Re: Bacteria in Nuclear Reactors

[StevenFrey <StevenFrey@aol.com>]

Another historical occurrence of this "phenomena": Bacteria appeared in the
primary coolant water inside the reactor vessel at Three Mile Island Unit 2
shortly after the head was removed but before the fuel was removed post-
accident.  Its appearance was hardly subtle, either.  The bacteria developed
into a quite noticeable deposit on the surface of the coolant water.  This
unusual case of "pond scum" caused some head-scratching in the Operations
Department, as there was concern that introducing disinfectants into the
primary cooling water might compromise the Makeup and Purification System or
even complicate ongoing efforts to prevent possible mini-criticalities from
initiating in fuel rubble accumulations throughout the reactor vessel and
primary cooling system.

Eventually the problem was resolved.  Does anyone here know how (this is not a
test!)?

Steve Fry, MS, TIP
Stevenfrey@aol.com
Phone: (800) 888-7008 (office), (714) 646-4631 (home)