Warming bay water threatens to shut down Plymouth nuclear reactor

[bananas]

http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2013/07/18/warming-bay-water-threatens-shut-down-nuclear-reactor/0D3wT0RuOCwVRWkAhi3J1L/story.html

Warming bay water threatens to shut down Plymouth nuclear reactor

By Peter Schworm, Globe Staff

The current heat wave is threatening to shut down the nuclear power plant in Plymouth, as water used to cool the system nears limits on safe temperature.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission requires that the water drawn from Cape Cod Bay to cool the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station be below 75 degrees. On Tuesday afternoon, the water exceeded that mark for about 90 minutes, forcing the plant to reduce power output temporarily.

<snip>

A reactor in Connecticut was shut down for two weeks last August due to water intake temperatures that exceeded the 75-degree limit, the NRC said.

When the limits were put into place, regulators never imagined that rising water temperatures would be a concern, Sheehan said.

“No one could envision a scenario where water temperatures would exceed these limits,” Sheehan said.

[RobertEarl]

1. Watertoo hot?

IIRC, if the water being drawn in is too warm, the ability to cool the reactor is depleted. That's why they have these limits?

[Fearless]

2. Yup.

It becomes increasingly less efficient.

[RobertEarl]

5. See post below this

Seems we have a disagreement.

If you need water to cool something, the warmer that water is, the less cooling can take place.

Nuke plants, if not kept cooled down, blow sky high. Seems there would be a fine line cooling water temps should not cross. Maybe FBaggins knows what that line is?

[Fearless]

6. Both are accurate statements.

It does become less efficient at cooling and it does make outflow warmer.

[RobertEarl]

7. Thanks

Last edited Tue Jul 23, 2013, 12:23 AM - Edit history (1)

How hot is too hot? What is the temp limit to ensure cooling can take place?

There must be a regulatory or rather, a science based limit?

[FBaggins]

4. Nope

Warmer intake water means warmer outflow... and warmer outflow means higher water temperatures in the Bay. There are regulatory limits set to protect fish (etc). Not because there's any risk to the plant.

[cprise]

3. K&R