Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL) confirmed that it has delayed the anticipated restart for its National Research Universal (NRU) nuclear reactor in Chalk River, Ontario, to April.
In its January 27 update, AECL reported difficulties in deploying specialized tooling for its current sequence of repairs. The problems have been addressed and welding was scheduled to resume by the end of this week.
"In light of the continuing technical challenges, the project team has reviewed the return-to-service work plan," the statement read. "As a result of the review, NRU's targeted return-to-service has been updated to April. The first medical isotopes will begin to be removed from the NRU for processing and distribution within 10 days of the reactor being returned to service."
ACEL estimated that 29% of the repair activities have been completed.
The reactor, which supplies approximately half of the demand for medical isotopes in the U.S., has been offline since the discovery of a major water leak in May 2009.
Related Reading
Chalk River restart may be delayed, January 15, 2010
AECL requests uranium from U.S., January 7, 2010
AECL reactor repairs on schedule, December 24, 2009
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Canadian panel promotes new reactor, December 8, 2009
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