Leak at Old Research Reactor Stable, Officials Say
WC Monitor
10/3/2014
The search for the leak in a reactor pool at one of Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s stable of shutdown nuclear research reactors is still ongoing, but officials emphasized that the situation is stable and not getting worse. Some issues have apparently been ruled out. Mike Koentop, executive officer of the DOE Office of Environmental Management in Oak Ridge, said tests indicated that the leak is not tied to the reactor pool’s aluminum liner. “UCOR (DOE’s cleanup manager in Oak Ridge) was able to drain existing systems designed to collect and remove potential moisture or water between the aluminum liner and concrete walls of the pool,” Koentop said in an email response to questions. “No water was found when the lines were drained. Engineers are continuing to investigate other potential water seep routes.”
Earlier plans to submerge cameras and dose-rate meters into the pool got delayed, in part, because officials had to make sure the electrical systems at the old reactor were still sufficient to support the work. The results of the tests, which were reportedly conducted this week, have not been released, but the team will apparently review and consider a range of options. “The Technical Evaluation Team will use this information (from tests and underwater pictures) to develop criteria, evaluate various repair options, and recommend the best alternative for addressing the seep,” Koentop said.
Besides that, the DOE contractor is in touch with specialty consultants to evaluate the options, including the possible removal of the irradiated components that are stored in the old reactor pool. In the meantime, Koentop said, “The seep rates remain consistent and the water (leaking from the pool) is being captured and processed through the Liquid Gaseous Waste Operations water treatment system. There remains no risk to workers or the environment.”
