02.09.2024 Our people
What was behind the creation and accidents of the first Slovak NPP Bohunice A1, reveals Andrej Žiarovský in podcast VUJE #10
The A1 Nuclear Power Plant in Jaslovské Bohunice was the first nuclear power plant in the former Czechoslovakia, initiated in 1956 and launched in 1972. The plant has a very complex history marked by innovation and challenges, as detailed by nuclear energy expert Andrej Žiarovský in a recent podcast.
YouTube: bit.ly/3MAqPZb
Developed in collaboration with the Soviet Union, it featured a unique heavy-water moderated and carbon dioxide-cooled reactor, the KS-150, which used natural uranium as fuel. This made Bohunice A1 distinct from modern reactors that use enriched uranium and light water as a moderator and coolant.
However, the plant faced significant technical challenges, including corrosion issues due to the interaction between carbon dioxide and water, and the complex design of the reactor's fuel channels. These challenges contributed to two major accidents. The first occurred on January 5, 1976, during fuel replacement, leading to the massive escape of carbon dioxide gas and the tragic death of two workers. Another accident on February 22, 1977, also during fuel handling, caused fuel assembly melting and core damage. The second accident ultimately led to the plant's permanent shutdown.
Despite these setbacks, Bohunice A1 played a crucial role in shaping Slovakia's nuclear energy future. The story of this pioneering but troubled plant highlights both the ambitions and risks associated with early nuclear energy development. The full details and impact of these events are explored in Andrej Žiarovský's podcast, offering insights into a key chapter of Slovakia's nuclear history.
