Fire at Hartlepool nuclear station

PS_RalphW · Post by **PS_RalphW** » 22 Apr 2013, 15:17

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2 ... plant-fire

NO one hurt. Looks to be in the turbine room.

Talk of steam release, which is presumably the secondary steam circuit, so not likely to be much radioactivity.

Post by **clv101** » 22 Apr 2013, 15:43

"...a blaze broke out while a turbine was being reactivated."

This happens surprisingly often.

Post by **adam2** » 22 Apr 2013, 16:00

Reports state that it tripped following loss of vacuum in the steam condensor, whilst increasing load.
That would lead to large scale venting of low pressure steam but I dont see why it would start a fire, though it appears to have done so.

A large release of steam could certainly be mistaken by non experts for smoke, but I think that the fire brigade would know the difference.

Cant be that serious as they forecast a return to normal in about a week.

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 22 Apr 2013, 16:17

adam2 wrote: Cant be that serious as they forecast a return to normal in about a week.

That is not necessarily faultless logic.

Post by **adam2** » 01 May 2013, 21:05

Re start now expected in a few days, a little later than first expected.

Two other reactors off line for planned refueling, two more running at part load to conserve fuel, and one raising output after on load refueling.
Not bad considering the age of the fleet.

Post by **clv101** » 01 May 2013, 22:03

Nuclear output been pretty good these last couple of years, better than the few years before anyway!

Post by **adam2** » 08 May 2013, 19:47

Now back on full load.

Post by **adam2** » 15 May 2013, 20:47

Broken again, fault in turbine or generator not the reactor.
Restart expected in about 10 days.

Another reactor has an unplanned outgage for boiler inspection.

So that is 2 unplanned outages, two planned refueling outgages, and two at part load to conserve fuel.

No crisis at this time of year, but it wont help for next winter, every GWH of nuclear power not generated now due to faults is either more gas burnt and therefore less to fill the store for next winter, or more coal burnt and therefore less permitted operating hours left for future use of coal burning plant.