Dounreay, Leaks and Hazards
Posted: 16th September 2024
Government inspectors have put Dounreay into “special measures” as a result of unresolved safety concerns. An action plan has been drawn up by operators NRS to address the issues which include ageing, deteriorating plant, radioactive leaks and the storage of chemicals. Among the problem areas is the condition of buildings in the prototype fast reactor being used to store drums of radioactive sodium. It found significant corrosion and metal loss of structural steelwork in the turbine hall. It concluded: “It was judged that alkali metal storage conditions in the turbine hall, steam generator hall and generator transformer house are not adequate, as the licensee has failed to safely protect the drums against uncontrolled degradation via air and moisture ingress. “It is also judged that the licensee is not recognising when there is degradation in these areas.” The issue first came to light following a probe into a minute leak of radioactive tritium from a sodium drum in the turbine hall in November 2022. Its exposure to rainwater through a leaky roof was blamed for causing the corrosion. The inspection was one of a number carried out at Dounreay in the spring and summer to receive an amber rating by ONS. Others revealed some elderly electrical plant in a “degraded” state while Dounreay was found to have breached the Control of Major Accident Hazards (CoMAH) regulations by its stockpile of chemicals being over its set limit. A fire safety inspection was generally positive but flagged up a “significant shortfall” in assessment and control of sources of dangerous substances. The inspector said: “It is my judgement that Dounreay do not currently understand the totality of risk presented by dangerous substances on site and therefore cannot provide adequate assurance as to the safety of personnel on site.”
John O’Groat Journal 13th Sept 2024
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) found corroded steelwork in a building being used to store drums of radioactive sodium, and leaks from low-level radioactive waste pits. Dounreay’s operator, NRS, said it was carrying out urgent repairs and had an action plan to deal with other issues. These included ONR’s warnings about old and degraded electric equipment and the site’s stockpile of chemicals being over its set limit.
BBC 13th Sept 2024
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg5gyrr6yno