Cameras helping retrieve dropped nuclear fuel-BNFL

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@EARTHLINK.NET>]

Index:



Cameras helping retrieve dropped nuclear fuel-BNFL

13 tons of monazite being moved to Chiba from Yamanashi

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Cameras helping retrieve dropped nuclear fuel-BNFL

  

LONDON, July 10 (Reuters) - British Nuclear Fuels is using remote-

controlled cameras in a bid to retrieve a batch of radioactive fuel 

rods which were dropped last week at its Chapelcross nuclear power 

station, the state-owned company said on Tuesday. 



"We are putting remote-controlled cameras into the shielding machine 

where the rods were dropped," a spokeswoman for BNFL told Reuters. 



The BNFL spokeswoman said the cameras would help BNFL work out how to 

retrieve the rods, which where being taken out of the reactor during 

routine refuelling when the incident happened. 



The Chapelcross plant, in Scotland, is a first-generation Magnox 

plant around 40 years old and BNFL has already said it will be closed 

between 2008 and 2010, although market conditions and technical 

issues could result in an earlier closure. 



The spokeswoman said it was too early to say exactly how the fuel 

rods were dropped. 



"All we know is that the grab arm (which was carrying the basket of 

spent fuel) came unlatched," she said, adding the rods had fallen 

within a protective shield and did not present a radiation danger. 



Although refuelling at the reactor was halted, Chapelcross's three 

other reactors continue to operate normally. 



BNFL said it will not consider refuelling at its other reactors until 

the Chapelcross incident has been fully investigated. 



Britain's nuclear watchdog, the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, 

said it was carrying out an investigation, but on Tuesday refused to 

speculate when the inquiry might be concluded. 

---------------



13 tons of monazite being moved to Chiba from Yamanashi



CHIBA, Japan, July 10 (Kyodo) - About 13.1 tons of monazite, a 

mineral containing low-level radioactive substances, are being 

transported from Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan, to Chiba 

Prefecture east of Tokyo, Chiba prefectural government officials said 

Tuesday. 



The monazite, which has been stored in Enzan, Yamanashi Prefecture, 

is scheduled to arrive in Katsuura, Chiba Prefecture, later in the 

day for storage in a warehouse there, the officials said. 



They said the prefectural government was informed of the shipment 

Tuesday night by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science 

and Technology. 



The local government will consult with the ministry since residents 

near the warehouse are expected to oppose the transfer, the officials 

said. 



Katsuura Mayor Teruo Fujihira has joined about 50 citizens and 

municipal government officials in visiting the site expected to house 

the monazite, in a mountain valley, in a bid to block delivery of the 

mineral. 



Monazite contains thorium and uranium, and possessors are required to 

report to the government if they have amounts exceeding a government-

designated limit. 



------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sandy Perle					Tel:(714) 545-0100 / (800) 548-5100   				    	

Director, Technical				Extension 2306 				     	

ICN Worldwide Dosimetry Service		Fax:(714) 668-3149 	                   		    

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Costa Mesa, CA 92626                    



Personal Website: http://www.geocities.com/scperle

ICN Worldwide Dosimetry Website: http://www.dosimetry.com



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