Inspectors Warn Faulty Valves In New-Generation EPR Nuclear Reactor Pose Meltdown Risk

Bruce66423 writes: Valves for the new generation of French reactors being built now have raised substantial safety concerns on top of the existing issues about the quality of the steel used for the containment vessel. Similar to the Three Mile Island nuclear accident, France’s nuclear safety watchdog found “multiple” malfunctioning valves in the Flamanville EPR that could cause its meltdown. The Telegraph reports: "The watchdog reportedly cited 'multiple failure modes' that could have 'grave consequences' on the safety relief valves, which play a key role in regulating pressure in the reactor. Owned by state-controlled French utilities giant EDF, Flamanville lies close to the British Channel Islands and about 150 miles from the southern English coast. Designed to be the safest reactors in the world and among the most energy-efficient, the €9 billion (£6.5 billion) EPR has suffered huge delays in models under construction in France, Finland and China. It is now due to enter service in 2017, five years later than originally planned."

Comments

Beyond comprehension

[fnj]

A reactor that costs $10.1 billion, and the fucking critical coolant valves don't fucking work when brand fucking new? WTF????? How is it possible for the design process of a doom machine to be that lackadaisical? Consider; this is after Three Mile Island and Chernobyl and Fukushima.

Flames are licking out of my head; smoke is curling up. If you gotta mark me flamebait, I almost understand it. But you gotta ask yourself: if anybody is less than filled with rage at this shit, are they really paying attention to Stuff That Matters?

Re:Isn't that the point of inspections?

[Guildor]

The problem is Nuclear! Although we've had plants up and running for many years now, we all still fail to recognise that even to this day, Fukushima is pumping nuclear waste into the ocean, and basically we collectively as humanity have allowed the entire Pacific ocean to die. I don't think nuclear is worth that risk, and we need to think about safe alternatives in the short term, (coal / oil / gas) while we develop safer alternatives such as a thorium reactor. That, or demand the military give up some of their secret stash of alternatives! They must have some! We've put trillions into their black-budgets for a reason, and it's not for them to smoke pot!