Nuclear watchdog's Torness questions

Bryan Copland • Published 19 Jan 2012 09:23 4 Comments

A REGULATOR has recommended enhancements to Torness Power Station's safety systems following an invasion of jellyfish which forced the shutdown of both nuclear reactors last summer.

A quarterly site report on the EDF Energy-run Dunbar plant by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), relating to the period July 1 to September 30 last year, said it had written to Torness regarding "further areas of improvement" in the wake of the week-long incident, which began last June 28.

High volumes of jellyfish on the seawater screens - which filter debris out of the water which enters the plant for use as a coolant - had caused one reactor unit to shut down for two days and the other for a week.

The report stated: "The station took appropriate action to shutdown the reactors, when it became clear that water supplies to systems performing a safety function could not be ensured in the longer term.

"It confirmed the requirements of the operating rules were met throughout the event. However, the circumstances presented a challenge to station systems related to safety, and we await the station's response to the points ONR has raised regarding potential areas for improvement."

Meanwhile, the ONR said that the station had "not progressed sufficiently in some areas, and specifically with regard to self-closing hazard barrier doors".

There were also concerns over a radiation leak from two pipelines last February, and a "shortfall" in the station's checks on a safety relief valve.

Overall, the ONR said that "the arrangements made and implemented by the site in response to safety requirements were deemed to be adequate in the areas inspected".

An EDF Energy spokeswoman explained that the jellyfish shutdown had been a "precautionary measure", saying: "The shutdown cooling systems performed in a satisfactory manner and at no point was there a risk to our ability to cool the reactors or nuclear safety in general."

EDF has "agreed to address" a small number of hazard barrier doors which had not been designed to close automatically, while it has drawn up procedures to ensure that inspections on safety valves take place in the future.

Added the spokeswoman: "In February last year, during routine sampling, we detected abnormal readings in water in one borehole. The readings were extremely low - one would have to drink one tonne of the fluid found to receive a dose equal to 30 minutes' flying time in an aeroplane.

"The drip was fixed immediately and we carried out a review of the entire pipe. The ONR has since asked for a more detailed report on this, which we have provided.

"Under our policy of openness and transparency, all of these events were communicated to our Local Liaison Committee, which includes local residents, and local government representatives."

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• 

  LocalLass
  Unregistered User
  Feb 4, 15:49
  Report comment

  I was sitting in the pub the other day and at the table next to me was a young lad reading this article aloud to his mates. Clearly 2 or more of them worked at Torness one of them saying (whilst laughing) if only the public knew the truth?
  
  This certainly got the alarm bells ringing so listened in a little more.
  
  The same lad then went on to tell his mates these apparent safety critical doors are being left open every other day. (Still laughing) He then talked about the jelly fish incident telling how it was a little worse than described and infact did result in reactor cooling temperatures rising....so clearly not just a precaution after all.
  
  As if all this wasn't bad enough the other lad whom I presume works there also talked about how a radioactive liquid is discharged into the sea every high tide?????
  
  It's about time these people start telling the truth, I also find it concerning the juvenile attitude of these youngsters concerning a very serious topic.
  
  In my opinion a radioactive leak of any magnitude is very serious indeed, why does it sound like EDF is trying to downplay it.
  
  So Torness...what is this liquid you are pollouting our seas with? how often are these doors really left open? And what is the exact set of circumstances concerning the jelly fish incident. Better still why not make the report to the ONR public.
  
  A concerned neighbour to Torness.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 6     No 0

• 

  Someone
  Unregistered User
  Feb 4, 20:35
  Report comment

  This should never have been built. Nuclear power is not safe, if ever there was profit before people it applies to nuclear power.
  
  Remember http://tinyurl.com/apyscu
  
  Recommend?   Yes 2     No 1

• 

  Dr Christmas Jones
  Unregistered User
  Feb 5, 13:13
  Report comment

  If this is indeed true get in touch with your MP or MSP. Don't expect EDF to reply to an Internet forum.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 5

• 

  Someone
  Unregistered User
  Feb 12, 16:14
  Report comment

  "If this is indeed true get in touch with your MP or MSP. Don't expect EDF to reply to an Internet forum."
  
  .
  
  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7096954.stm
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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