Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research , upon notice, on 4 April 2011:

With reference to the maintenance problems of the Open Pool Australian Lightwater (OPAL) reactor at Lucas Heights and, in particular:

(a) in July 2007, when the reactor was shut down, 3 months after its opening, when 13 uranium plates in the fuel core of the reactor came loose and engineers found ordinary water leaking inwards each day thereby contaminating the heavy water;

(b) in early 2008, when the reactor's designer, INVAP, tried to plug the leak with microscopic alumina particles, however, the leak reappeared when the reactor was powered up in May; and

(c) in October 2008, when the reactor was shut down for the routine replacement of uranium fuel and a second fix was attempted by installing a clamp around the leak.

(1) Have the problems been permanently fixed.

(2) Have the costs to the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation resulting from these problems been finalised with the manufacturer, INVAP.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable s enator ' s question is as follows:

(1) Refer to the answer provided to B1-41, part (e), from Budget Estimates Hearing held on 31 May 2010. In November and December 2009, purpose-built mechanical clamps were applied to the seepage areas, which have resulted in a more than 90 per cent reduction in the seepage rate. The intended commissioning of a heavy water purification plant this year, subject to and following regulatory approvals, will ensure that this problem is further mitigated.

(2) Under the contract, it is the responsibility of the vendor, INVAP to rectify any defects at their cost.