Corrosion Cause of N.Y. Plant Leak

March 7, 2000
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has determined the cause of a radioactive leak at the Indian Point 2 power plant last month.

Highly pressurized, superheated water that corroded a nickel-alloy tube from the inside was probably what caused a radioactive leak at the Indian Point 2 power plant last month, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

NRC spokesman Neil Sheehan emphasized that an official finding is weeks away and "there are other pieces of that puzzle that we still have to look at."

However, based on a videotape from a remote-controlled camera sent into the tube, "it's probable that this was stress corrosion cracking," Sheehan said Thursday.

An minute amount of radioactive steam escaped into the atmosphere Feb. 15, when radioactive water from one of the reactor's 13,000 tubes contaminated the clean water that is turned to steam to drive turbines.

No one was injured at the plant 35 miles north of New York City that is owned and operated by Con Edison. It was the worst accident in its 26-year history.

If it is concluded that corrosion was the cause, it could raise questions about the industry's inspection practices.

An inspection at the plant in 1997 showed no sign of a crack in the tube that leaked, according to Con Ed.

Con Ed had gotten NRC permission to postpone a scheduled 1999 inspection because the plant was out of service for parts of the intervening two years.

NRC investigators told Con Ed that if the crack could appear, deepen and break open between inspections, the inspection schedule might have to be tightened.

Con Ed Vice President Stephen Quinn said a decision on more frequent inspections should be made on "sound, technical knowledge" and should await the completion of the investigation.

Sponsored Recommendations

3 Essential Elements for a Strong Safety Culture

March 13, 2024
Organizations globally have increased their attention on safety culture: trying to figure out what it really is and the aspects that are necessary to develop and sustain it. And...

Making the Case for Occupational Health Software

March 13, 2024
Deciding to invest in Occupational Health (OH) software can be a challenging leap for many organizations. This article will equip businesses with insightful strategies for effectively...

Fighting the Flu: Solutions for the Workplace

March 13, 2024
Seasonal flu continues to wreak considerable havoc both on individual wellness, as well as on our business continuity and productivity. Explore these solutions for protecting ...

Preventing SIFs with Digitization: Reduce Serious Injuries and Fatalities with Technology

March 13, 2024
This eBook discusses the origins of SIF prevention, outlines principles, models and tools available to EHS leaders to better detect and address SIF potential in their business...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!