Power Plant In Slovakia Research Articles

Testing the Bioeconomic Options of Transitioning to Solid Recovered Fuel: A Case Study of a Thermal Power Plant in Slovakia

This paper deals with the state and perspectives of bioenergy development in the context of exploiting the potential of available natural resources. We analyse the economic benefits of transitioning to alternative biofuel within the research task in cooperation with the Vojany black coal power plant. Within the applied methodology, a non-parametric data envelopment analysis method was used to confirm the most economically efficient types of fuels used in the combustion process. The assumption of fuel efficiency was confirmed by testing fuel combustion combinations directly in the power plant. The transition to 100% combustion of solid recovered fuel creates the potential for sustainable production of the analysed power plant and compliance with the current emission values of basic pollutants and new stricter limits, which will be binding in the EU from August 2021. The proposed solutions were analysed by Monte Carlo simulation. An estimate of the economic results achieved by the power plant was simulated, assuming a complete transition to solid recovered fuel. The results of the study support the feasibility of creating a circular waste management market, with the Vojany black coal power plant as the largest user of solid recovered fuel in Slovakia and abroad.

Design of Experiments of hidden resources in the tailing pond – a case study for thermal power plant in Slovakia

Thermal energy is the second most important source in Slovakia after electricity, which represents almost 13.6 % of total energy production. In one of the Slovak thermal power plant Vojany (EVO) occurs by coal combustion as an undesirable slag ash mixture deposited on the tailing pond. By using environmentally sound technologies it is necessary to ensure adequate management of this waste, security and long-term stability of tailing pond. The aim of the paper is to formulate conclusions from the composition structure of EVO tailing pond and then its use. Authors realized as the main method the Design of Experiments, where the research was to investigate boreholes based on diagonal and cross-section. From the results obtained there was found that volume of tailing pond is 5,164,800 m3. In this volume there is 1,045,319 m3 of a low ash, which represents cca 20%, which can be repeatedly reused in coincineration with black coal. The development of combustion technology suggests that in the near future it will be possible to use the whole volume of the examined tailing pond for co-incineration, thus reclaiming of the tailing pond basin in an environmental manner.

Determination of 79Se using a volatilisation method and liquid scintillation spectrometry

The operation of nuclear power plants generates large quantities of radioactive materials or waste, which need to be characterised before decommissioning or for final disposal in radioactive waste repositories. The nuclear operators in Slovakia must declare 19 critical radionuclides in all radioactive waste before storage in the regional waste repository. This article describes a simple and rapid method for the determination of one critical radionuclide, 79Se, in radioactive waste. The conditions for the effective distillation of selenium from various mixtures of HCl and HBr solutions were studied. The highest selenium recoveries were achieved in a mixture of 6.5 mol L−1 HCl and 18.3 mol L−1 HBr in 7:1 vol ratio. The method was applied for the determination of 79Se in radioactive concentrates and sludge samples from nuclear power plants in Slovakia. 79Se was measured with a TRI CARB 3100 TR liquid scintillation counter.

Radiocarbon in the atmosphere around the Bohunice nuclear power plant in Slovakia

Radiocarbon variations associated with releases from Bohunice nuclear power plant have been observed in monthly atmospheric 14CO2 samples during the last 30 years with peak radiocarbon activity enrichment levels as high as 350‰. Simultaneously, relative depletion in radiocarbon levels as low as −10‰ has been observed due to radiocarbon-free fossil fuel emissions in the region (Suess effect).

Anthropogenic 137Cs on atmospheric aerosols in Bratislava and around nuclear power plants in Slovakia

Nuclear power plants (NPPs) have been one of the sources of anthropogenic radionuclides in the environment. This work combines the results from monitoring stations around NPPs in Slovakia (Mochovce and Jaslovské Bohunice) and academic measurements at the Comenius University campus in Bratislava. Most of the atmospheric 137Cs in this region come from the resuspension of the Chernobyl-derived 137Cs, as well as caesium produced during nuclear weapons testing. By comparison of the obtained results at NPPs with Bratislava data, radiation impacts of the NPPs on the local environments have been estimated to be negligible.

Analysis and assessment of environmental impacts of small hydro power plant in Slovakia

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is an important process that, prior to approval of the investment plan, can provide a detailed examination of the likely and foreseeable impacts of proposed construction activity on the environment. The objective of this paper is to apply a specific methodology for the analysis and evaluation of the environmental impacts of selected constructions, namely, small hydro power plant, using matrix of impacts. This analysis method is intended not only to increase the clarity and precision of the evaluation process, but also to align it with the requirements of the environmental impact assessment system. This modification should improve the reliability of the environmental impact assessment, and could moreover also be applied to other infrastructure projects. Comparison of alternatives and designation of the optimal variant are implemented based on selected criteria that objectively describe the characteristic lines of the planned alternatives of activity and their impact on the environment. The use of proper EIA procedures can help the decision-makers to formulate proper activities based on qualified decisions. The designed project in Spišské Bystré, Slovakia is used as a case study to clarify and exemplify the methodology and techniques.

RADIATION EXPOSURE OF THE POPULATION FROM 222Rn AND OTHER NATURAL RADIONUCLIDES AROUND MOCHOVCE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, SLOVAKIA.

In this article, the effective dose to the population from natural sources of ionizing radiation in the vicinity of Mochovce nuclear power plant in Slovakia is presented. All major contributions to the effective dose were taken into account, including the contributions from gamma radiation of soil and rocks, cosmic radiation, and indoor and outdoor radon and thoron. On the basis of recent indoor radon measurements in Slovak cities and publicly available data about radon concentration in the soil air, a roughly linear relationship was found between these variables. Consequently, the annual effective dose from indoor radon and thoron was conservatively estimated. For the area of interest, a map of conservatively estimated potential effective doses was created. For the villages in the vicinity of Mochovce, the conservatively estimated effective dose to the population from natural sources ranged from 5.4 to 14.6 mSv, which is four orders of magnitude higher than the contribution of radioactive discharges from Mochovce nuclear power plant.

Probabilistic Safety Analysis of the Nuclear Power Plants in Slovakia

Probabilistic Safety Analysis of the Nuclear Power Plants in Slovakia This paper gives the results of the safety analysis of the nuclear power plants in Slovakia. The probabilistic assessment of NPP concrete containment and technologically steel segment penetration for Probabilistic Safety Analysis (PSA) level 2 of VVER 440/213 in the case of seismic and LOCA accident is presented. There is showed summary of calculation models and calculation methods for the probability analysis of the structural integrity considering load, material and model uncertainties. The numerical simulations on the base of LHS method were realized in the system ANSYS and FReET. Copyright©2010 Preprint of KONBiN

Emergency zoning around nuclear power plants in Slovakia

This paper presents summary information on emergency preparedness and planning in Slovakia. Safety policy, current and possible future requirements to the emergency on-site plans, off-site plans and emergency transport orders, as well as to the documentation, their regular updating and review are summarised. National emergency preparedness organisation, zones used, and special and technical facilities are briefly described. PSA requirements, applications and interface between deterministic and probabilistic analyses in support of emergency planning are given. A legislative background and the approach to the determination of Emergency Planning Zones (EPZs) around the nuclear facilities are provided. Trends and future plans for redefinition of emergency zones are outlined.

Environmental arsenic exposure from a coal-burning power plant as a potential risk factor for nonmelanoma skin carcinoma: results from a case-control study in the district of Prievidza, Slovakia.

To investigate the risk of arsenic exposure from a coal-burning power plant in Slovakia on nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) development, a 1996-1999 population-based case-control study was conducted with 264 cases and 286 controls. Exposure assessment was based on residential history and annual emissions (Asres1, Asres2) and on nutritional habits and arsenic content in food (Asnut1, Asnut2). Asres1 was assessed as a function of the distance of places of residence to the plant. Asres2 additionally considered workplace locations. Asnut1 was used to calculate arsenic uptake by weighting food frequencies with arsenic concentrations and annual consumption of food items. Asnut2 additionally considered consumption of local products. Age- and gender-adjusted risk estimates for NMSC in the highest exposure category (90th vs. 30th percentile) were 1.90 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.39, 2.60) for Asres1, 1.90 (95% CI: 1.38, 2.62) for Asres2, 1.19 (95% CI: 0.64, 2.12) for Asnut1, and 1.83 (95% CI: 0.98, 3.43) for Asnut2. No interaction was found between arsenic exposure and dietary and residential data. Other plant emissions could have confounded the distance-based exposure variables. Consumption of contaminated vegetables and fruits could be confounded by the protective effects of such a diet. Nevertheless, the authors found an excess NMSC risk for environmental arsenic exposure.

Airborne arsenic and urinary excretion of arsenic metabolites during boiler cleaning operations in a Slovak coal-fired power plant.

Little information is available on the relationship between occupational exposure to inorganic arsenic in coal fly ash and urinary excretion of arsenic metabolites. This study ws undertaken in a coal-fired power plant in Slovakia during a routine maintenance outage. Arsenic was measured in the breathing zone of workers during 5 consecutive workdays, and urine samples were obtained for analysis of arsenic metabolites--inorganic arsenic (Asi), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA)--prior to the start of each shift. Results from a small number of cascade impactor air samples indicated that approximately 90% of total particle mass and arsenic was present in particle size fractions >/= 3.5 micron. The 8-hr time-weighted average (TWA) mean arsenic air concentration was 48.3 microg/m3 (range 0.17-375.2) and the mean sum of urinary arsenic (SigmaAs) metabolites was 16.9 microg As/g creatinine (range 2.6-50.8). For an 8-hr TWA of 10 microg/m3 arsenic from coal fly ash, the predicted mean concentration of the SigmaAs urinary metabolites was 13.2 microg As/G creatinine [95% confidence interval (CI), 10.1-16.3). Comparisons with previously published studies of exposure to arsenic trioxide vapors and dusts in copper smelters suggest that bioavailability of arsenic from airborne coal fly ash (as indicated by urinary excretion) is about one-third that seen in smelters and similar settings. Arsenic compound characteristics, matrix composition, and particle size distribution probably play major roles in determining actual uptake of airborne arsenic.

Airborne Arsenic and Urinary Excretion of Arsenic Metabolites during Boiler Cleaning Operations in a Slovak Coal-Fired Power Plant

Little information is available on the relationship between occupational exposure to inorganic arsenic in coal fly ash and urinary excretion of arsenic metabolites. This study ws undertaken in a coal-fired power plant in Slovakia during a routine maintenance outage. Arsenic was measured in the breathing zone of workers during 5 consecutive workdays, and urine samples were obtained for analysis of arsenic metabolites--inorganic arsenic (Asi), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA)--prior to the start of each shift. Results from a small number of cascade impactor air samples indicated that approximately 90% of total particle mass and arsenic was present in particle size fractions >/= 3.5 micron. The 8-hr time-weighted average (TWA) mean arsenic air concentration was 48.3 microg/m3 (range 0.17-375.2) and the mean sum of urinary arsenic (SigmaAs) metabolites was 16.9 microg As/g creatinine (range 2.6-50.8). For an 8-hr TWA of 10 microg/m3 arsenic from coal fly ash, the predicted mean concentration of the SigmaAs urinary metabolites was 13.2 microg As/G creatinine [95% confidence interval (CI), 10.1-16.3). Comparisons with previously published studies of exposure to arsenic trioxide vapors and dusts in copper smelters suggest that bioavailability of arsenic from airborne coal fly ash (as indicated by urinary excretion) is about one-third that seen in smelters and similar settings. Arsenic compound characteristics, matrix composition, and particle size distribution probably play major roles in determining actual uptake of airborne arsenic.