For normal life, a person needs energy. He gets it with food and in the process of breathing. If we talk about civilization as a whole, then it needs energy for production needs. It is produced at large stations. Various sources are used for energy production. Many of them create global problems not only for the environment in general, but also for the health of the planet’s population in particular.
Types of power plants and the consequences of their work
The classification of these energy complexes is carried out depending on the sources that they use. So, there are thermal power plants. They run on fossil fuels (natural gas, coal, oil). In the process of energy production, combustion products are formed that adversely affect nature, polluting it. Hydroelectric power plants use water. Their work does not adversely affect the air. But dams built to provide them with raw materials block water flows, adversely affecting the fauna and flora of the area. Wind farms use air currents. But they can also be a disaster. For example, a wind generator may fall, causing damage to surrounding structures.
Hazardous substance release accidents
Industrial complexes using chemical compounds in their work pose a great threat. The consequences of disasters at such stations are global. History knows many such cases. Accidents with chemical releases pose a threat to humans, nature, flora and fauna. Large stocks of harmful compounds are found in oil refining, defense, pulp and paper industries. Accidents with chemical emissions can occur at metallurgical plants, trading bases, meat and dairy plants. A sufficiently large amount of harmful compounds is present in enterprises producing mineral fertilizers. In these plants, in case of malfunctions, an accident with the release of ammonia can occur. This compound affects the human respiratory tract. An accident with the release of ammonia can lead to the death of people in the disaster area. As a rule, compounds in industrial complexes are in gaseous or liquid form. The second is used more often.
During production, during storage, transportation, usually gaseous compounds are compressed and brought into a liquid state. This can significantly reduce their volume. However, the danger is not reduced at all. Of particular concern to the public and the environment are accidents involving the release of biological substances. They can occur in vaccine manufacturing complexes, in storage facilities, in laboratories. In the case of the release of biological substances into the environment, it becomes infected, which, in turn, entails a massive incidence of people.
Classification
Poisonous accidents are categorized by scale. So, they distinguish global, regional, local and object. All types of accidents with the release of AHOV are characterized by the formation of the corresponding affected area. The lower the concentration of compounds in the enterprise, the less will be the consequences. However, in any case, accidents involving the release of chemicals will adversely affect the people involved in the industrial complex.
Radiation Accidents
Examples of such disasters are well known. In Russia and in the world, the largest of them is considered an explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. It happened in 1986, April 26th. On that day, one of the security systems was tested. During the operation, two explosions occurred. As a result, the engine room and part in the reactor block were destroyed. From April 26 to May 10 - at the time of the final shutdown of the destroyed reactor - about 190 tons of radioactive substances were in the atmosphere. The greatest damage was done to Ukraine, Belarus and the west of Russia. The consequences of this accident with the release of radioactive substances affected 20 states.
In 1975, on November 30, it became known about the accident with the release of radioactive substances at the Leningrad NPP. The cause of the disaster was the melting of fuel elements in technological channels. As a result of this, the reactor core of the first power unit was partially destroyed. About 1.5 million Ci of radioactivity were released into the atmosphere. At the same time, residents of nearby territories were not warned of a threat to their health.
There were accidents with radioactive releases and abroad. So, in 1952, December 12, the world's first catastrophe of its kind occurred. As a result of a technical error, overheating and partial melting of the reactor core occurred. A huge volume of compounds fell into the atmosphere. In addition, about 3800 m 3 of contaminated water was poured into shallow trenches near the river. The Ottawa. In 1966, an accident at the Enrico Fermi nuclear power plant occurred in the United States. The accident occurred due to partial melting of the core. The employees of the complex managed to shut down the reactor themselves. In 1969, the operator made a mistake in France at the nuclear power plant Sant Lauren. As a result, about 50 kg of molten fuel fell inside the reactor vessel. A large amount of radioactive substances was released into the atmosphere. The reactor was shut down for a year.
Basic concepts
A complex, where a certain volume of a radioactive substance is processed, stored, used or transported, is recognized as a radiation hazardous facility. In the event of the destruction of it or another disaster within it, radiation of people, plants and animals, the atmosphere and other natural elements may occur. Accidents with the release of radiation - a disaster resulting from a violation of the rules for the safe operation of an integrated installation. During this emergency, decay products or ionizing radiation go beyond the specified limits in a volume exceeding the established norms. In an accident with the release of radioactive substances, it is necessary to stop the operation of the energy complex, equipment, devices containing harmful elements.
Object Types
Accidents with the release of radioactive substances can occur on:
- Nuclear power plants (nuclear power plants, nuclear power plants).
- Objects with nuclear power plants (ship, military nuclear power plants, space).
- The nuclear fuel cycle enterprises of the radiochemical and uranium industries. Such objects also include landfills and waste disposal.
- Warehouses with nuclear ammunition.
Fuel Features
In the process of preparation receive uranium dioxide (powder). It is tableted, then fuel elements and assemblies are made. Subsequently, they are applied to the reactor. Spent fuel can be sent for disposal. In some complexes, waste is recycled and the necessary components are recovered. They can be partially (re) used. Fuel processing is carried out at specialized plants. Burial is carried out in special concrete tanks in artificial or natural cavities.
AC
Nuclear plants are complexes where nuclear energy is converted into heat and electricity. The heat that is released in the reactor is used to produce steam, through which the turbogenerator rotates, as well as partial heating of the coolant. The nuclear power plants are equipped with steam turbines, a system for removing generated heat and power, pipelines, and nuclear power sources. Today, Russia uses two types of nuclear reactors. In the first - water-water - water acts as a moderator of neurons and coolant. In channel reactor plants of high power, graphite is additionally used. It acts as a moderator of neurons. Accidents with the release of radioactive substances can occur due to:
- Violations of technological rules by employees of the complex, deficiencies in their training.
- Low demanding and insufficient attention on the part of departments, ministries, institutions, enterprises and other legal and officials responsible for ensuring and maintaining safety at the facilities during the design, construction and subsequent operation.
Ship complexes
These nuclear facilities are equipped with liquid metal and light water reactors. Their fundamental differences from the speaker units are:
- Use of highly enriched uranium as a fuel.
- Relatively small dimensions.
- High level of protection.
The reasons why accidents with the release of radioactive substances at these sites can occur are the depressurization of the first reactor loop and the penetration of water under protection.
NPP and space nuclear power plants
Nitrin is used at military nuclear power plants. This is a fire and chemically hazardous substance. The causes of accidents at the NPP may be depressurization of the first reactor loop and mechanical damage. Space nuclear power plants are small in size. Small dimensions are achieved through the use of highly purified fuel with a high concentration of plutonium-238 and strontium-90. The reasons for which accidents with the release of radioactive substances at these facilities can occur are emergency situations and unauthorized going beyond the design capacity in the event of a fall or impact.
YBP
Explosive devices and nuclear ammunition are stored in peacetime in specialized warehouses. They are there in a state of readiness for extradition and use. Some of them are used in combat duty. Most often, accidents occur in a collision of vehicles with nuclear warheads, a fire in the assembly shop, storage facility, complex, as well as under the influence of lightning discharges.
NFC enterprises
In nuclear fuel cycle complexes, as a rule, accidents occur of the following types:
- Ignition of radioactive materials and combustible elements.
- Exceeding the critical mass level of fissile compounds.
- Leaks and breaks in storage tanks.
- Accidents with finished products.
The nuclear fuel cycle enterprises carry out work on the extraction of uranium ore and its enrichment. These complexes also carry out the production of fuel cells for nuclear energy, the processing of radioactive waste, as well as storage and their final disposal. All enterprises are divided into three categories:
- Radiochemical plants.
- Complexes of the uranium industry.
- Landfills of radioactive substances.
The complexes of the uranium industry include objects where ore is mined by shaft or open pit, as well as its subsequent processing. This category also includes enterprises that clean material on special crushers and enrich it using gas diffusion.
Public actions in the event of an alert
In the event of an accident with the release of radioactive substances in the absence of instructions in the message, you must protect yourself from radiation. To do this, you should use the time means (gas mask, respirator) as soon as possible, and in their absence - a scarf, bandage, scarf, and so on. It is necessary to take refuge in the nearest building or your own apartment. Outerwear and shoes should be placed in a film or bag, close windows and doors, as well as ventilation openings. Be sure to turn on the TV, radio and wait for messages about further actions. The room should be away from windows. Compulsory measures are being taken to seal the apartment. To do this, improvised means close up all the cracks. Opened products should be placed in bags or film, put in a refrigerator or cabinet with doors. The apartment must have a supply of water. It is collected in containers with tightly screwed caps. When receiving media recommendations, it is necessary to carry out prophylaxis with an iodine preparation (potassium iodide, for example). If they are not, you can use 5% solution (3-5 drops per 250 ml for adults and 1-2 per 100 ml for children). After 6-7 hours, the reception should be repeated. It should be remembered that iodine preparations are not recommended for pregnant women. All water-resistant products should be washed with food and during cooking.
Evacuation
Upon receipt of the message should collect all the necessary things. These are documents, medicines, money, products, remedies, including those at hand. The weight and size of backpacks and bags should be such that one person can easily carry them. In preparation for the evacuation, you must carefully listen to the messages. They will give recommendations on when and how to use protective equipment. In the case of a signal about evacuation, before leaving the apartment, it is necessary to remove products from the refrigerator, remove perishable substances, turn off all devices (gas, electric). In addition, a tablet should be prepared where it says “In the quarter number ___ there are no tenants”. Leaving the room, they hang her on the door. Being on the street, it is necessary to protect the respiratory system and skin. You need to move calmly without raising dust. Do not put bags and backpacks directly on the ground, you can use a newspaper or polyethylene. Unnecessarily, you should not sit down and touch objects, do not walk on bushes and grass. In the process of moving around the infected area, it is forbidden to smoke, eat or drink.
Living in a Contaminated Area
After evacuation, returning to the village is possible only with the permission of the competent services. Depending on the power of the accident and the amount of discarded substances, the radiation background on the ground is determined. When living in an area where the degree of pollution is higher than normal, but below life-threatening limits, a special behavior regime is established. Along with this, preventive measures are taken to prevent the penetration of harmful compounds into the body of people with water and food. The area of direct residence should be moistened if there is a hard surface. If it is not there, the grass coughs, the upper soil soy is removed. This area is also humidified.
When working on personal plots, it is necessary to use fabric dust masks, dressings or respirators. There must be a spare set of protective clothing and shoes, hats. To reduce contamination with radioactive substances, potash, lime and other fertilizers, as well as peat, are introduced into the soil. All grown products pass special control. Do not eat fish and other aquatic animals in the area of infection. The collection of berries, mushrooms, herbs, as well as subsequent harvesting operations are carried out exclusively with the permission of the local authorities according to the results of radiation monitoring.
In the event of a health hazard due to an accident with radiation emissions, the public is notified by the civil defense and emergency departments. Some information can be obtained in the housing department and other authorized organizations, educational institutions, managers and employees of various enterprises in advance. In particular, it is necessary to find out the location of the radiation protection shelter, organizations where protective equipment will be issued in case of an accident. You should also know the address of the evacuation, medical center (nearest), the phone numbers of officials authorized to carry out the evacuation and other events in emergency situations.
Finally
Given the danger of radioactive objects, it is necessary to develop effective measures to prevent disasters, to improve the professional level of nuclear power plant employees. All authorized bodies should be involved in these activities. Great responsibility for security rests with the government.