Romania seeks solutions for cooling nuclear reactors amid Danube shallowing

Romanian authorities are considering several engineering solutions to ensure the necessary volume of water for cooling the reactors of Cernavoda NPP. The reason is the extremely low water level in the Danube.

The options were discussed by the interministerial committee Bala-Cernavodă, which deals with ensuring the necessary level of the Danube near the nuclear power plant's water intake.

Among the possible measures are deepening the channels, using barges to redirect the current, constructing a special hydraulic structure, installing a mobile inflatable dam, and placing pumps on barges.

Channels to be deepened to at least two meters

One of the options is deepening the channels about 30 meters wide to ensure a depth of at least two meters.

According to the committee's assessment, this would allow directing a larger volume of water to the old Danube riverbed and further towards Cernavoda. The increase in flow and water velocity could also reduce sediment accumulation in the new channel.

However, the implementation of dredging works is already hampered by the critically low water level. Due to it, there is a risk that vessels involved in the works may get stuck on sandbanks.

A 150-meter structure and a floating dam considered

Another option involves the construction of a roughly 150-meter transverse hydraulic structure, which would influence the direction of the current and help maintain the necessary water level near the Cernavoda NPP water intake.

Also considered is the installation of a mobile inflatable dam and the use of pumping systems on barges. Such solutions can become an additional way to supply water in case of further decline in the Danube level.

There is no final decision yet on which option will be implemented.

Danube problems have already affected Cernavoda NPP operations

Earlier, Kurs Ukrainy reported that Romania completely shut down its only nuclear power plant and was forced to increase electricity imports, in particular from Ukraine.

Current actions of the authorities are aimed at ensuring stable access of Cernavoda NPP to water for cooling the reactors even under further shallowing of the Danube.

Based on materials from: Agerpres, Antena 3 CNN