Belgium’s nuclear power plant operator Electrabel has revised the timetable for scheduled maintenance outages at three of its reactors to check for degradation of concrete in the ceilings of buildings housing back-up safety-related equipment. The extended outages will cost the company some EUR250 million (USD290 million). During a planned outage at Doel unit 3, which began in October, Electrabel discovered the concrete ceiling of a building adjacent to the reactor building required repair. This building contains “second level security systems, which are only used if there is a problem with the first level systems”. The ceiling of the Doel 3 building – in rooms housing the outlet nozzles of the steam exhaust valves – is being repaired and the reactor is scheduled to restart on 1 August.
World Nuclear News 18th June 2018 read more »
