http://www.beyondnuclear.org/home/2019/10/23/peach-bottoms-reactor-shutdown-mishap-raises-questions.html
[For the 'nuclear is not a bridge to renewables' file.
links in online article]
Peach Bottom’s reactor shutdown mishap raises questions
Early in the morning of October 21, 2019, the operators of the Peach
Bottom Unit 3 atomic power plant were preparing to shut down the reactor
for refueling and routine maintenance. The control room operator
manually turned the Reactor Mode Switch to “SHUTDOWN” but it failed to
send the signal for an automatic SCRAM. This aging Reactor Mode Switch
has several settings (“SHUTDOWN,” “REFUEL,” “START&HOTSTBY,” “RUN”) with
multiple electric contacts. In this case, the control rods didn’t insert
into the reactor core to slow down and stop the atomic reaction. The car
analogy would be you’re out on the highway and you put your foot on the
brake and nothing happens. Not good. Good thing, however, nukes and cars
have options. Granted in Peach Bottom’s case, the two emergency SCRAM
pushbuttons worked more reliably than, say, grabbing the emergency brake
on your automobile. But the idea is you want reliable safety
performance systems in the first place. Things wear and tear, embrittle,
crack, corrode, vibrate loose, catch fire. But unlike your car, Peach
Bottom is seeking a license extension to operate for 80 years on fewer
inspections and less oversight. Beyond Nuclear is still asking NRC for
answers to questions on the environmental impacts of a nuclear accident
caused by mismanaged wear and tear during 2033 to 2054 for irreplaceable
and inaccessible safety systems, structures and components that don't
have redundancy. This would include the reactor pressure vessel, the
containment structure, and hundreds miles of safety-related electrical
cable.
--
Darryl McMahon
Freelance Project Manager (sustainable systems)
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