OAK HARBOR -- Stains from acid have been found on the sides and bottom of the reactor vessel at the closed Davis-Besse nuclear power plant. Akron-based FirstEnergy Corporation replaced the cap on that reactor after a six-inch hole from leaking acid was found in March.

During repairs this summer, a contractor inspected the bottom of the reactor for the first time. FirstEnergy spokesman Todd Schneider says it's highly unlikely that the nearly transparent acid streaks on the reactor's bottom resulted from leaks on the bottom of the vessel. Instead, he says that routine power washing of the reactor head in the last decade probably sent the acid down the sides. Workers didn't realize that the streaks indicated a leak.

FirstEnergy hopes to reopen the plant early next year.

Posted 9:50 PM Saturday, October 12th
vfiorello@wtol.com