Saewool Nuclear Plant Unit 3 Manually Shut Down; "No Radiological Impact"

Stopped Again Just Two Days After Restart

Leak Detected in Condensate Water Pipe for Steam

Saewool Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 in Ulju, Ulsan halted operations again on September 6, just two days after it was restarted.

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power’s Saewool Nuclear Headquarters announced that at approximately 3:01 p.m. on this day, the reactor of Saewool Unit 3 (with a capacity of 1.4 million kW) was manually shut down.

The headquarters explained that a leak was detected in a pipe that drains condensate water supplied to the turbine, and the reactor was manually halted to stabilize the facility and carry out maintenance.

Saewool Nuclear Headquarters stated that there was no radiological impact due to this shutdown, the plant remains in a stable condition, and an analysis is underway to determine the cause of the leak.

Previously, Saewool Unit 3 underwent an automatic shutdown on August 11 during a commissioning test. According to an investigation by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, an operator entered an incorrect setpoint for the turbine control valve position limiter while restoring reactor power after a grid separation test at 80% reactor output during commissioning.

The commission completed its investigation and granted approval for the resumption of commissioning tests on September 4.

Since receiving its operating license from the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission in December of last year, Saewool Unit 3 has been gradually increasing power output through phased commissioning tests in preparation for commercial operation.

Saewool Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 Yonhap News

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