Norway Nuclear Decommissioning (NND – Norsk Nukleær Dekommisjonering) has applied to the Norwegian Radiation & Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA – Direktoratet for strålevern og atomsikkerhet) for authorisation to modify the fuel storage pond (FSP) at the Halden reactor site.
Earlier this year, during an inspection of the FSP, damage was identified to the structure that keeps the used fuel in position. The damage was the result, among other things, of material fatigue at the bolts for the storage lying underwater. The plant was originally built in the early 1960s and several modifications have subsequently been made to the facility.
The then owner and operator of the Halden Reactor, the Department of Energy Technology (IFE), informed DSA. IFE also notified NND which took over ownership of the Halden reactor on 1 April and is now responsible for the plant.
Investigations were immediately started to find the causes of the damage. A large group at the Halden plant has worked to find a satisfactory solution that will temporarily secure the fuel storage. The work has been extensive and complicated. “When a situation like this occurs, measures must be taken, which means that changes to the plant must be implemented. Such changes are both practical and procedural, said Geir Mjnes, NND’s sector director for the Halden facility. “Once we have decided how to solve the task, approval must be applied for in order to get permission to implement the changes.”
The solution has been thoroughly quality assured internally and has been considered by the NND safety committee, which is tasked with ensuring that the changes applied for are in accordance with best practice and regulatory requirements, and that they meet the safety requirements for a nuclear facility, said the head of the committee, Eivind Hannestad.
We believe that we have come up with a very good solution for the damaged fuel storage, said Mjnes. “Now we await the DSA assessment and approval, so that we can get started with the work.”
NND Director Paul Mikkelsen said the day the damage was discovered “was a demanding day, but it is great to see how the entire Halden plant has worked together to ensure that the fuel stores are safe and secure”.
