The Maria reactor was to start on May 8
The Maria nuclear reactor stopped working on April 1. The license of the State Atomicism Agency has expiredand the process of issuing a new one has not been completed. The technical break in the reactor's operation was to last until May 8. Meanwhile, the required consents and permits are not today. Where does this delay come from? The Ministry of Industry and the National Center for Nuclear Research issued a message.
“Intensive substantive consultations”
“Currently The procedure for obtaining a reactor service permit is pending under the administrative procedure On the basis of the provisions of the Atomic Law and Executive Regulations, taking into account the recommendations contained in the conductors of the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding the safety of nuclear reactors ” – we read in the message. As stated, currently” intensive substantive consultations with PAA experts in order to introduce the expected modifications of the originally submitted documentation and the end of the above. procedures “.
The ministry calms down
It has also been added that “the break mentioned currently does not pose a threat to the safety of radiopharmaceutical supplies for the National Nuclear Medicine Depotsbecause from mid -April this year. A radioactive material bought from external suppliers is used to produce them. “Industry Ministry and the National Center for Nuclear Research add that” deliveries for domestic recipients are treated priority. ”
The reactor produces Molibden-99
“In turn, in the case of export production, changes in deliveries are individually consulted with individual recipients” – we read in a message. Let us remind you that The reactor who is named after Maria Skłodowska-Curie does not produce molybdenum-99 during downtimei.e. an important isotope used in nuclear medicine. Maria is responsible for 10 percent. world production of this element used in the production of radiopharmaceuticals. Molibden-99 This is produced by only seven nuclear reactors around the world.
Maria without constant financing?
Jakub Wiech from the Energetyka24.com portal emphasized at the end of March that Maria “ Probably the only such unit in the world that has no constant financing“, and grants play a large role in financing the reactor. The government subsidy covers only 10 percent of the activity.” To solve all Maria's financial problems for the whole year, it would be enough for the money we spend in 14 days on mining ” – wrote the journalist.
See also: Resignation at the National Center for Nuclear Research. More on this subject in the text “Confusion in Polish science. The director of the National Nuclear Research Center was dismissed”.
Sources: IAR, Ministry of Industry, X