Twin nuclear reactors at Taishan in China have been sealed into their concrete domes despite fears that the reactor vessels have serious metallurgical defects. No safety test data has been released by the two companies in charge, EDF and CGN, to show that the reactors will not crack in operation, releasing radioactivity. Areas of very high carbon in the Flamanville reactor vessel and lid, both forged at Areva’s Le Creuset works, have caused that reactor’s construction to be placed on what appears to be indefinite hold. France’s nuclear safety inspectorate, ASN, is demanding ever more tests to be carried out on these two key components. The danger posed by the high-carbon anomalies is that the reactor vessel and head will become brittle, crack under pressure, and release large amounts of radiation into the environment.
Ecologist 3rd June 2016 read more »