Publication Laka-library:
Safety Risks from damaged Pressure Tubes (1993)
| Author | Stan Gray, Greenpeace |
| Date | February 1993 |
| Classification | 6.01.3.30/07 (NUCLEAR SAFETY - REACTORS - CANDU) |
| Front | 
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From the publication:
Nuclear inspections have detected a major design flaw in Ontario's CANDU nuclear stations, one that presents a serious threat to public safety. These concern the "pressure tubes" in the nuclear core, which are becoming damaged in ways that were not originally anticipated. The problem is advanced at the Bruce A plant which has experienced numerous shutdowns due to pressure tube "fretting." The "fretting" represents a structural breakdown common to other CANDU plants in Ontario. It has been detected and documented by the Atomic Energy Control Board at Bruce B and Darlington as well as Bruce A, with the clear indication that Ontario Hydro has been unable to resolve it in a satisfactory manner. These problems are precipitating a major crisis: within the last month, for example, the AECB ordered the shutdown of two units due to pressure tube damage: Unit 3 at Bruce A and Unit 6 at Bruce B. (At the same time Bruce unit 4 was taken out of service for long-term repairs to the steam generators.)
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