Exploring an Abandoned Nuclear Power Plant

Sep 28, 2016 12:04 PM

michaelbrnd

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My friend and I recently found our way into a decommissioned nuclear power plant and explored it. Here are some of the pictures I took.

The control room was straight out of the 70's or 80's.

This was the door into the core of the reactor.

And here is the inside.

Looks pretty much straight out of a sci-fi movie.

I'm guessing that these triangular pieces are the top parts of fuel rod assemblies, which would have extended down below. If anyone actually knows anything about nuclear power plants and can correct me, let me know!

We had a Geiger counter on us for the whole exploration but it never showed even slightly higher than normal readings. I guess they did a pretty good job decontaminating it before they abandoned it. If you're interested in seeing more, we made a video of the entire exploration that you can see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONEm1ph3MP4

create a life sized model of homer simpson sit him there for eternity

9 years ago | Likes 108 Dislikes 0

proper people on imgur +1

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Press all the buttons!

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Now you have a place to film your star trek parodies.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

"What super powers did I get?" "None. You have Hodgins Lymphoma."

9 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

+ proper people

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Yup

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Pripyat is very nice this time of year

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Oh shit. Awesome. I love The Proper People.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

"Found our way"

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Um... So it's just.. Like, standing there? And you can go in?

9 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

No, when people has "we found our way in", it is a euphemism for "breaking and entering".

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You can't *go in*, but you can *make your way* in by *totally not* using the back door which is maybe not locked.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Love the seemingly useless security number pad right inside the door...

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

...Fine, I'll say it..."Where'd all those tax dollars go?"...and somewhere someones dad or mum is shitting a basket of kittens...

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The $6 billion spent on that plant ended up being subsidized though a higher energy bill in Long Island.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It's all fun in games until you run into a deathclaw.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yea. You're gonna get cancer.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Plant only operated for two or three years before being shut down. It wouldn't have been that dirty after decontamination.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Did you see a board that said "do it for her" on it?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

*Sits on control panel alarms start blaring* "Well now, what did homer always do to solve this?"

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I'm confused... Did you provide the lighting?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

In the reactor pictures yes, control room pics no, there was power.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Nice of them to leave the lights on

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I call bullshit. The lights are on, not so much as a stray beer can on the floor, indicating this place is still secured. This was a tour.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It wasn't a tour, the facility around it is still operational and secure. Someone just forgot to lock the back door.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Their faces are on the video making them vulnerable to a breaking and entering charge. They were LET in and had permission.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Their faces are in all their videos. Doesn't mean they got permission to visit every place. They've even been caught.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

How does this place still have electricity?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

After 2 minutes of research, I'm guessing this to be the Rancho Seco plant.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

It's not

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

"On 23 October 2009, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission released the majority of the site for unrestricted public use,"

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I believe that is what we call, "Breaking and Entering."

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 6

B and E? That's Grade 10 shit.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

Yeah, TPP has never been shy about admitting that what they're doing is illegal.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

there are former nuclear plants open to tourists in the world. they have to be vetted to make sure they're free from contamination though.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

How does one, " find their way into a nuclear facility?" how high were you OP?

9 years ago | Likes 80 Dislikes 0

That still has all the lights on too

9 years ago | Likes 37 Dislikes 0

Why.. Are the lights on?

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

my assumption is that it's a tourist thing, preserved as a kind of time capsule.most nuclear plants (even deconed) have some token security.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

It's part of a larger facility that's still somewhat active, and the switchgear in the basement is fully functional(not output, input).

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Thank you for not smashing stuff up and painting dicks on the walls. Great exploration.

9 years ago | Likes 221 Dislikes 0

Lack of graffiti strongly suggests they had permission and an escort for this tour.

9 years ago | Likes 41 Dislikes 0

I've been watching for some time and, if they're not lying, they never have permission. They just break in, but never damaging stuff, (1/?)

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

for example, they get in via breaches in fences or open gates. This is because their 'etiquette' involves no vandalizing at all. (2/2)

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Broke into the same place

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Why is that so damn common to do for people? You don't have to be highly educated to appreciate history/stuff, and not destroy it

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

Humans like to leave a mark

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Yeah I'm guessing most of the people already leave a skid-MARK

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Most decommissioned plants have security around 24/7. I assume this is Russia or Europe?

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

probably, also probably just a tourist thing.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Ok yeah, that plant was actually on Pandora's Promise (Netflix) it was decommissioned almost as soon as it opened, due to protestors.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

YUUUSSSS. I totally guessed it was Shoreham!!

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

YUUUSSSS. I totally guessed it was Shoreham!!

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

OP, fuel rods and control rods are located at the very top of the reactor vessel. They also extend way up to permit up and down travel.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

fuel rods? what flavor crack are you smoking I know of control rods and non moving fuel cells however i have not worked at a civilian plant

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Fuel cells are for race cars. Fuel rods are what they put the pellets in and a bunch of rods make up the fuel assemblies.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

the rods are halfnium, a neutron absorber, used to control the rate of the fission.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

No, they're not. They're usually a zirconium alloy. The CONTROL rods are made out of a neutron absorber. Hence why they're CONTROL rods.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

i do believe that we are arguing the same point on this, the control rods for most A5W naval reactors use halfnium due to the high 1/2

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You have no idea how many rads you picked OP. This was a foolish adventure. Thanks for the pics, though.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 3

Eh? What was wrong with his Geiger counter?

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

I don't think a geiger counts EVERYTHING, like alpha or neutron emitters. And it can't differentiate, some rads are worse than others.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Further reading says it does pick up alpha. Limits: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geiger_counter#Limitations

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

... you're worried about him picking up alpha radiation? The stuff gets successfully stopped by your top layer of skin?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

That's beta. Alpha emitters are the strongest biological disruptors and while clothing can stop alpha, if you inhale it you're fucked.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

No, it's not. Alpha can't penetrate your skin. Beta can. Feel free to look it up.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I can't believe his geiger stayed normal the whole journey. No way they'd manage to decontaminate everything near the reactor

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

The plant only operated a few years. It wouldn't have been that dirty yet.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I'm sorry to hear about you turning into a Ghoul, OP. I hope you find a settlement that accepts you and may you never go feral.

9 years ago | Likes 393 Dislikes 2

Oh no, raiders

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

The slog accepts ghouls like you @OP or perhaps you could try good neighbor.

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

and tell Hancock ^^ sent you.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Might as well just start this plant back up and call it Gecko

9 years ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 0

I'll be Gordon of Gecko.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Talk to my man Hancock down in Goodneighbor, and watch out for Bobbi, she's a real cunt.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Always welcome in sanctuary 134 food and 220 defense so fat and safe

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Also let me know if that settlement needs my help

9 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

@PrestonGarvey, found you another for the Minutemen.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It does.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

ROCKET 69 ROCKET 69

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Yeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0