Would You Trust an 80-Year-Old Nuclear Reactor? 429
the_newsbeagle writes "The worst nuclear near-disaster that you've never heard of came to light in 2002, when inspectors at Ohio's Davis-Besse nuclear power station discovered that a slow leak had been corroding a spot on the reactor vessel's lid for years (PDF). When they found the cavity, only 1 cm of metal was left to protect the nuclear core. That kind of slow and steady degradation is a major concern as the US's 104 reactors get older and grayer, says nuclear researcher Leonard Bond. U.S. reactors were originally licensed for 40 years of operation, but the majority have already received extensions to keep them going until the age of 60. Industry researchers like Bond are now determining whether it would be safe and economically feasible to keep them active until the age of 80. Bond describes the monitoring techniques that could be used to watch over aging reactors, and argues that despite the risks, the U.S. needs these aging atomic behemoths."
Meanwhile, some very, very rich individuals have taken an interest in the future of nuclear power.
I wouldn't. (Score:5, Funny)
I wouldn't trust an 80-year-old anything.
O.G. Nuclear Reactor (Score:4, Funny)
I trust the sun.
Re:If only there were another solution... (Score:5, Funny)
That's why I'm terrified of nuclear families.
Re:I wouldn't. (Score:5, Funny)
If you think engineers can safely build a nuclear reactor and operate it for 40 years, why is 80 years different if they can demonstrate strong engineering judgement?
If I can safely run 40 feet along a pier without falling into the water, why is 80 feet any different?
Re:I wouldn't. (Score:5, Funny)
No, it's a question for the CEO/Board of Directors. When they want the opinion of engineers/scientists, they'll give it to them.
Re:I wouldn't. (Score:4, Funny)
Well, the original estimate was 30 feet, but then I increased that estimate to 40 feet. Then I figured that since I hadn't fallen into the water after one extension of my estimate, I could extend the estimate to 80 feet.
Re:I wouldn't. (Score:5, Funny)
Not me, I voted for the honest hard working guy.
Re:I wouldn't. (Score:5, Funny)
I wouldn't trust your grandfather for two seconds.
Two things:
1) Old people run dangerously low on fucks, and therefore have much less to give. Not good. Especially, if they can be amused by whatever their addled, senile brains have come up with.
2) The old adage that youth and skill will always fail when faced with old age and treachery. After years of collecting data on this phenomenon I confidently state this is as true as gravity.
My grandfather is gone, and I do miss him terribly, but I do also sleep better without worrying what prank he is going to play next. That, and my mother screaming, "get your balls off my couch old man". He refused to wear anything other than a kimono that did not fit him.