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| Westinghouse PWR vessel |
Doel 3 near Antwerp, Belgium was closed last Thursday after an
inspection found cracks in the steel reactor vessel which holds the radioactive nuclear core
[cut-away drawing, vessel in blue]. The power plant is located on the Dutch border where about nine million people live within a 45 mile radius. Preliminary
ultrasound results indicate cracks in the steel vessel. The plant operator said the cracking was related to manufacturing issues not age. Some vessel cracking is expected in a plant that generates steam for turbines using fission which emits intense neutron radiation, especially in a reactor nearing the end of its serviceable life. Doel 3 went into service in 1982. Cracking would require the plant be decommissioned immediately. The thirty year old pressurized water reactor uses a vessel forged in the 1970s by Rotterdam Dry Dock Company of the Netherlands, a firm that went bankrupt. The nuclear plant is operated by Electrabel, a subsidiary of France's GDF Suez. Doel 3 was scheduled for decommissioning in 2022 as part of Belgium's decision to phase out its seven nuclear reactors by 2025. Belgium generates about half its electricity needs by nuclear power. But unless the owner can prove the vessel is safe--unlikely, say experts--the end is now for Doel 3. The reactor has been off line since June for maintenance but will remain shut down pending more tests. Other Belgium reactors will also be tested for similar cracking. Belgium officials think there are about 21 nuclear reactors worldwide with the same reactor vessel manufacture.
Four of these are known to be in Virginia, operated by Dominion Resources. Regulators from across Europe
will examine "the anomalies" at the site. A Dominion Resources spokesman said they were aware of the Belgium problem, but have not been notified by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
US Person's advice : don't wait to be told you have a problem!
