[ This is the kind of nonsense that goes on when an organization has no oversight by either the DOE or the NRC. First they perform an incredibly stupid act, and than they lie about it to the public, and no one in the Government gives a damn.]
John Shannon Nuclear Engineer/Nuclear Physicist [Retired]
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The Daily Gazette November 16, 2006
Opinion Dept
2345 Maxon Road Extension
Schenectady, N.Y. 12301-1090
Your November 7 article, Valve problems shut down reactors, reported that both reactors at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory Kesselring Site have been shut down for an extended period of time after the discovery that some valves were installed incorrectly. This admission is accompanied with the usual boilerplate disclaimer of any risk to the workers at the site or to the general public.
To characterize the latest problem in plain English, the valves were installed backwards. At the very least, this shocking error can cause a significant reduction in flow and cooling to vital plant components. At worst, certain valve types when installed backwards will completely block normal flow. Such incompetence at any commercial nuclear reactor in the U.S. would lead to an immediate shutdown order by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that would not be lifted until all plant procedures and personnel were thoroughly purged.
Not so with Naval Reactors, a self-regulating organization that provides their own oversight, a ploy that for more than 50 years has allowed them to expound false propaganda about their unprecedented excellence. A most disturbing aspect of this situation is that this is not the first time the Kesselring Site has installed valves backwards. It has happened before. Clearly, the real risk arises because of human error by personnel entrusted with safe operation of this nuclear facility.
Robert G. Stater (Nuclear Engineer)
105 Pashley Road
Scotia, NY, 12302
(518) 399-1072
The Writer is a retired KAPL Nuclear Engineer
John Shannon Nuclear Engineer/Nuclear Physicist [Retired]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Daily Gazette November 16, 2006
Opinion Dept
2345 Maxon Road Extension
Schenectady, N.Y. 12301-1090
Your November 7 article, Valve problems shut down reactors, reported that both reactors at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory Kesselring Site have been shut down for an extended period of time after the discovery that some valves were installed incorrectly. This admission is accompanied with the usual boilerplate disclaimer of any risk to the workers at the site or to the general public.
To characterize the latest problem in plain English, the valves were installed backwards. At the very least, this shocking error can cause a significant reduction in flow and cooling to vital plant components. At worst, certain valve types when installed backwards will completely block normal flow. Such incompetence at any commercial nuclear reactor in the U.S. would lead to an immediate shutdown order by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that would not be lifted until all plant procedures and personnel were thoroughly purged.
Not so with Naval Reactors, a self-regulating organization that provides their own oversight, a ploy that for more than 50 years has allowed them to expound false propaganda about their unprecedented excellence. A most disturbing aspect of this situation is that this is not the first time the Kesselring Site has installed valves backwards. It has happened before. Clearly, the real risk arises because of human error by personnel entrusted with safe operation of this nuclear facility.
Robert G. Stater (Nuclear Engineer)
105 Pashley Road
Scotia, NY, 12302
(518) 399-1072
The Writer is a retired KAPL Nuclear Engineer
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