UPRATING Of Older US Nuclear Plants

[Dmytry]

Sigh. See post #30.
The general ability to deploy replacement generators is a solution for many unexpected things, not just the tsunami or terrorist attack or burst pipe (lol, or many cases of meteorite strike). I'm not saying you should plan for every unexpected scenario. This is precisely a basic safety feature that works in very many circumstances - unforeseen circumstances.
By interview, i meant, bit like job interview. Except i don't have to be working with you so i can obtain more honest answers in argument.

 

[Drakkith]

Sigh. See post #30.
The general ability to deploy replacement generators is a solution for many unexpected things, not just the tsunami or terrorist attack or burst pipe (lol, or many cases of meteorite strike). I'm not saying you should plan for every unexpected scenario. This is precisely a basic safety feature that works in very many circumstances - unforeseen circumstances.
By interview, i meant, bit like job interview. Except i don't have to be working with you so i can obtain more honest answers in argument.

None of which you can judge to any degree of accuracy or intent. Just stick to the facts of the posts, you'll do much better.

 

[Dmytry]

What facts? The number of people reviewing uprating proposal? Reviewing some specific uprating proposal in full detail myself? Come on. The only thing I can test is whenever attitude towards safety is what I consider to be correct attitude required for safe uprating. That's all. It's a question about human factor. And I am subjectively forming an opinion. I speak of the safety features EU has - and see reaction. No we don't need it is the reaction. I've subjectively formed an opinion that it is unsafe, and if i ever have to vote on what plant to build - it won't be US plant.

 

[Argentum Vulpes]

Some points I'd like to address from Dmytry. The large three phase systems (AC) that are used in large industry is a completely different beast then the one phase (AC) system used in household wiring. In a house the maximum wattage of power you will find is around 4.4 kW, an industrial setting can see 7.5 kW in the smallest setting (a 10 hp motor). If an industry system gets flooded it is just not a matter of drying out the system and plugging it back in. Because of the massive amount of energy involved every part of the system must be gone over by a fine tooth comb to cheek for unexpected insulation breakdown due to arc over during surges due to shorts in the switching gear.

Japan also has the misfortune of having two different electrical systems inside the country. Half of the island has a 120V 60Hz like the USA, and the other half has a 120V 50Hz system. This brings up the problem that equipment that works on one side of the island won't work on the other side, generators included.

As for the uprating this seems fine given the following points. What has been pointed out that newer and better equipment/practices has allowed for better utilization of heat produced, and longer operation with that heat. And I have yet to meet a good engineer that doesn't err on the side of caution, epically with new technology. Given this it stands to reason that the name plate capacity of nuclear power plants are on the very conservative side.

 

[Dmytry]

Some points I'd like to address from Dmytry. The large three phase systems (AC) that are used in large industry is a completely different beast then the one phase (AC) system used in household wiring. In a house the maximum wattage of power you will find is around 4.4 kW, an industrial setting can see 7.5 kW in the smallest setting (a 10 hp motor). If an industry system gets flooded it is just not a matter of drying out the system and plugging it back in. Because of the massive amount of energy involved every part of the system must be gone over by a fine tooth comb to cheek for unexpected insulation breakdown due to arc over during surges due to shorts in the switching gear.

All very true, but it is a pump which if you don't power it - you can kiss multi billion $ reactor goodbye. Plus this leaves a question of bringing and connecting a replacement pump.

Japan also has the misfortune of having two different electrical systems inside the country. Half of the island has a 120V 60Hz like the USA, and the other half has a 120V 50Hz system. This brings up the problem that equipment that works on one side of the island won't work on the other side, generators included.

Well, that's stupid but it leaves entire half of the island that's same frequency.

As for the uprating this seems fine given the following points. What has been pointed out that newer and better equipment/practices has allowed for better utilization of heat produced, and longer operation with that heat.

That is attempt at muddling the water. There is the kind of uprating where thermal output of the power plant (as well as time between refuelling) is increased, and that's what is of interest. Stretch uprating.

And I have yet to meet a good engineer that doesn't err on the side of caution, epically with new technology. Given this it stands to reason that the name plate capacity of nuclear power plants are on the very conservative side.

Hmm. In that thread I just met an engineer who literally couldn't understand the point of ability to deliver and connect replacement for critical equipment (ability which I a: thought they have, b: Germans have) and would avoid that and switch to topic of how many people tsunami killed outside the plant etc as justification for failure. He said he's involved in derating. Sorry, uprating. I was thinking of safety.
He also expressed belief that his industry is the most safety conscious, which is kind of strange given a huge number of other things that can kill people by design mistake resulting in massive loss of revenue, products that exist in the number of millions, not http://www.iaea.org/cgi-bin/db.page.pl/pris.oprconst.htm" . One laptop battery in 1000 explodes - that'd DECIMATE the manufacturer. One laptop battery in million explodes - that'd be a product recall and massive loss. One in 1000 reactors explodes - chances are we won't even know. Ditto for car design mistakes that result in accelerator pedal getting stuck etc. A lot of industries got extremely low tolerance to catastrophic failures attributable to design mistake.

Really, my opinion is that reactors are only as safe as they need to be - one per few hundreds lifetime probability of serious accident, right on the threshold of empirical detectability., safe enough to build them and expect none to blow up.
Like space shuttle:
http://www.fotuva.org/feynman/challenger-appendix.html
Uprating, well, you first convince me that nuke reactor design process is fundamentally different from what was described by Feynman.

 

[mhs25]

One laptop battery in 1000 explodes - that'd DECIMATE the manufacturer. One laptop battery in million explodes - that'd be a product recall and massive loss. One in 1000 reactors explodes - chances are we won't even know. Ditto for car design mistakes that result in accelerator pedal getting stuck etc. A lot of industries got extremely low tolerance to catastrophic failures attributable to design mistake.

You're kidding right? Are you really comparing a car accelerator sticking under normal operating conditions to getting hit with the fourth largest recorded earthquake in history?? Followed by a 15m tsunami?? Get Real.

Toyota isn't exactly going under right now, despite all the claims of their accelerators sticking. Planes crash all the time because of mechanical failure and kill lots of people.

By your reasoning, all cars should go under review because if you were in your car in Sendai when the tsunami hit, you're probably dead now. By your reasoning, we shouldn't go in any of our buildings or live in any of our housings because they are not rated for an Earthquake that's most likely never going to happen.

 

[Astronuc]

I took the list of 137 uprates from the NRC website:
http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operati.../status-power-apps/approved-applications.html

And tabulated them. The order (number) of approval shows that some plant did an uprate, then waited before commiting to another uprate. The earliest uprates happened 34 years ago at Calvert Cliffs, then 32 years ago at Millstone 2 and H. B. Robinson, and since.

NO. = Order of approval
Plant
% Uprate for each uprate
Total Plant Uprate = sum of all uprates for plant
MWt = Megawatt Thermal for each uprate
Total MWt = Sum of MWt of all uprates at plant
Type E = Extended, MU = Measurement Uncertainty, S = Stretch

NO.  PLANT(Reactor)           Total 
                        %     Plant          Total
                      UPRATE  Uprate   MWt    MWt    DATE APPROVED  TYPE   ACCESSION #

 79  ANO-2              7.5     7.5    211    211      4/24/2002      E    ML021140674
 65  Beaver Valley 1    1.4             37             9/24/2001     MU    ML012690049
112  Beaver Valley 1     8      9.4    211    248      7/19/2006      E    ML061720274
 66  Beaver Valley 2    1.4             37             9/24/2001     MU    ML012690049
113  Beaver Valley 2     8      9.4    211    248      7/19/2006      E    ML061720274
 56  Braidwood 1         5       5     170    170      5/ 4/2001      S    ML033040016
 57  Braidwood 2         5       5     170    170      5/ 4/2001      S    ML033040016
114  Browns Ferry 1      5       5     165    165      3/ 6/2007      S    ML070680307
 42  Browns Ferry 2      5       5     164    164      9/ 8/1998      S    ML042670047
 43  Browns Ferry 3      5       5     164    164      9/ 8/1998      S    ML042670047
 37  Brunswick 1         5             122            11/ 1/1996      S    9611070136*
 82  Brunswick 1        15      20     365    487      5/31/2002      E    ML021550485
 38  Brunswick 2         5             122            11/ 1/1996      S    9611070136*
 83  Brunswick 2        15      20     365    487      5/31/2002      E    ML021550485
 54  Byron 1             5       5     170    170      5/ 4/2001      S    ML033040016
 55  Byron 2             5       5     170    170      5/ 4/2001      S    ML033040016
 13  Callaway           4.5     4.5    154    154      3/30/1988      S    ML021650524
  1  Calvert Cliffs 1   5.5            140             9/ 9/1977      S    ML010400337
126  Calvert Cliffs 1   1.4     6.9     37    177      7/22/2009     MU    ML091820366
  2  Calvert Cliffs 2   5.5            140            10/19/1977      S    ML003774265
127  Calvert Cliffs 2   1.4     6.9     37    177      7/22/2009     MU    ML091820366
 76  Clinton            20      20     579    579      4/ 5/2002      E    ML021680108
 68  Comanche Peak 1    1.4             47            10/12/2001     MU    ML012890389
121  Comanche Peak 1    4.5     5.9    154    201      6/27/2008      S    ML081510157
 47  Comanche Peak 2    1               34             9/30/1999     MU    ML021820306
 69  Comanche Peak 2    0.4             13            10/12/2001     MU    ML012890389
122  Comanche Peak 2    4.5     5.9    154    201      6/27/2008      S    ML081510157
123  Cooper             1.6     1.6     38     38      6/30/2008     MU    ML081540278
  6  Crystal River 3    3.8             92             7/21/1981      S    ML020600420
 91  Crystal River 3    0.9             24            12/ 4/2002      S    ML023430072
115  Crystal River 3    1.6     6.3     41    157     12/26/2007     MU    ML073610197
 92  D.C. Cook 1        1.66    1.66    54     54     12/20/2002     MU    ML023570144
 94  D.C. Cook 2        1.66    1.66    57     57      5/ 2/2003     MU    ML030990132
124  Davis-Besse        1.6     1.6     45     45      6/30/2008     MU    ML081420569
 52  Diablo Canyon 1     2       2      73     73     10/26/2000      S    ML003764792
 71  Dresden 2          17      17     430    430     12/21/2001      E    ML013620048
 72  Dresden 3          17      17     430    430     12/21/2001      E    ML013620048
  9  Duane Arnold       4.1             65             3/27/1985      S    ML021890435
 70  Duane Arnold      15.3    19.4    248    313     11/ 6/2001      E    ML013050389
 40  Farley 1            5        5    138    138      4/29/1998      S    ML012140259
 41  Farley 2            5        5    138    138      4/29/1998      S    ML012140259
 15  Fermi 2             4        4    137    137      9/ 9/1992      S    ML020720520
 39  Fitzpatrick         4        4    100    100     12/ 6/1996      S    9612180303*
  5  Fort Calhoun       5.6     5.6     80     80      8/15/1980      S    8008280223*
111  Ginna             16.8    16.8    255    255      7/11/2006      E    ML061380133
 84  Grand Gulf         1.7     1.7     65     65     10/10/2002     MU    ML022890295
  4  H. B. Robinson     4.5            100             6/29/1979      S    7907180064*
 85  H. B. Robinson     1.7     6.2     39    139     11/ 5/2002     MU    ML023110291
 28  Hatch 1             5             122             8/31/1995      S    ML013020073
 45  Hatch 1             8             205            10/22/1998      E    ML013030084
 98  Hatch 1            1.5    14.5     41    368      9/23/2003     MU    ML032691360
 29  Hatch 2             5             122             8/31/1995      S    ML013020073
 46  Hatch 2             8             205            10/22/1998      E    ML013030084
 99  Hatch 2            1.5    14.5     41    368      9/23/2003     MU    ML032691360
 64  Hope Creek         1.4             46             7/30/2001     MU    ML012120005
120  Hope Creek         15     16.4    501    547      5/14/2008      E    ML081230540
 96  Indian Point 2     1.4             43             5/22/2003     MU    ML031500465
103  Indian Point 2     3.26    4.66   101.6  144.6   10/27/2004      S    ML042960007
 88  Indian Point 3     1.4             42.4          11/26/2002     MU    ML023370080
105  Indian Point 3     4.85    6.25   148.6  191      3/24/2005      S    ML050870383
 97  Kewaunee           1.4             23             7/ 8/2003     MU    ML031910330
101  Kewaunee            6      7.4     99    122      2/27/2004      S    ML040611088
 48  LaSalle 1           5             166             5/ 9/2000      S    ML003716743
132  LaSalle 1          1.6     6.6     57    223      9/16/2010     MU    ML101830361
 49  LaSalle 2           5             166             5/ 9/2000      S    ML003716743
133  LaSalle 2          1.6     6.6     57    223      9/16/2010     MU    ML101830361
 30  Limerick 1          5             165             1/24/1996      S    ML011560244
136  Limerick 1         1.6     6.6     57    222      4/ 8/2011     MU    ML110691095
 21  Limerick 2          5             165             2/16/1995      S    ML011560773
137  Limerick 2         1.6     6.6     57    222      4/ 8/2011     MU    ML110691095
  3  Millstone 2         5       5     140    140      6/25/1979      S    7907240100*
125  Millstone 3         7       7     239    239      8/12/2008      S    ML082180137
 44  Monticello         6.3     6.3    105    105      9/16/1998      E    ML020920138
 23  Nine Mile Point 2  4.3     4.3    144    144      4/28/1995      S    9505090259*
 11  North Anna 1       4.2            118             8/25/1986      S    ML013460131
128  North Anna 1       1.6     5.8     47    165     10/22/2009     MU    ML092250616
 12  North Anna 2       4.2            118             8/25/1986      S    ML013460131
129  North Anna 2       1.6     5.8     47    165     10/22/2009     MU    ML092250616
102  Palisades          1.4     1.4     35.4   35.4    6/23/2004     MU    ML040970623
 32  Palo Verde 1        2              76             5/23/1996      S    ML021710572
107  Palo Verde 1       2.9     4.9    114    190     11/16/2005      S    ML053130286
 33  Palo Verde 2        2              76             5/23/1996      S    ML021710572
100  Palo Verde 2       2.9     4.9    114    190      9/29/2003      S    ML032731029
 34  Palo Verde 3        2              76             5/23/1996      S    ML021710572
108  Palo Verde 3       2.9     4.9    114    190     11/16/2005      S    ML053130286
 20  Peach Bottom 2      5             165            10/18/1994      S    ML011490143
 86  Peach Bottom 2     1.62    6.62    56    221     11/22/2002     MU    ML031000317
 25  Peach Bottom 3      5             165             7/18/1995      S    ML021580312
 87  Peach Bottom 3     1.62    6.62    56    221     11/22/2002     MU    ML031000317
 50  Perry               5      5      178    178      6/ 1/2000      S    ML003724441
 95  Pilgrim            1.5     1.5     30     30      5/ 9/2003     MU    ML031320794
 89  Point Beach 1      1.4     1.4     21.5   21.5   11/29/2002     MU    ML023370142
 90  Point Beach 2      1.4     1.4     21.5   21.5   11/29/2002     MU    ML023370142
130  Prairie Island 1   1.6     1.6     27     27      8/18/2010     MU    ML102030573
131  Prairie Island 2   1.6     1.6     27     27      8/18/2010     MU    ML102030573
 73  Quad Cities 1     17.8    17.8    446    446     12/21/2001      E    ML013620116
 74  Quad Cities 2     17.8    17.8    446    446     12/21/2001      E    ML013620116
 51  River Bend          5             145            10/ 6/2000      S    ML003762072
 93  River Bend         1.7     6.7     52    197      1/31/2003     MU    ML030350194
 10  Salem 1             2              73             2/ 6/1986      S    ML011660249
 58  Salem 1            1.4     3.4     48    121      5/25/2001     MU    ML011520386
 59  Salem 2            1.4     1.4     48     48      5/25/2001     MU    ML011520386
 60  San Onofre 2       1.4     1.4     48     48      7/ 6/2001     MU    ML012180237
 61  San Onofre 3       1.4     1.4     48     48      7/ 6/2001     MU    ML012180237
104  Seabrook           5.2            176             2/28/2005      S    ML050590334
110  Seabrook           1.7     6.9     61    237      5/22/2006     MU    ML061430044
 80  Sequoyah 1         1.3     1.3     44     44      4/30/2002     MU    ML021230531
 81  Sequoyah 2         1.3     1.3     44     44      4/30/2002     MU    ML021230531
 67  Shearon Harris     4.5     4.5    138    138     10/12/2001      S    ML012880381
 77  South Texas 1      1.4     1.4     53     53      4/12/2002     MU    ML021130083
 78  South Texas 2      1.4     1.4     53     53      4/12/2002     MU    ML021130083
  7  St. Lucie 1        5.5     5.5    140    140     11/23/1981      S    ML013530273
  8  St. Lucie 2        5.5     5.5    140    140      3/ 1/1985      S    ML013600080
 26  Surry 1            4.3            105             8/ 3/1995      S    ML012710328
134  Surry 1            1.6     5.9     41    146      9/24/2010     MU    ML101750002
 27  Surry 2            4.3            105             8/ 3/1995      S    ML012710328
135  Surry 2            1.6     5.9     41    146      9/24/2010     MU    ML101750002
 22  Susquehanna 1      4.5            148             2/22/1995      S    9503070354*
 62  Susquehanna 1      1.4             48             7/ 6/2001     MU    ML011970199
116  Susquehanna 1      13     18.9    463    659      1/30/2008      E    ML081050530
 19  Susquehanna 2      4.5            148             4/11/1994      S    ML010170334
 63  Susquehanna 2      1.4             48             7/ 6/2001     MU    ML011970199
117  Susquehanna 2      13     18.9    463    659      1/30/2008      E    ML081050530
 14  TMI-1              1.3     1.3     33     33      7/26/1988      S    ML003779786
 35  Turkey Point 3     4.5     4.5    100    100      9/26/1996      S    ML013390234
 36  Turkey Point 4     4.5     4.5    100    100      9/26/1996      S    ML013390234
 31  V. C. Summer       4.5     4.5    125    125      4/12/1996      S    ML012320013
109  Vermont Yankee     20      20     319    319      3/ 2/2006      E    ML060050024
 16  Vogtle 1           4.5            154             3/22/1993      S    ML012330056
118  Vogtle 1           1.7     6.2   60.6   214.6     2/27/2008     MU    ML080350345
 17  Vogtle 2           4.5            154             3/22/1993      S    ML012330056
119  Vogtle 2           1.7     6.2   60.6   214.6     2/27/2008     MU    ML080350345
 75  Waterford 3        1.5             51             3/29/2002     MU    ML020940202
106  Waterford 3         8      9.5    275    326      4/15/2005      E    ML051030082
 53  Watts Bar          1.4     1.4     48     48      1/19/2001     MU    ML010260074
 24  WNP-2 (Columbia)   4.9     4.9    163    163      5/ 2/1995      S    ML022120154
 18  Wolf Creek         4.5     4.5    154    154     11/10/1993      S    ML022030519

137  Total MWt                       17,543.20
     Total MWe                         5848

Some caveats from the NRC page:
*Documents can be requested from the Public Document Room
Capacity Recapture Power Uprates for Provisional Operating License Plants are not included in this table. These are Haddam Neck uprate of 24% in 1969, Oyster Creek uprate of 14% in 1971, Palisades uprate of 15% in 1977, Ginna uprate of 17% in 1984, Maine Yankee uprate of 10% in 1989, and Indian Point 2 Uprate of 11% in 1990.

NOTE:The NRC staff approved an MUR power uprate for Fort Calhoun on January 16, 2004, which authorized an increase in the licensed thermal power limit to 1,524 megawatts-thermal. The Omaha Public Power District was subsequently informed by Westinghouse that the potential instrument inaccuracies in the Advanced Measurement and Analysis Group (AMAG) ultrasonic flow meter would not allow implementation of the MUR power uprate at Fort Calhoun. As a result, on May 7, 2004, prior to implementation of the MUR power uprate, the Omaha Public Power District submitted an exigent license amendment request to return Fort Calhoun�s licensed thermal power limit to 1,500 megawatts-thermal, the pre-MUR level. On May 14, 2004, the NRC staff approved this license amendment.

 

[Astronuc]

I combined uprates for each plant and summed the total % and MWt, and then looked at the combinations.

Uprates   No
 MU       19
 E         9
 S        30
 MU+E      4
 MU+S      5
 S+MU     19
 S+E       3
 S+MU+E    2
 S+E+MU    2
     
          93

                                   Total
NO   Reactor           Uprate      Plant    Total
                                  Uprate     MWt     
1    ANO-2               E          7.5      211
2    Beaver Valley 1     MU+E       9.4      248
3    Beaver Valley 2     MU+E       9.4      248
4    Braidwood 1         S          5        170
5    Braidwood 2         S          5        170
6    Browns Ferry 1      S          5        165
7    Browns Ferry 2      S          5        164
8    Browns Ferry 3      S          5        164
9    Brunswick 1         S+E       20        487
10   Brunswick 2         S+E       20        487
11   Byron 1             S          5        170
12   Byron 2             S          5        170
13   Callaway            S          4.5      154
14   Calvert Cliffs 1    S+MU       6.9      177
15   Calvert Cliffs 2    S+MU       6.9      177
16   Clinton             E          20       579
17   Comanche Peak 1     MU+S       5.9      201
18   Comanche Peak 2     MU+S       5.9      201
19   Cooper              MU         1.6       38
20   Crystal River 3     S+MU       6.3      157
21   D.C. Cook 1         MU         1.66      54
22   D.C. Cook 2         MU         1.66      57
23   Davis-Besse         MU         1.6       45
24   Diablo Canyon 1     S          2         73
25   Dresden 2           E         17        430
26   Dresden 3           E         17        430
27   Duane Arnold        S+E       19.4      313
28   Farley 1            S          5        138
29   Farley 2            S          5        138
30   Fermi 2             S          4        137
31   Fitzpatrick         S          4        100
32   Fort Calhoun        S          5.6       80
33   Ginna               E         16.8      255
34   Grand Gulf          MU         1.7       65
35   H. B. Robinson      S+MU       6.2      139
36   Hatch 1             S+E+MU    14.5      368
37   Hatch 2             S+E+MU    14.5      368
38   Hope Creek          MU+E      16.4      547
39   Indian Point 2      MU+S       4.66     144.6
40   Indian Point 3      MU+S       6.25     191
41   Kewaunee            MU+S       7.4      122
42   LaSalle 1           S+MU       6.6      223
43   LaSalle 2           S+MU       6.6      223
44   Limerick 1          S+MU       6.6      222
45   Limerick 2          S+MU       6.6      222
46   Millstone 2         S          5        140
47   Millstone 3         S          7        239
48   Monticello          E          6.3      105
49   Nine Mile Point 2   S          4.3      144
50   North Anna 1        S+MU       5.8      165
51   North Anna 2        S+MU       5.8      165
52   Palisades           MU         1.4       35.4
53   Palo Verde 1        S          4.9      190
54   Palo Verde 2        S          4.9      190
55   Palo Verde 3        S          4.9      190
56   Peach Bottom 2      S+MU       6.62     221
57   Peach Bottom 3      S+MU       6.62     221
58   Perry               S          5        178
59   Pilgrim             MU         1.5       30
60   Point Beach 1       MU         1.4       21.5
61   Point Beach 2       MU         1.4       21.5
62   Prairie Island 1    MU         1.6       27
63   Prairie Island 2    MU         1.6       27
64   Quad Cities 1       E         17.8      446
65   Quad Cities 2       E         17.8      446
66   River Bend          S+MU       6.7      197
67   Salem 1             S+MU       3.4      121
68   Salem 2             MU         1.4       48
69   San Onofre 2        MU         1.4       48
70   San Onofre 3        MU         1.4       48
71   Seabrook            S+MU       6.9      237
72   Sequoyah 1          MU         1.3       44
73   Sequoyah 2          MU         1.3       44
74   Shearon Harris      S          4.5      138
75   South Texas 1       MU         1.4       53
76   South Texas 2       MU         1.4       53
77   St. Lucie 1         S          5.5      140
78   St. Lucie 2         S          5.5      140
79   Surry 1             S+MU       5.9      146
80   Surry 2             S+MU       5.9      146
81   Susquehanna 1       S+MU+E    18.9      659
82   Susquehanna 2       S+MU+E    18.9      659
83   TMI-1               S          1.3       33
84   Turkey Point 3      S          4.5      100
85   Turkey Point 4      S          4.5      100
86   V. C. Summer        S          4.5      125
87   Vermont Yankee      E         20        319
88   Vogtle 1            S+MU       6.2      214.6
89   Vogtle 2            S+MU       6.2      214.6
90   Waterford 3         MU+E       9.5      326
91   Watts Bar           MU         1.4       48
92   WNP-2 (Columbia)    S          4.9      163
93   Wolf Creek          S          4.5      154

Ten units have not uprated.
ANO-1
Catawba 1
Catawba 2
Diablo Canyon 2
McGuire 1
McGuire 2
Nine Mile Point 1
Oconee 1
Oconee 2
Oconee 3

See above post for comment on Oyster Creek.

 

[pcr01]

Ok, you are welcome to chime in as well.

Thank you, pleasure to be here.

There is no such thing as a risk free life and never will be. We have a choice of managing risk or losing the benefits of technology. Technology with risk management has increased life expectancy, not reduced it.

Yes, but even though technology has granted a longer life for billions of people, at the same time, they often live a life that is not even worth living due to extreme poverty.

Also, technology has contributed to improving the infant mortality rate which contributes to the overpopulation in the underdeveloped world and for the most part the non-Caucasoid world.

Another point, why should such a risky energy producing technology be used to power ipods, TVs, kitchen appliances, and over all, such degenerate run of the mill societies such as North America (ie, divorce rate over 50%, highest incarceration rate in the world, epidemic obesity)?

200+ years ago when people talked under candlelight/fire people were less sleep deprived (humans literally got more sleep), and people were more industrious and mature down to the children regardless if they couldn't read or write.

 

[Astronuc]

Sorted by magnitude of uprate:

                              Total   Total
Reactor           Uprate      Plant    MWt  
                            % Uprate  
Sequoyah 1          MU         1.3      44
Sequoyah 2          MU         1.3      44
TMI-1                S         1.3      33
Palisades           MU         1.4      35.4
Point Beach 1       MU         1.4      21.5
Point Beach 2       MU         1.4      21.5
Salem 2             MU         1.4      48
San Onofre 2        MU         1.4      48
San Onofre 3        MU         1.4      48
South Texas 1       MU         1.4      53
South Texas 2       MU         1.4      53
Watts Bar           MU         1.4      48
Pilgrim             MU         1.5      30
Cooper              MU         1.6      38
Davis-Besse         MU         1.6      45
Prairie Island 1    MU         1.6      27
Prairie Island 2    MU         1.6      27
D.C. Cook 1         MU         1.66     54
D.C. Cook 2         MU         1.66     57
Grand Gulf          MU         1.7      65
Diablo Canyon 1     S          2        73
Salem 1             S+MU       3.4     121
Fermi 2             S          4       137
Fitzpatrick         S          4       100
Nine Mile Point 2   S          4.3     144
Callaway            S          4.5     154
Shearon Harris      S          4.5     138
Turkey Point 3      S          4.5     100
Turkey Point 4      S          4.5     100
V. C. Summer        S          4.5     125
Wolf Creek          S          4.5     154
Indian Point 2      MU+S       4.66    144.6
Palo Verde 1        S          4.9     190
Palo Verde 2        S          4.9     190
Palo Verde 3        S          4.9     190
WNP-2 (Columbia)    S          4.9     163
Braidwood 1         S          5       170
Braidwood 2         S          5       170
Browns Ferry 1      S          5       165
Browns Ferry 2      S          5       164
Browns Ferry 3      S          5       164
Byron 1             S          5       170
Byron 2             S          5       170
Farley 1            S          5       138
Farley 2            S          5       138
Millstone 2         S          5       140
Perry               S          5       178
St. Lucie 1         S          5.5     140
St. Lucie 2         S          5.5     140
Fort Calhoun        S          5.6      80
North Anna 1        S+MU       5.8     165
North Anna 2        S+MU       5.8     165
Comanche Peak 1     MU+S       5.9     201
Comanche Peak 2     MU+S       5.9     201
Surry 1             S+MU       5.9     146
Surry 2             S+MU       5.9     146
H. B. Robinson      S+MU       6.2     139
Vogtle 1            S+MU       6.2     214.6
Vogtle 2            S+MU       6.2     214.6
Indian Point 3      MU+S       6.25    191
Monticello          E          6.3     105
Crystal River 3     S+MU       6.3     157
LaSalle 1           S+MU       6.6     223
LaSalle 2           S+MU       6.6     223
Limerick 1          S+MU       6.6     222
Limerick 2          S+MU       6.6     222
Peach Bottom 2      S+MU       6.62    221
Peach Bottom 3      S+MU       6.62    221
River Bend          S+MU       6.7     197
Calvert Cliffs 1    S+MU       6.9     177
Calvert Cliffs 2    S+MU       6.9     177
Seabrook            S+MU       6.9     237
Millstone 3         S          7       239
Kewaunee            MU+S       7.4     122
ANO-2               E          7.5     211
Beaver Valley 1     MU+E       9.4     248
Beaver Valley 2     MU+E       9.4     248
Waterford 3         MU+E       9.5     326
Hatch 1             S+E+MU    14.5     368
Hatch 2             S+E+MU    14.5     368
Hope Creek          MU+E      16.4     547
Ginna               E         16.8     255
Dresden 2           E         17       430
Dresden 3           E         17       430
Quad Cities 1       E         17.8     446
Quad Cities 2       E         17.8     446
Susquehanna 1       S+MU+E    18.9     659
Susquehanna 2       S+MU+E    18.9     659
Duane Arnold        S+E       19.4     313
Clinton             E         20       579
Vermont Yankee      E         20       319
Brunswick 1         S+E       20       487
Brunswick 2         S+E       20       487

Of the 93 units that have uprated, 56 units (60%) uprated less than 6%, 17 units (18%) upreated from 6 to 7%, and 20 units (22%) uprated by more than 7%, and some the latter realized uprates of 20%. And some units have received license extensions of 20 years.

One can access reports to review what is involved in the uprates and license extensions.

 

[Drakkith]

pcr01, I find everything in your post completely absurd and based almost entirely on your own opinion. And what does it even have to do with the thread?

 

[pcr01]

pcr01, I find everything in your post completely absurd and based almost entirely on your own opinion. And what does it even have to do with the thread?

I'm just arguing the merits of technology.

 

[NUCENG]

Thank you, pleasure to be here.





Yes, but even though technology has granted a longer life for billions of people, at the same time, they often live a life that is not even worth living due to extreme poverty.

Also, technology has contributed to improving the infant mortality rate which contributes to the overpopulation in the underdeveloped world and for the most part the non-Caucasoid world.

Another point, why should such a risky energy producing technology be used to power ipods, TVs, kitchen appliances, and over all, such degenerate run of the mill societies such as North America (ie, divorce rate over 50%, highest incarceration rate in the world, epidemic obesity)?

200+ years ago when people talked under candlelight/fire people were less sleep deprived (humans literally got more sleep), and people were more industrious and mature down to the children regardless if they couldn't read or write.

Yes, we Americans live in the worst country in the world, except for all the other ones. There is extreme poverty in the world, but would that condition really be better without uprates or nuclear power? Would throwing people out of work really help? I know the United States has usually been the first on the scene in cases of natural disasters. I spent as much time in the military on humanitarian assistance than I ever did in combat. We have made mistakes, but it has mostly been with the best intentions. 200 years ago there were no cures or vaccines for polio, yellow fever, smallpox, malaria, or the plague. Kings, Queens, and Emperors ruled and their subjects had no rights of life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness. I wonder about how much sleep they really got with hunger and disease and 16 hour work days.

Just to keep this focused on the topic of this thread, yes, power uprates may be powering ipods, and televisions, and kitchen appliances. But they are also powering plants that produce medicines. They have allowed scientists to use computers to develop implrovements in agricultural production that feeds the world and hopefully soon even more of the world. Power uprates may be powering kitchen appliances - like refrigerators that have drastically cut hunger or poisoning due to spoilage. I guess that eliminating refrigerators might cut down on obesity. As bad as you think things are, do you really believe it would be better if prople didn't know how to read and write?

So what is your solution for the people whose lives aren't worth living? Overpopulation can be solved by allowing disease to return. Do you really want to go back two centuries just to get more sleep? Perhaps you would be better going back only 70 years, just before nuclear power, at a time when Hitler, Tojo, and Stalin decided there were millions of lives not worth living.

 

[Drakkith]

Is there a point to this thread anymore? It just looks like it's devolved into pointless arguing.

 

[berkeman]

Thread locked temporarily pending Moderation...

 

[NUCENG]

Sorted by magnitude of uprate:

Of the 93 units that have uprated, 56 units (60%) uprated less than 6%, 17 units (18%) upreated from 6 to 7%, and 20 units (22%) uprated by more than 7%, and some the latter realized uprates of 20%. And some units have received license extensions of 20 years.

One can access reports to review what is involved in the uprates and license extensions.

There are actually four different types of uprates to my knowledge. First, plants built in the early days were deliberately derated about 5% in compensation for perceived uncertainties in the analysis tools available at that time. As those tools improved and were validated plants performed "Stretch Power Uprates" to regain that production, Second, there are BOP uprates such as improved thermal efficiency by turbine replacements, Third, there are extended Power Uprates, based on continuing improvements in analysis tools, plant operating experience, and improved fuel designs. Finally, there are Margin Uncertainty Recovery uprates based on the more accurate measurement of Feedwater Flow in power measurement with better instrumentaion.

I appreciate the list, but at a minimum it is missing the Monticello extended power uprate.

I came to the PF forums when I found references to the Fukushima thread. I am willing to provide my technical expertise and experience to help others who are interested in that viewpoint. I will even respond to philosophical discussions if they are respectful of opposing viewpoints.