Seawater-induced corrosion found at Hamaoka plant

The operator of the Hamaoka nuclear power plant in central Japan says it has detected fresh corrosion from seawater in one of the reactors.

The government ordered Chubu Electric Power Company to shut down all 5 reactors at the facility in Shizuoka Prefecture in May 2011. The move followed the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant two months earlier.

The shutdown created cracks, allowing about 400 tons of seawater to flow into the Number 5 reactor building. Salt corroded pipes and other equipment.

Chubu Electric says waterproof cameras last November detected damage to at least at 3 locations in stainless steel linings inside the reactor. The parts are several millimeters thick.
[link to www3.nhk.or.jp]
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