There appear to be cracks in the RPV at Doel #3, Belgium. Not surprisingly, very little information is available at this time.
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120810-709795.html
Looks like it's a Westinghouse, 3-loop PWR. The article states there are 10 plants in the US whos RPV's were made by Rotterdam Drydock. According to Wlrun, there are 13 such plants in the US.
Hmm, I work at a Westinghouse 3 loop PWR. It will be interesting to see where this goes.
Justin
More info here:
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/08/10/belgians-skeptical-that-nuclear-reactor-will-come-back-online-after-cracks-discovered-near-core/ (http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/08/10/belgians-skeptical-that-nuclear-reactor-will-come-back-online-after-cracks-discovered-near-core/)
I knew I recalled reading some boring dry engineering info in the 90s regarding the first 2 Doel units and some experiments in vessel annealment for RTT issues. The unit in the news is a newer unit of different design, but the weld copper issues remain. Does your unit still perform embrittlement specimen testing?
http://www.jsme.or.jp/monograph/pes/1999/ICONE7/PAPERS/TRACK04/FP7445.PDF (http://www.jsme.or.jp/monograph/pes/1999/ICONE7/PAPERS/TRACK04/FP7445.PDF)
BV U1 has RTT issues.
Justin