Per the recent UN meeting the IAEA made the following statement:

>Also within this Secotr, and within the purview of the IAEA, is the >challenge of maintaining the margin to safety of nuclear generating >facilities in the midst of Y2K date events. This challenge exists >whether the facility is producing power and thus must rely upon the >functioning of its digital safety systems, or even if it is shut >down, rely upon secure sources of offsite power to maintain safe >shutdown conditions.

I was under the impression that it took power to shut a nuke down properly, but must you also have constant form of power to keep it down safely?

-- Anonymous, December 27, 1998

Answers

Especially during the first four months of shutdown, to provide core coolant circulation until temperatures drop to the point where the core is in no danger if the flow stops. Even then, radiation monitoring, security and other systems (turbine & generator turning motor) will require constant power.

WW

-- Anonymous, December 29, 1998

WW: Who tells you this stuff?

-- Anonymous, January 01, 1999

Nucpwr; What's the answer?

-- Anonymous, January 02, 1999

NOTE: I only know one power plant, others are similar, I presume. Diesel generators are on-site to supply safety components in the event of a loss of all power. The fuel oil tanks are sized for seven days of continuous operation at rated power. Bear in mind that two days after a shutdown from 100% power, the reactor is below the boiling point (and being cooled) and opened for outage maintenance. Natural circulation cooling and engineering design will prevent containment rupture in the loss of all power scenario. Radiation monitoring can be (and is, at times) done by a real, live person. Security keys on my belt can get me into any room necessary for safe operation. And finally, the turbine is required to be on the turning gear for 24 hrs after a shutdown. If the core has "melted", the plant will never run again, but the welfare of the public will not, in my opinion, ever be in question. Now, Rick, about those fuel pools...

-- Anonymous, January 09, 1999