Cracks May Force Shutdown of UK Reactors

Cracks may force shutdown of UK reactors
10:52 24 March 2005
Exclusive from New Scientist Print Edition
Rob Edwards

Reactors in many UK nuclear power stations are in danger of developing cracks in their graphite cores. This could force some plants to close down earlier than expected, dealing a blow to the idea that nuclear power can become a "green" option in the fight against global warming.

Documents obtained by New Scientist under the UK's Freedom of Information Act have revealed unsuspected problems with the country's ageing advanced gas-cooled reactors (AGRs). Government nuclear inspectors say they have uncovered weaknesses in the safety analyses carried out by British Energy, the company that runs the reactors.

The UK's 14 AGRs provide nearly a fifth of the country's electricity. The graphite bricks that form part of their core help sustain the nuclear reaction by slowing down fast-moving neutrons. They also play a vital part in maintaining the core's structural integrity.

While irradiation and thermal stress would eventually cause the graphite bricks to crack, new estimates suggest these cracks could develop up to two years earlier than thought, according to British Energy. In a letter in August 2004, the company warned the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) of "possible errors" in the computer models used to predict the onset of cracking.
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7171

advanced yet obsolete. Sounds like it was engineered for early replacement.

The British used to make cars like this. That's why people drive Mazda sports cars instead of MGs.

I don't know where all that North Sea oil goes, but if the plants go down, then wouldn't some of it go to the UK??

I remember seeing a few nuke plants as I traveled around England. Ugly suckers.

Oil is much better off being used for vehicles as well as plastics.

fatalities.

The last scene in "Oh, Lucky Man" makes reference to it.

I should hope they pay attention to the cracks in the graphite pile.