Reactor three has not been used to generate electricity since the cracks were found at. New images show cracking in the bricks which make up the core of nuclear reactors at hunterston b power station. Scottish hunterston b nuclear reactor to restart after. In 2017, hunterston b produced enough electricity for 1. The plants operator, edf energy, said the cracking was predicted to occur as the station ages and said that. If it were forced into decommissioning early because of the cracks with others following suit it could cause serious. Cracks found at hunterston nuclear plant edf energy states there are no safety concerns after cracks found in two graphite bricks in one of. On 20 august 2019 onr gave permission for reactor four at hunterston b nuclear power station to restart, but only until december. Hunterston b nuclear power station in west kilbride, scotland. Should the uk reopen an old, cracked nuclear reactor.
It recently marked 10 years without a lost time incident. Over 350 cracks found in hunterston b nuclear reactor. Their integrity enables the reactors to be cooled and safely shut down in an emergency. The cracks in the ageing reactor, due to be restarted a. It is located about 6 miles 9 km south of largs and about 2.
The observation of three keyway root cracks krc in the graphite core of. Cracks at hunterston b nuclear reactor breach safety. Footage of cracks in north ayrshire nuclear reactor released. Shocking pics reveal cracks in hunterston b nuclear reactor. Over 350 cracks found in hunterston b nuclear reactor donald urquhart, the onrs deputy chief inspector, said the decision had been taken after a long and detailed assessment of the safety case. A nuclear reactor at a power station will temporarily return to service after being shut down last year when cracks were found in its core. More than 350 cracks have been discovered in hunterston b s nuclear reactor, pushing the total. A cracked reactor at hunterston b nuclear power station in north ayrshire has been given permission to reopen but only for four months. As a result the unit at hunterston b in north ayrshire has.
The graphite bricks form the vertical channels within the reactor where the nuclear fuel is housed. Cracked reactor at hunterston b safe to operate again. Cracks found at hunterston nuclear plant telegraph. But bombardment by intense radiation over decades stresses the blocks, producing cracks at the base of key slots known as keyway root cracks. Hunterston b nuclear reactor to restart after cracks. Edf energy says cracks in offline hunterston b reactor growing faster than expected. The cracks are well within safety limits and the reactor would still be able to shut down in an emergency, says edf. Hunterston b power station is a nuclear power station in north ayrshire, scotland. Closure urged after 350 cracks found in nuclear reactor.
Pictures show cracks in ayrshire nuclear reactor bbc. Edf energy nuclear generation limited ngl hunterston b. It is currently operated by frances edf energy, and began producing electricity in 1976. New cracks have been discovered in the hunterston b nuclear reactor in north ayrshire raising concerns that it may not be safe to restart. Cracks in scottish nuclear reactor core prompt safety. Cracks found in the graphite bricks of a nuclear reactor at a power station in scotland. Cracks revealed in nuclear reactor in north ayrshire. Hunterston b employs almost 500 people and 250 contractors. Pictures showing cracks in the core of a nuclear reactor at hunterston b power station have been released. Cracked reactor at hunterston b safe to operate again, says nuclear regulation body cracks were found in the graphite core of one of the reactors at hunterston b. Safety fears as hunterstons cracked nuclear reactors start to crumble. The bbc article then states that concerns have also been raised about the consequences for local jobs if hunterston closed early. Seawall, and how they built the generators in the basement were. Footage shows cracks in hunterston nuclear reactor news.
Footage reveals cracks in uks hunterston b nuclear reactor metro. Footage has been released of cracks found inside a reactor at a nuclear plant in scotland. A reactor at edf energys hunterston b nuclear power plant in scotland will remain offline for additional safety checks after cracks were. Cracks found in bricks of nuclear reactor have grown to an average of 2mm wide, says energy firm edf. One cracked reactor at hunterston allowed to restart the ferret. Fresh cracks found in hunterston b nuclear reactor news. Scottish hunterston b nuclear reactor to restart after fears over cracks in core the office for nuclear regulation has given edf energy the go.
Image caption the total number of cracks found at hunterston b s reactor three has risen sharply. Hunterston b is expected to continue producing electricity until 2023. Cracks at hunterston b nuclear reactor breach safety limits 1 comment more than 350 cracks have been discovered in an ayrshire nuclear reactor. The unit at hunterston b in north ayrshire has not been operating since the cracks were found to be. As pointed out in our article, few if any jobs would be lost if the reactors hunterston b were closed permanently. Video reveals cracks in scottish nuclear reactor the. The unit at hunterston b in north ayrshire has not been producing electricity since the cracks were found to be growing faster than expected. The 3,000 graphite blocks that make up the cores of advanced gascooled reactors such as those at hunterston b and torness are vital to nuclear safety. Nuclear regulator permits restarting of reactor 4 at hunterston b. Edf said this week that it was taking reactor 3 of hunterston b in scotland offline for half a year, after inspections found more cracks.
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