Updated — Vermont Yankee on a wild ride?

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Power Reactor Status Report for April 10, 2012

Vermont Yankee 32

April 9, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

April 8, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

April 7, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

April 6, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

April 5, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

April 4, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

April 3, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

April 2, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

April 1, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

March 31, 2012

Vermont Yankee 99

March 30, 2012

Vermont Yankee 67

March 29, 2012

Vermont Yankee 33

March 28, 2012

Vermont Yankee 31

March 27, 2012

Vermont Yankee 31

March 26, 2012

Vermont Yankee 94

March 25, 2012

Vermont Yankee 94

March 24, 2012

Vermont Yankee 93

March 23, 2012

Vermont Yankee 96

March 22, 2012

Vermont Yankee 98

March 21, 2012

Vermont Yankee 100

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/…

More:

My my. Appears that shortly prior to the scheduled closing date & VY’s big 40, going forward VT’s lone reactor has been on a seemingly wild rollercoaster ride as power has been up & down, but no news updates such as the progress of the laborious process of scraping the glue off of the thinning condenser tubes which were bubblegummed with glue, er, ‘epoxy’ to prevent leakage, or whatever the trained professionals are doing, that I have seen since the initial problem was reported:

Problems With Yankee’s Condenser Resurface

Thursday, 03/15/12

http://www.vpr.net/news_detail…

The latest trouble at the troubled plant (that we know of), the condenser, a main component the size of a three-story sized house filled with pipes has been behaving poorly, much like its owner Entergy Louisiana. After pipes were coated with the epoxy, some diffuculties with the condenser resurfaced & power was reduced [emphasis added]:

(Smith) We’re seeing a loss of efficiency in our condenser. It’s due to what’s called air in leakage. It’s air that’s getting into the whole condenser system which shouldn’t be there[..]Meanwhile, Yankee is still trying to figure out what’s wrong with the condenser. The NRC says a leading theory is that epoxy coating used to control leaks may be reducing the ability of condenser tubes to convert steam back to water.”

From 100% to 31%, back to full power, now down to 32%. What a present. Happy 40th VY.

*partial crosspost

4 thoughts on “Updated — Vermont Yankee on a wild ride?”

  2. Surprise surprise. More um, leaking just in a different place — now it’s the condenser. Those dang pipes, er, ‘tubes’.

    More condenser leaks force Yankee to one-third power

    By SUSAN SMALLHEER

    Staff Writer

    BRATTLEBORO

    – Another problem with Vermont Yankee’s 40-year-old steam condenser has forced the plant to significantly reduce power for the second straight day.

    http://www.vermonttoday.com/ap…

    Condenser Leaks Plague Vermont Yankee Plant

    Wednesday, 04/11/12 5:31pm

    John Dillon

    (Host) Vermont Yankee is operating at reduced power while technicians continue to trouble-shoot problems with its steam condenser[..]As VPR’s John Dillon reports, the condenser contains thousands of tubes, some of which have started to leak.

    http://www.vpr.net/news_detail…

    Arnie Gundersen sheds some light in this Reformer story from veteran VY reporter Bob Audette:

    [emphasis added]

    In the past few years, the condenser has developed small leaks, in which water from the tubes has leaked into the system.

    Holes in the condenser have been sealed with Plasticor, an epoxy-like material, said Arnie Gundersen, a member of the Public Oversight Panel, which reviewed a reliability assessment commissioned by the state.

    The oversight panel identified the condenser as a significant challenge to the continued reliability of the plant, said Gundersen, partially as a result of the increased flow due to a power uprate in 2006.

    “ENVY has budgeted for future condenser improvements; however, the current condition of the condenser, coupled with the increased flow from (the power uprate), is posing both a reliability challenge and affecting plant chemistry,” stated the reliability report.

    http://www.reformer.com/localn…

    New England Coalition’s Ray Shadis:

    [emphasis]

    During hearings before the Vermont Public Service Board prior to approval of the power uprate, Entergy representatives stated that the condenser had been refurbished and fitted with new steam tube supports, said Ray Shadis, spokesman for the New England Coalition, which has opposed Yankee’s operation for the past 40 years.

    Entergy said the work would render the condenser “good-to-go” until 2016, he said.

    “This despite internal documents in which Entergy consulting engineers opined that the conditions of the steam condenser is such that it can ‘barely withstand the force of gravity,'” said Shadis.

    http://www.reformer.com/localn…

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