nuclear-news

Nuclear reactor malfunctions, shuts down at Indian Point

Nuclear reactor malfunctions, shuts down at Indian Point.Breakdown is second problem in two weeks

By Alexa James

Times Herald-Record

Posted: May 28, 2009 – 10:39 AM

BUCHANAN – A nuclear reactor at the Indian Point power plant in Buchanan automatically shut down this morning due to a malfunction. This is the site’s third unplanned break-down in three months.

According to officials with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the problem occurred around 5:30 a.m., when “a high vibration condition was detected on a main feedwater pump” in reactor Unit 3. The malfunction triggered a “high-level alarm,” then a turbine trip, then the reactor trip, said the NRC, in a statement.

This is the second time in two months that Unit 3 has malfunctioned. Plant operators manually tripped the reactor on May 15 after a main feedwater regulating valve in a steam generator failed, resulting in rising coolant levels that could not be controlled………………………….

These problems are occurring at a critical time for Entergy Nuclear, the New Orleans-based company that owns and operates Indian Point. Entergy is currently applying for a 20-year operating license renewal. It’s current licenses expire by 2015.

Indian Point’s critics, who include the state of New York and environmental groups, are formally petitioning the NRC to deny the license renewal. They’ve questioned the ability of the aging plant to operate safely and efficiently for another two decades.

Nuclear reactor malfunctions, shuts down at Indian Point. | recordonline.com

May 29, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, radioactive, uranium