nuclear-news

Corrosion at Hamaoka nuclear power station

Corrosion confirmed at Japan nuke plant — Seawater flowed into reactor pressure vessel — Years before prospects will be known http://enenews.com/corrosion-confirmed-at-japan-nuke-plant-seawater-flowed-into-reactor-years-before-prospects-for-reactor-will-be-known
 July 26th, 2012 By ENENews  In a fresh development adding to local worries, Chubu
Electric Power Co. said Wednesday that many parts of reactor 5 at its Hamaoka nuclear power station in Shizuoka Prefecture have been confirmed corroded.

The corrosion was apparently caused by the seawater that was found to
have flowed into the reactor in May last year during work to halt the
plant, Chubu Electric told a meeting with experts hosted by the NISA.

Chubu Electric said corrosion affects the equipment that raises and
lowers the control rods, which moderate the chain reaction in the
core.
the poorly protected site could suffer the same quake-tsunami
double-punch that knocked out Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s Fukushima No.
1 power plant in March 2011.

Some 400 tons of seawater are believed to have flowed into the reactor
because 43 narrow tubes in a steam condenser were broken, and 5 tons
of the total apparently reached the pressure vessel.

In addition, tubes in a different condenser have been deformed,
apparently because of corrosion, the firm said.

Chubu Electric will carry out the probes until December before
announcing full details. The industry ministry’s agency said it will
take years before it can tell prospects for the reactor.

July 29, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, safety