nuclear-news

According to the US NRC, during planned inspection of Indian Point Nuclear Power Station “Entergy identified baffle/former bolts with either visual anomalies or ultrasonic indications. All vessel internal examinations have been successfully completed with no anomalies other than the baffle/former bolts.” http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/event-status/event/2016/20160330en.html

Entergy offered more details in a Press Release: “Engineers identified missing bolts, and bars meant to hold them in place, and other degradation requiring replacement of the bolts. Each bolt, about two inches long and made of stainless steel, holds plate inserts together inside the reactor.” http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hundreds-of-inspections-completed-on-indian-point-unit-2-replacement-of-reactor-liner-bolts-planned-300242845.html

There are many bolts because there are many plates. Although there were “only” 11% damaged, the damage maybe concentrated because loss of one bolt could increase stresses in the surrounding areas. Thus, one suspects that there may have been plate failure or almost failure. [1] Apparently, even without total failure it can cause serious damage to the…