Both of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station’s standby gas treatment systems went out of service yesterday, according to a notification issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
During an emergency, the systems are supposed to pump air from the secondary containment system to the environment to help limit the amount of radioactive material released.
According to the NRC notification, PNPS’ “b” standy gas treatment system was shut down for testing, but plant staff then found the “A” system was having electrical problems, rendering it inoperable. “The inoperability of both SBGT System Trains ‘A’ and ‘B’ could have prevented the fulfillment of the safety functions to ‘control the release of radioactive material’ and ‘mitigate the consequences of an accident,” the notification stated.
The “A” treatment system was returned to service an hour later. The “B” system remains shut down Thursday morning and is having repairs done to it.
The problem did not endanger public safety, according to the notification.
