While the unit is offline, about a third of the units 177. Davisbesse is under consideration for a 20year operating license renewal from the nrc. Oct 17, 2011 new york, oct 17 reuters firstenergy said it discovered small cracks in the concrete shield building surrounding the containment structure at the davis besse nuclear power plant in ohio, which. Davisbesse, oh cracks in nozzles on the control rod drive mechanism penetrated through the head of the reactor vessel. Cuts for replacing steam generators in 2011 and 2014 caused 26 sections of shield building rebar to be broken or cracked.
Davisbesse nuclear reactor power plant is located on lake erie in oak harbor, ohio, 20 miles east of toledo. Davisbesse is operated by energy harbor throughout its operation, davisbesse has been the site of several safety incidents that affected the plants operation. Is davisbesse nuclear power plant causing cancer in toledo. The real news, however, is that three others are offline two due to serious safety concerns. Fenoc filing, notification of documents related to davisbesse shield building, including. Firstenergy finds cracks at ohio nuclear reactor reuters. Davis besse is operated by energy harbor throughout its operation, davis besse has been the site of several safety incidents that affected the plants operation.
On february 16, 2002, davis besse was shut down for refueling and routine inspections, an operation that included checking for cracks in the reactor head nozzles. Two new 74fttall steam generators being transported to the davisbesse nuclear power. Ctlgroup was onsite when cracks were first identified and assisted the client by identifying nondestructive techniques that would be useful in identifying the presence of cracks within the structure. They will be installed during the scheduled refueling outage in early 2014. Ever since the incident at davisbesse, the nrc has done a lot to make sure their policies and inspections of nuclear power plants in the united states are up to par. Structure keeps out the elements, but a bad concrete pour left an air pocket following reactor head replacement in 2011. Cracking in the shield building concrete was first reported in 2011. In 2011, evidence showed that the concrete shield building around the reactor was cracking. Environmental coalition challenges davis besses experimental steam generator replacement groups seek nrc license amendment safety hearings. Fenoc filing, notification of documents related to davis besse shield building, including. Mar 05, 2015 on october 10, 2011, news broke at davis besse that cracking in the concrete containment shield building had been discovered, during breaching operations to install the third lid in a decade atop the problemplagued reactor.
Davisbesse, oh 14 nuclear nearmisses pictures cbs news. The san onofre victory has bolstered a coalition of citizens groups working to shutter the davis besse nuclear plant while the plants owner and operator, first energy, is planning to replace the plants steam generators in 2014. The davis besse plant comprises one pressurised water reactor with an output capacity of 889mw. Plus, the plant exited a combined steam generator replacement and fuel outage in may the sandusky register reports that cracks first discovered in the shield building at davisbesse in 2011 have grown since then. Davisbesse nuclear power station examines shield building. Oct 29, 2012 davisbesse is under consideration for a 20year operating license renewal from the nrc. This is the location where, in 2002, a footballsized cavity was discovered in the reactor vessel head. Two new 74fttall steam generators being transported to the davis besse nuclear power. With their more rigorous policies in place, they have made great strides in calming the fears of the public that these older nuclear power plants are being properly inspected. The nrc allowed a restart without knowing the cause of the cracking. New cracks found in davisbesse shield building updated jan 12, 2019.
Davisbesse nuclear power station, ohio power technology. The nrc has awarded this twenty year license renewal without having the shield building analysis in hand, keegan, a davisbesse intervenor, added. The degraded shield building is a part 50 issue affecting license renewal o dlr needs to understand if the degradation is agerelated, and if so how it will be managed dlr has prepared a draft rai asking the applicant. A threejudge nuclear regulatory commission administrative panel is heading into a fifth hour of testimony today over the discovery of a new set of cracks in davisbesses. The davisbesse plant comprises one pressurised water reactor with an output capacity of 889mw. Fe have slashed by more than a third the quarterly cash dividend on its common stock as it also forecast lower operating earnings for all of 2014.
Environmental coalition challenges davis besse license extension on shield building cracks. This head replacement, however, is a major milestone because of the history at davis besse. Gap in concrete discovered in davisbesses protective shell. Dec 25, 2012 ohios davisbesse facility, offline much of 2011 because of major repairs and a series of questions about cracks in the reactor building, was just given the green light to restart by the nrc, despite the objections of many nuclear watchdogs and us rep. Enclosure 1 identical to july 3, 2014 post immediately above. As nuclear dominoes fall, davis besse remains in the cross. Posted sep 20, 20 excess steam flows into the twilight sky from the lightwater reactor at the davis. Nuclear regulatory panel hears testimony on davisbesse. Ever since the incident at davis besse, the nrc has done a lot to make sure their policies and inspections of nuclear power plants in the united states are up to par. Davisbesse vessel head replacement as reported on the nrc blog, davisbesse has been shut down for replacement of its pressure vessel head. Borated reactor cooling water leaked through some of the cracks. New york, oct 17 reuters firstenergy said it discovered small cracks in the concrete shield building surrounding the containment structure at the davis besse nuclear power plant in ohio, which.
This head replacement, however, is a major milestone because of the history at davisbesse. These also belong to gdfsuez who wholly owns electrabel. Firstenergy maintained that the cracks were architectural, not structural. How did the nrc decide the shield building at davisbesse is. A severe blizzard some 34 years ago was said to be the cause of cracks discovered last year in the shield building of the davisbesse nuclear power plant. Plus, the plant exited a combined steam generator replacement and fuel outage in may the sandusky register reports that cracks first discovered in the shield building at davis besse in 2011 have grown since then. The blade davisbesse had air gap in shield building firstenergy found flaw while replacing 2 steam generators by tom henry blade staff writer oak harbor, ohio nobody knows why, but there apparently was a problem sealing up davisbesse nuclear power plants shield building after the plants. Throughout its operation, davisbesse has been the site of several safety incidents that affected the plants operation. Specifically, in february 2014 there was a large concrete void discovered within the concreteandrebar wall of the davisbesse. Davisbesse nuclear power station is a nuclear power plant northeast of oak harbor in ottawa county, ohio, united states. The shield building of firstenergy nuclear operating co. The davisbesse shield building is crumbling under its own hubris, with gravity to catch up soon. New york, oct 17 reuters firstenergy said it discovered small cracks in the concrete shield building surrounding the containment structure at the davisbesse nuclear power plant in ohio, which.
Davisbesse nuclear power station begins refueling and. On sunday morning, a fire happened at electrabels highvoltage power station on the site of tihange 3, according. How did the nrc decide the shield building at davisbesse. Because of corrosion found on the head, only a thin stainless steel liner remained between the reactor and the containment building. Fe, announced its davisbesse nuclear power station in oak harbor, ohio, shut down at 12. No bailouts for first energys davisbesse nuclear reactor. Gdfsuez and hitachi plan to build a new nuclear power station at moorside in a pasture by sellafied. Oct 17, 2011 new york, oct 17 reuters firstenergy has discovered small cracks in a concrete shield building at the davis besse nuclear power plant in ohio, which was shut for a reactor vessel head. Akron, ohio, march 5, 2018 prnewswire firstenergy nuclear operating company fenoc, a subsidiary of firstenergy corp. Update 1firstenergy finds cracks at ohio nuclear reactor. In 2018 firstenergy began drilling core boring holes into the concrete wall of the shield building, installing relative humidity probes.
A 6inthick erosion was identified on the reactor vessel head in march 2002. Despite the nrcs determination that the plant is safe for continued operation, the cracks in the shield building concrete remain a point of contention in regard to the license renewal, and the atomic safety and licensing board will hear oral arguments. Expected nrr management to understand the status of davis besse s containment outcomes. On october 10, 2011, news broke at davisbesse that cracking in the concrete containment shield building had been discovered, during breaching operations to install the third lid in a decade atop the problemplagued reactor. The shield building does not meet design criteria as it currently exists. Davisbesse nuclear power station is located in ohio, us. Davisbesse nuclear power station is a 894 megawatt, nuclear power plant, located northeast of oak harbor, ohio in ottawa county, ohio. Four activist groups, citing exterior cracks found in davisbesses containment shield building in 2011, questioned firstenergys assessment of its ability to handle a severe plant accident. Dec 01, 2014 doel 3 1982 and tihange 2 1983 are still offline due to cracks in steel reactor casings. The akronbased electric company said it cut the dividend 34. Davis besse nuclear power station is located in ohio, us. Fermi 2 atomic reactor 20year license extension challenged citizen groups raise safety, environmental contentions.
Ohios davisbesse facility, offline much of 2011 because of major repairs and a series of questions about cracks in the reactor building, was just given the green light to restart by the nrc, despite the objections of many nuclear watchdogs and us rep. Located in oak harbor, ohio, on the shores of lake erie, the davis besse nuclear power station is home to a single pressurized water reactor. Ctlgroup has assisted firstenergy in evaluation and monitoring of laminar cracks present in the shield building at davis besse nuclear power station. Sep 03, 2014 coalition challenges davis besse amps re. Davis besse nuclear power station is a 894 megawatt, nuclear power plant, located northeast of oak harbor, ohio in ottawa county, ohio. As of 2011, it is operated by the firstenergy nuclear operating company subsidiary of firstenergy corp. Exhibit 2 toledo blade article, davisbesse had air gap.
Exhibit 2 toledo blade article, davisbesse had air gap in. Fenoc maintained that the cracks were architectural, not structural. A threejudge nuclear regulatory commission administrative panel is heading into a fifth hour of testimony today over the discovery of. Uncoated since 1970, the davis besse nuclear power station shield building recently received a protective coating after cracks in the structure were found. New york, oct 17 reuters firstenergy has discovered small cracks in a concrete shield building at the davisbesse nuclear power plant in ohio, which was shut for a reactor vessel head.
Davis besse reactor corrosion thinkreliability, case studies. Sep 01, 2006 synopsis of the davisbesse incident on february 16, 2002, davisbesse oak harbor, ohio nuclear plant personnel were repairing cracks in the vessel head penetration vhp nozzles while being machined, the nozzles which were supposed to be imbedded tipped over further inspection identified a large penetrated cavity of 20 to 30. Streetview near tihange nuclear power station, belgium there was a fire at the french owned belgian tihange 3 nuclear reactor. The concrete building protects the plant and its 900 mw pwr. The nrc concluded on december 3 that the shield building can fulfill these safety functions. Nuclear regulatory commission nrc report but not until eight long.
Bechtel wins sgr contract at davisbesse the replacement oncethrough steam generators for davisbesse are each approximately 74 feet tall, 12 feet in diameter and weigh 550 tons. The shield building was the only abovegrade structure at davis besse that was not sprayed with a white cement thoroseal finish to seal the exterior concrete surface before the facility went. Nuclear regulatory commission continues monitoring davis. The 908megawatt davisbesse nuclear power station has operated safely and reliably, generating more than. Cracks in shield building grow, but safety isnt at issue. Nrc inspection at davisbesse nuclear power station. To inform nrr senior management of situation at davis besse with the containment shield building cracks identified, and licensee response. Do the cracks discovered in the shield building at the davisbesse nuclear station compromise its ability to stand up to tornadoes and earthquakes. Presentation slides on davisbesse shield building crack. Gap in concrete discovered in davis besse s protective shell. Sep 07, 2014 cracks in shield building grow, but safety isnt at issue. Subsequently, the shield building was painted with a protective coating, and a longterm inspection program was established to ensure. Core bores for monitoring conditions are up to 4 inches in diameter. Quantitative xray microanalysis of chlorine in cement paste.
The case against the davisbesse nuclear power plant. The licensing board ruled, largely on narrow technical grounds, that the issues the challengers raised were speculative or irrelevant. Davis besse has come closer to a catastrophic accident on the shores of the great lakes more times than any. Could a davisbesse nuclear power plant that has been shut down before for nonradioactive leaks be the cause of cancer in portions of the northwest ohio, including toledo. It would cost several billion dollars to replace the shield building. The corroded lid was replaced before restart in 2004, but in 2010, cracks were found in this new lid, forcing its replacement in. Jun 04, 2015 each cut further weakened the building.
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