDY

1. CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR DISASTER CASE STUDY

2. About the accident Occurred on 26 April 1986 Worst nuclear power plant disaster in history The only level 7 instance on the international nuclear event scale. Resulted in a severe release of radioactivity into environment

3. Location

4. How the accident occurred? Plant not properly designed and could run with very specific instruction. Some scientist conducted a highly risky experiment that lead to the explosion. The operator of the plant failed to follow the instructions. Experiment proposed to test a safety emergency core cooling feature during the shut down procedure

5. Continued.. This initially caused steam explosion Then second explosion from the ignition of Hydrogen mixed with air,which tore the top of the reactor . Everything inside including molten uranium,burning graphite and radioactive ashes emitted into the atmosphere. Roughly 180 tons of enriched uranium in the reactor. If a large blast had happened, half of Europe would not currently be depicted on any maps.

6. Continued.. Not a nuclear explosion. No chain reaction or explosion like that in an atomic bomb. However,the amount of radioactive material released was 400 times that caused by US bombing on Hiroshima. Radioactive fallout spread through the Europe. Around 1200 tonnes of molten graphite burned for around 9 days which causes radioactivity spread .

7. How the situation got under control? Around 5000 tonnes of boron, dolomite, sand, clay and lead were dropped on to the burning core by helicopter in an effort to extinguish the blaze and limit the release of radioactive particles. An interesting point to follow.

8. EFFECTS Result of a flawed reactor design . The resulting steam explosion released at least five percent of the radioactive reactor core. Triggered the release of substantial amounts of radiation into the atmosphere in the form of both particle and gaseous radioisotopes. 28 people died within four months : total 56 fatalities as of 2004 due to radiation. Four hundred times more fallout released than the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. 2% increase in cancer rates in much of the population exposed provoked a radioactive cloud over Russia, Belarus Ukraine and other neighbouring countries.

9. Effects on human 203 people hospitalized immediately. 135,000 people evacuated from the area. 300,000-600,000 people were involved in the cleanup. They received doses of radiation. contamination was only a minor addition compared to bombing. A seven-fold increase in DNA mutations has been identified in liquidators' children conceived after the accident when compared to their siblings conceived before.

10. 28,000 km² contaminated by caesium-137 . About 250,000 people living in this area,contaminated by radiation. Some children in the contaminated areas exposed to high radiation doses of up to 50 grays ( Gy ). one gray represents the deposition of one joule of energy per kilogram of tissue. incidence of thyroid cancer among children in Belarus. 10 deaths of thyroid cancer attributed to radiation. no increase in leukemia observed. Cont…

11. greater incidence of other cancers in coming years Among some 600,000 workers exposed in the first year 4000 might be prone to the cancers. No cases of birth defects, adverse pregnancy or decreased fertility found so far. people in the area have suffered a paralysing fatalism due to myths and misperceptions. Psycho-social effects among those affected by the accident. Cont…

12. Effects on plants & animals A large swath of pine forest killed by radiation. Livestock removed during evacuation. Levels of radiation examined in various natural foodstocks in Europe. fishes affected in Sweden and Finland. physical deformities in the plant and animal populations in affected areas.

13. insect, bird and other animal populations dramatically diminished. Barn swallows having more physical abnormalities . the abundance of invertebrates decreased. Brightly colored and migratory birds particularly sensitive to radioactive contaminants:says Mousseau contaminated dirt, water and food might be responsible. Cont…

14. Effect on the natural world concern about contamination of the soil with strontium-90 and caesium-137 . Caesium binds to the clay minerals. contamination migrating into underground aquifers ,lakes and ponds. Contamination of Paripyat river,a major issue. Affecting aquatic life. Contaminated soil affecting the local food supply.

15. Long-term effects Large no. of people resettled. Still facing problems. An increased incidence of thyroid cancer among children. political nature of nuclear energy affecting Scientific studies uncontaminated food sources and food distribution channels, and public health measures — might affect the future of the countries.

16. Mystery Unsolved: UFO

17. Cont… Chernobyl lucky to survive a major nuclear blast. Some people believe help from an Unidentified Flying Object. Hundreds of people claim to see a red flying object hovering some 300 metres over the reactor. UFO emitted two rays of crimson light towards the fourth unit. The level was decreased almost four times. This probably prevente d a nuclear blast.

18. How to avoid incidents like chernobyl Operators should be aware of the safety requirements. Operating the reactor with key security systems. Better communication between the safety officers and the operators in charge. Don’t shut down the Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS). [39] Use better design of control rods. Use a secure container for the reactor

19. What has been gained from the Chernobyl disaster? reactor safety, notably in eastern Europe. the safety of all Soviet-designed reactors improved vastly. Modifications made to overcome deficiencies in all the RBMK reactors still operating Control rods of RBMK reactors modified by adding neutron absorbers. Automated inspection equipment has also been installed. Many other international programmes initiated following Chernobyl

20. Thank You