Society

Hole found in pipe at Genkai nuclear plant

Apr 02 (NHK) - The operator of the Genkai nuclear plant in southwestern Japan says it has found a hole in a reactor pipe where a steam leak was detected on Friday.

Kyushu Electric Power Company began inspecting the No.3 reactor of the plant in Saga Prefecture on Sunday afternoon.

The reactor went back online on March 23rd, after a suspension of more than 7 years. It began generating and transmitting power 2 days later.

But Kyushu Electric found a small amount of steam leaking from a pipe connected to equipment that removes oxygen, carbon dioxide and other substances.

It suspended power generation early on Saturday.

The utility says the steam does not contain radioactive substances, and there has been no impact on the environment.

The company says it is trying to find out what made the hole, which is about one centimeter across.

Kyushu Electric says there is currently no need to shut down the reactor, but the results of the inspection may affect some plans.

The utility plans to resume commercial operation of the No.3 reactor on April 24th and put No.4 back online in May.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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