nuclear-news

Fort Calhoun, 1st nuclear plant offline due to Polar vortex

Omaha Public Power District said in a release that the sub-freezing temperatures caused an ice build-up on one of six sluice gates in the plant’s Missouri River water-intake structure.

The ice build-up was enough to keep the gate from fully closing. All of the gates must be able to close in case of flooding, so this meant the plant had to shut down, even though no flooding is predicted.

Workers checking the plant first noticed the ice buildup Wednesday night. Operators then began analyzing the situation and notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of the non-emergency condition that would require the plant to shut down.

OPPD said the plant went offline at 9 a.m. The shutdown took place with no complications.

January 9, 2014 - Posted by arclight2011part2 | Uncategorized