COURTESY PILGRIM NUCLEAR POWER STATION
PLYMOUTH – The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant in Plymouth was reduced to 28% power Tuesday morning after workers detected leakage in a condenser tube.
They were first alerted to the problem by elevated levels of chloride in the plant’s circulating water lines.
According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, one of Pilgrim’s two circulating water pumps was taken offline.
NRC Spokesman Neil Sheehan said plant officials will isolate the condenser waterbox, allowing for the inspection of any leakage or repairs.
He said there was no immediate threat to public safety.
Sheehan said condenser tubes, which are used to cool water circulating from Cape Cod Bay into the plant to cool the reactor, can be plugged and removed from service.
“The condensers are essentially very large heat exchangers. They are using water from the bay, which is greatly colder than the steam created by the reactor,” said Sheehan.
NRC inspectors assigned to Pilgrim were on scene Monday to monitor the chloride levels.
If they reach a certain level, the plant would be required to shut down for additional inspections and repairs.
“We want to make sure that the operators are adhering to the plant’s procedures and indications at this point is that that’s exactly what’s occurring,” said Sheehan.
Pilgrim has been under increased scrutiny in recent months and is listed as one of the worst performing nuclear plants in the country.
Plant owner Entergy plans on shutting down the reactor in 2019.
By MATT PITTA, CapeCod.com News Director
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