(South Korean) Gov't finds 'unqualified' parts in nuclear reactors

[davidpdx]

Source: Yonhap News

SEOUL, Nov. 5 (Yonhap) -- The government said Monday that it has discovered a number of suppliers have been funneling what it called "unproven" parts into the country's nuclear reactors by fabricating quality warranties.

Despite a wide use of such parts in at least two nuclear reactors, there is no threat of a radiation leak as the unproven parts are what Minister of Knowledge Economy Hong Suk-woo called "ordinary" parts, such as fuses and power switches, which are unrelated to the reactor itself.

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The minister said the parts are mostly legitimate products that have no problem to be used in other industrial sectors. However, the parts need to be proven to be safe for use in nuclear power plants and thus require quality and safety warranties from one of 12 international organizations that have been designated by Seoul.

The eight suppliers faked 60 warranties for 234 parts since 2003, supplying 7,682 items worth 820 million won (US$750,000) in total, according to Hong.





Read more: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2012/11/05/42/0501000000AEN20121105003451320F.HTML

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Crap, I live in Korea and this is potentially going to be a big problem with the amount of electricity used here. Thankfully gas is used for most cooking and heating.

Information about the plant:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeonggwang_Nuclear_Power_Plant

The Yeonggwang Nuclear Power Plant is a large nuclear power station in the Jeollanam-do province of South Korea. The facility runs at an installed capacity of 5,875 MW. The power station is currently ranked as the fifth largest nuclear power station in the world.

There is one 947 MW unit (or reactor), one 953 MW unit, one 988 MW unit, one 994 MW unit, one 996 MW unit, and one 997 MW unit. All these units are of the Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) reactor type. Unit-1 and Unit-2 were commissioned in 1986, Unit-3 in 1994, Unit-4 in 1995, Unit-5 in 2001, and Unit-6 in 2002.

[Diclotican]

1. davidpdx

davidpdx

The equipment who is found to not be "up to speck" should be re pleased as fast as human possible - even if it works, it is a reason the specks is as they are on a nuclear reactor...

But at least, your reactors looks like they are rather "New" with the olds from 1986.. It exist so many old reactors old there, who should have been de-commised for a long time..... And who is dangerous... But in reality - all reactors that be the small ones, or the big ones is dangrous to human life..

Diclotican

[davidpdx]

2. I agree, a pretty dangerous situation

It's a good thing they found this out now. They should be inspecting all the plants immediately for similar problems.

[Diclotican]

4. davidpdx

davidpdx

I agree - all of the plants should be inspected for similar problems, and closed and the parts changed if found to have not the specks... - SAFELY should be paramount, when it comes to nuclear reactors - dam the cost, safely for the population is more important, than the "bottom line" in some papers at the end of the year...

Diclotican

[agentS]

3. I live near that reactor!

There is a major city (top 10) within 30 miles downwind of that plant. It's a little disconcerting to the residents around me, though since I live in a 'bubble' I don't hear as much about it.

While there are no earthquake belts in the area and no active typhoons for awhile, the risk of the plant blowing up is low for the moment.

It'll be a headache but it'll be resolved. Fukushima is still an issue in these parts.

[Trillo]

5. I'm sure that if all the forged certificates can be eliminated,

and any associated parts replaced, then ... see ... nuclear power will be just fine and dandy ... "safe", uh huh.

Or maybe nuclear power simply isn't safe, and the need to have all these specialized certificates and engineering reviews and manufacturing processes are all the proof that is needed -- that nuclear power is simply not safe no matter what.