nuclear-news

Duke shuts down Upstate nuclear reactor after small radioactive water leak

Duke Energy temporarily shut down a reactor at the Oconee Nuclear Station in the Upstate Monday after a small radioactive water leak was discovered inside one of its containment buildings.

Duke spokeswoman B.J. Gatten said the leak was not a danger to the public, as it occurred inside a containment building that houses Unit 1 at the plant near Seneca. However, she said the unit would have to be taken offline for several days so crews could find the source and repair it.

“It will take several days before we know exactly what our repair plan is going to be,” she told South Carolina Radio Network. “But, in the meantime, we anticipate no problems meeting customers’ needs. And there has been no threat to the public or our employees.”

Gatten said the leak comes from a water system used to cool the reactor while it is in operation. The leak is less than one gallon every 10 minutes, she added. She said operators first noticed indications of a leak on Friday, and spent the weekend trying to determine its size and location.

Oconee has three reactor units located on the site. Another unit was already shut down at the time for a scheduled refueling, which is done every two years.

http://www.southcarolinaradionetwork.com/2013/11/11/duke-shuts-down-upstate-nuclear-reactor-after-small-radioactive-water-leak/

November 12, 2013 - Posted by arclight2011part2 | Uncategorized