Valve closure causes automatic shutdown at Pilgrim plant
By Beth TreffeisenPosted Oct 6, 2018
PLYMOUTH — The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station experienced an unplanned shutdown, known as a “scram,” at 12:09 p.m. Friday, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
The shutdown occurred when a feedwater regulating valve unexpectedly closed, resulting in a drop in the reactor’s water level. That initiated the protection system and shutdown, which involves the insertion of all control rods into the nuclear core to halt the fissioning process, according to an email sent by NRC spokesman Neil Sheehan.
All reactor safety systems functioned as designed and the shutdown was carried out without complications, according to Sheehan.
The NRC inspectors assigned full time to Pilgrim responded independently to verify plant conditions and to observe operators’ actions, Sheehan wrote. The inspectors did not identify any immediate safety concerns.
Over the weekend, inspectors will be troubleshooting the feedwater regulating valve and conducting any repairs needed to restart the reactor.
http://www.capecodtimes.com/news/20181006/valve-closure-causes-automatic-shutdown-at-pilgrim-plant
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