FirstEnergy wants to simulate reactor start for leaks test

The Associated Press
11/1/02 3:34 AM

CLEVELAND (AP) -- FirstEnergy Corp. wants to run a test through a simulated restart in late December to determine if there may be leaks near the base of the Davis-Besse nuclear power plant.

The possibility of cracks and leaks in the nozzles near the bottom of the reactor into the core emerged as a concern at Davis-Besse last month.

Workers at the plant in Oak Harbor, near Toledo, were already involved in fixing the reactor's lid's corrosion. FirstEnergy wants clearance for a restart of power generation next year.

Davis-Besse was shut down for routine maintenance in February. But investigators in March found that leaking boric acid had nearly eaten through the 6-inch steel cap on the reactor vessel.

The planned seven-day test involves reloading the fuel rods, securing the reactor's new lid and turning on coolant circulation pumps, The Plain Dealer reported Friday.

Control rods will remain in the core, however, preventing the nuclear reaction from starting, said FirstEnergy spokesman Todd Schneider.

After a week of simulated operation, the reactor will be shut down and its fuel removed. Inspectors will look for any sign of a problem.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has not approved the test, said NRC spokesman Jan Strasma.

"We expect there will be additional discussions on this and other possible options," he said.

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