Almost simultaneously with the premiere of the rating series "Chernobyl", the construction of the New Safe Confinement was completed at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant - a protective arch structure over the old shelter, which will prevent the ingress of radioactive materials into the environment. In order to protect the structure from moisture and temperature extremes, ROCKWOOL non-combustible stone wool insulation was chosen as an insulating material for the NSC.
In early June, the French Foreign Minister officially announced the completion of the construction of the New Safe Confinement (NSC), erected over the Shelter object of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
Work on the construction of the insulating structure began in 2007. The purpose of the NSC is to prevent further leakage of radioactive releases into the environment and create conditions for dismantling the Shelter and carrying out work with nuclear waste in the long term. It is also necessary to protect the destroyed block from the ingress of water and other negative effects of external factors - this accelerates the process of destruction of the sarcophagus, which was quickly built in 1986.
High-quality thermal insulation plays an important role in the effectiveness of the new shelter. For example, in order to maintain a comfortable microclimate inside a protective structure, it is extremely important to protect the sarcophagus from temperature extremes. To ensure fire safety, the material must be non-flammable. It should also not change its properties over the course of its service life. After research and tests, ROCKWOOL thermal insulation made of non-combustible stone wool was chosen as an insulating material for the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which can withstand temperatures over 1000 degrees Celsius without melting. In addition, Rockwool moisture resistant solutions reduce the risk of corrosion under the insulation. They provide effective protection against moisture penetration throughout the entire thickness of the insulation layer. And due to their high vapor permeability, they reduce the risk of condensation formation, creating conditions for the natural drying of structures.
The term of effective operation of ROCKWOOL stone wool thermal insulation applied at nuclear power plants is at least 100 years. This is a mandatory requirement for the materials of the building envelope that can protect the environment and future generations from the harmful effects of radiation. It is assumed that the NSC will provide protection for the emergency unit for 100 years.
