nuclear-news

Kyodo: Alarm sounds at MOX reactor in Japan, no “actual leakage” detected — Nuclear fuel loaded inside July 30th, 2012 By ENENews  (Subscription Only) Title: Monju alarm on sodium leakage malfunctions Source: Kyodo  

Japan Atomic Energy Agency said an alarm was activated early Monday morning indicating a sodium coolant leakage at its Monju prototype fast breeder reactor in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture.

No actual leakage or any effect on the surrounding environment was detected, according to the agency.

The Monju project started as part of the government’s policy to establish a nuclear fuel cycle, in which spent nuclear fuel from power plants is to be reprocessed for use in plutonium-uranium mixed oxide fuel.

Kyodo report translated by EXSKF: “Monju Reactor is stopped, but the nuclear fuel is loaded in the reactor. To cool the fuel, liquid sodium is being used in the primary and secondary cooling systems. The alarm was set off by one of the detectors placed around the secondary cooling system pipes in the reactor auxiliary building. The workers went to the site to do the visual inspection, but no sodium leak was observed, says JAEA.” http://enenews.com/kyodo-alarm-sounds-at-mox-reactor-in-japan-no-actual-leakage-detected