Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL) is continuing to remove fuel from its nuclear reactor at its Chalk River Laboratories in Ontario.
AECL today reported that 63 of the reactor's fuel rods have been removed as of June 9. There were approximately 100 rods in the reactor at the time it was shut down on May 14. Of that total, 81 were used for fuel and the remaining were used for isotope production and reactor control.
Completion of rod removal and the subsequent removal of heavy water from the reactor is expected to be finished by the end of this month.
Measures have been taken to reduce the reactor's water leak rate with the addition of a plan to temporarily plug the leak site. AECL added that the results of this action will take time to become evident, with the leak rate remaining at approximately 4 kg per hour.
In addition, AECL noted that a scan of an inside wall of the reactor vessel adjacent to the leak site was successfully completed. Analysis of the data is expected to take several days to complete.
AECL earlier estimated that the reactor would be offline for at least three months while repairs continue. Until the reactor is restarted, healthcare providers and medical isotope suppliers have been making other arrangements to meet worldwide demand and minimize the current shortage.
In a prepared statement, AECL president and CEO Hugh MacDiarmid said AECL views "the production of medical isotopes as part of our core mission for Canada and, indeed, for the world. As such, we have a duty to resume production as soon as it is safe and practical to do so."
He added that AECL staff "have been working around the clock to complete the investigations and we will draw on all available expertise, both internal and external, so that we apply the best minds to resolve this issue."
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AECL ponders Chalk River repairs, May 26, 2009
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