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Decay tank of Savar N-reactor

Deviation from original plan may have caused leakage

By Morshed Ali Khan
Experts are investigating whether a deviation from the original plan for construction of the Nuclear Reactor at Savar in 1986 caused the leakage in its decay tank in July last.
The reactor was constructed by an American company, General Atomic California, at a cost of Tk 14 crore. It produced Iodine-based radio-pharmaceuticals for use in diagnosis and treatment at different nuclear medical centres in the country.
Sources in Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) confirmed that they have detected a deviation from the original plan in constructing a pipeline' In the cooling system of the reactor.
"We have contacted the company In California and its representatives expressed surprise at the deviation, saying things like this do not usually happen." said a BAEC official.
Operation of the 3 MW reactor of the Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE) has remained suspended since July 17 following detection of a leakage in the decay tank of the cooling system. The pure aluminum tank, about 30 feet long, protected by up to five-tonne concrete slabs. The reactor has ever since been isolated from the cooling system.
When asked whether the
General Atomic California would be held liable for the cost of reconstruction as per original plan. Chairman of BAEC MA Qualyum replied that the warranty on the construction expired long ago, "so we will try to repair It locally."
An Investigation committee consisting of experts from Dhaka University, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Islamic Institute of Technology and BAEC
is still working to determine the actual cause of the leakage. "We will not be able to say whether the leakage occurred due to the deviation or anything else unless the committee submits its findings," said Quai-yum.
About repair of the aluminium decay tank, a BAEC source said that in Bangladesh, only the Air Force and NarayanganJ Dockyard had the technological expertise to repair the tank.
Explaining the damage to the tank, he said corrosion in it caused the leakage.
Some nuclear scientists cast doubt whether routine checkups were conducted at the site. "Corrosion in aluminum occurs over a long time. How did it remain undetected? Asked one scientist, preferring anonymity.
He said while in operation, the reactor tank generates radioactive nitrogen whose half-life is 7.13 seconds'. To decay the radio active generation’ it is delayed in the decay tank which is also known as delay tank’. The leakage occurred In this tank, he said.
Asked how much radiation could have escaped in the surroundings. he replied that when dispersed, the quantity of radioactivity in the tank would be very negligible.