The THTR Circulars from 2003

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THTR Circular No. 82 April 2003

THTR microspheres: Plutonium in the garden

Anyone who has dealt a little with the THTR knows from numerous illustrations its graphite fuel element balls, which have a diameter of approx. 6 cm. These contain several thousand so-called PAC spheres (= plutonium, americium, curium) and are highly radioactive. As the weekly newspaper "Freitag" reported, precisely these small hollow spheres were found in the garden soil in residential areas of Hanau. In the immediate vicinity, the Nukem company manufactured them on a large scale for the THTR Hamm, among others. The PAC beads were also found in Geesthacht near the GKSS research center and are apparently connected to sensational leukemia cases. In addition, illegal research into the development of mini-nuclear weapons was carried out here, which apparently resulted in accidents. The operation of the THTR Hamm also suffered a ball breakage and numerous incidents between 1985 and 1988. Do the THTR incidents and their consequences need to be reassessed and investigated in the light of the facts now published? First read the article by Sebastian Pflugbeil in "Freitag":

In the vicinity of the Geesthacht nuclear facilities (Krümmel nuclear power plant and GKSS research center)
is the most noticeable increase in leukemia cases in children worldwide. The problems began in 1990. Leukemia commissions in Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony looked for the causes. You could rule out all possible causes except for one - radioactive radiation. (...) For two years now, those involved in the discovery have received substantial support. A working group led by Professor Arthur Scharmann from the University of Gießen became aware of the absurd explanations of the Schleswig-Holstein officials about the origin of plutonium. The experts in favor of atomic energy wanted to know exactly - they took and analyzed soil samples from both banks of the Elbe and found “spheres” that they were familiar with from work at the company Nukem (Hanau). These are hollow spheres that are millimeters in size and contain varying degrees of nuclear fuel or fissile materials inside. They are well known as PAC beads in the nuclear physics literature. Their structure is similar to the pellets from which the fuel elements for the thorium high-temperature reactor were manufactured in Hamm - these pellets were manufactured on an industrial scale in Hanau. Alarmed by the “globule finds in residential areas on the Elbe, the Scharmann group examined the soil in a Hanau residential area, a few 100 meters from the premises of the notorious Hanau nuclear power plant. The globules were also found in this residential area. On behalf of the Doctors' Organization for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), very complex measurements were then carried out at the Universities of Gießen and Marburg, which demonstrated the nuclear origin of the spheres, enriched uranium, plutonium isotopes, americium and curium. In addition to the isotopes typical for nuclear fission, there were isotopes that occur in the area of ​​fusion. This corresponds to the information in the specialist literature.
The “globule finds appeared so adventurous that they had to be checked. In an excursion to Hanau, a group of experts commissioned by the IPPNW, to which the author belonged, put the test to the test, took soil samples in the “Wolfgang” residential area and examined them immediately. A couple of photo bowls, a tea strainer, tweezers and reflected light microscopes were enough to separate the “globules” within minutes. The question immediately arose where these pellets containing nuclear fuel or fissile material come from and how they got into the residential areas.

An increasingly dense network of evidence indicates that there must have been an accident both at the GKSS research center on the Elbe and at Nukem, in which a fusion-splitting hybrid reactor or a comparable device was probably destroyed. There is much to suggest that the accidents happened in September 1986 in the GKSS Geesthacht and in January 1997 in Hanau.

In the event of an explosion or fire, the tiny particles were distributed over hundreds to thousands of meters in the area.
On October 14, the Schleswig-Holstein Leukemia Commission met on its own initiative and for the first time publicly on site in Marschacht (Elbmarsch) after the responsible Ministry of Finance had blocked the work of the commission for almost two years. The reports of the Scharmann group and an overview work on the radioactive pollution in the vicinity of the Geesthacht nuclear facilities were discussed - all work was carried out on behalf of the IPPNW and the citizens' initiative against leukemia in the Elbmarsch. The leukemia commission was extremely concerned about the submitted investigations - in particular about the fact that in the residential areas in the Elbmarsch and in Hanau not only the PAC pellets are lying around in the gardens, but also smaller beads that should normally be inside the PAC beads. These tiny spheres are ten to 50 micrometers in diameter and are barely visible to the naked eye. They are so light that they can be easily blown up with dust and inhaled. We now know what these tiny spheres are made of: to a large extent from plutonium isotopes, americium and curium, all devil stuff and highly toxic.
To this day, the responsible ministries, the nuclear supervisory authority in Hesse and Schleswig-Holstein, the environment ministry in Berlin and an impressive phalanx of experts loyal to the government are denying everything. The globules are declared as “worm droppings”, their nuclear origin is disputed, and the contamination of the residential areas with plutonium and enriched uranium is denied. The fairy tales of the authorities can have various causes: personal weaknesses of those responsible, an interest in the image of a healthy nuclear economy or not wanting to admit to having slept for 16 years or lied.
There may be an even simpler explanation. We know from the literature that these beads are not only useful for fusion energy research, but also for Development of nuclear weapons were used. In an expert report from 1987, the Stasi expressed its concern that there might be work being done on the development of mini-nuclear weapons in northern Germany. If that is true, we are not only dealing with leukemia in children, but also with the illegal, semi-legal issue of German nuclear weapons, which is highly explosive in both domestic and foreign policy. If that is true, we must be lied to ex officio. "(December 6, 12)

In response to a letter to the editor from the Nukem employee Linhart, Sebastian Pflugbeil wrote in "Freitag" on January 10, 2003:
(...) "Mr. Linhart should know that globules of the type described were produced on a large scale in Hanau - for the Thorium high temperature reactor in Hamm. So far, however, no one has thought it possible that nuclear material of this type would appear outside the company premises in residential areas. (...) The photographed spheres are hollow spheres that do not emit any strong radiation to the outside. The dangerous radionuclides mentioned are located inside the spheres, the alpha and beta rays are intercepted by the very stable spherical shell. First, the hollow spheres were identified under the microscope; they have dimensions between 100 and 2.000 micrometers. It was only in the latest ELB5 report that it was possible to separate the tiny heavy metal spheres that were supposed to be inside the hollow spheres. These heavy metal spheres are also lying around freely in the gardens. They have a diameter of 10-50 micrometers, they can be easily carried by the wind or inhaled. These spheres have been documented with an electron microscope and measured by mass spectrometry with SIMS (ELB5). They actually contain the whole bouquet of particularly dangerous radionuclides.
(...) But if you have not separated the globules, you cannot examine them either - in fact, not a single state-commissioned expert has examined the structure and content of the globules so far. The soil analyzes carried out were consistently unable to record this particular form of contamination. "

On January 17, 1, the TAZ reported that the investigations by the Lübeck public prosecutor's office into the leukemia cases in the Elbmarsch had been stopped, against which the IPPNW medical association lodged a complaint.

What does the new information mean for the THTR Hamm?

With the graphite fuel element balls in which the PAC balls are located, there were constant problems during the THTR operation. The balls often got stuck in the loading system and broke. In May 1986 an attempt was made to blow away the blocking ball with high gas pressure. Contaminated helium then flowed into the lock and escaped outside through a valve that was opened by mistake into the chimney. The technician, who tried his hand at the necessary device for six hours, shot up to 30 bullets afterwards in order to free the clogged pipe again. There were also numerous jams in the so-called ball exhaust pipe with similar problems.
The density of the spheres in the pebble was greater than had been predicted by the operators. The core bars bent and the high pressure broke more balls than intended. There was a lot of radioactive ball breakage and graphite dust that had to be extracted. In the incident in May 1986, of all times, the measuring devices were switched off and one of the biggest scandals in German nuclear power history occurred. The radioactive “release rate” could only be “estimated” roughly at the THTR.
The operators of the THTR stated that a single fuel element ball would only be damaged every two years. In mid-1987 there were already 8.000! Since the abrasion of the spherical fuel elements caused more and more problems, several additional fine filters were only installed after the accident in May 1986.
The multi-layered problems with ball breakage in the THTR over many years make at least one thing very clear. It cannot be completely ruled out that, as has now become known in the Hanau and Geesthacht case, spherical components or even PAC spheres have escaped from the reactor. Since the PAC beads do not initially emit any strong radiation to the outside, they could not be noticed with the conventional measuring methods at the time. Providing evidence of radioactive substances outside the reactor today would be relatively expensive. Possible PAC beads would have to be tracked down with the help of an orienting measuring program. Together with in-depth studies, this would be relatively expensive and would have to be financed by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

One of the largest green district associations in Germany worked hard. In January, the KV Münster's members' circular reported on the problem: "It's hard to believe, but the crypts are opening ...". An open letter to Federal Environment Minister Trittin was discussed and adopted at a general meeting.

One passage that deals with the current global political situation is particularly interesting: “The mode of operation of the pebble bed reactor paired with uncontrolled mass production reveals unmistakable dangers that go beyond the unanswered questions of 'peaceful use'. In contrast to conventional nuclear power plants, nuclear fuel in the form of small graphite spheres can be continuously added to or removed from the pebble bed reactor during operation. A control over the enriched radioactive material, which can contain plutonium already produced during operation, seems almost impossible to us. Who can then prevent the construction of a 'dirty bomb', i.e. the admixture of radioactive material or even the construction of an atomic bomb? The small reactors in underdeveloped countries are also excellent targets for terrorist attacks. It is particularly to be feared that additional containment will be dispensed with, as in Hamm-Uentrop. (...) Isn't the software developed by the FZJ for interconnecting the individual modules a further development of reactor technology? And can this research then still be declared as safety-relevant accompanying research? Do you see a need for action - regardless of the exit law - to also ban German private companies from exporting nuclear technology? ”- Perhaps other green district associations will follow the example of the Münster residents and speak up!
Several people are directly involved in the decisions for the export of German THTR know-how to South Africa due to their responsibilities. These include Federal Environment Minister Trittin, Federal Research Minister Bulmahn and ver.di Chairman Bsirske as a member of the Senate of the Helmholtz Association responsible for content control in Jülich.
BI Environmental Protection Hamm addressed these people in a four-page letter asking them to evaluate the processes described and asking them to do everything in their power to ensure that at least in the future German support for the construction of further nuclear power plants in South Africa would not be available. We look forward to the answers.
Supraregional journals have also recently reported on Forschungszentrum Jülich. The monthly magazine "Anti Atom Current" printed an article on “Plutonium Technology for South Africa” in its March issue.
In two articles in the monthly magazine "Grassroots Revolution" In March and April, Horst Blume also tries to arouse national interest in the topic and writes: “The individual parts of the reactor are to be assembled from Chinese, American, Russian and Turkish components. All countries that have had an interest in the THTR for decades, whose representatives at FZ Jülich took over and are proudly highlighted as cooperation partners by this famous research center on its website to this day. Nobody is talking about an 'nuclear phase-out' here. "
This year's conference of the anti-nuclear movement will take place in Münster from May 1st to 4th.

From March 24th to 26th the telephone wires ran hot in Münsterland and Hamm. During this time, three nuclear waste containers from Brunsbüttel and Brokdorf were supposed to cross this region. Radio Lippewelle and the WDR already reported our verbal protests against this Castor transport in the “shadow of war”, until it became clear that the train was taking a detour via Halle in order to continue on to France. It was the first time since May 2001 that the Castor took a new route.

“Once four participants came, immediately before the Castor transport in March 1998 there were more than 6000 - for the 100th Sunday walk, BI chairman Burkhard Helling reviewed the long history of these protest rallies yesterday. Around 250 participants had gathered in the pedestrian zone in front of the town hall for the 'anniversary' in the sunshine, applauded the rousing live band and let themselves be catered for by the 'people's kitchen'. (...) In his retrospect, Helling also recalled the numerous initiatives, associations and other groups that had taken part in the walks over the years - from the Catholic women's community to rural youth to Pax Christi. ”(From: Münsteraner Zeitung dated March 17, 3)

The Hammer Lord Mayor Hunsteger-Petermann (CDU) was presented on February 20.02.2003, 180 in the FAZ on page three with a photo as an exemplary conservative bearer of hope. According to the FAZ, master butcher HP, as the “only craftsman at the top of a major German city”, shows the CDU how to do it: “Hamm was full of construction sites for three years. Every quarter, Hunsteger-Petermann, Lord Mayor of the city with 000 inhabitants on the eastern edge of the Ruhr area, will now celebrate one opening after the other. (...) There are still 18 months until the next local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia: Time to reap the benefits of his first term as directly elected full-time mayor. "

The last edition of the NRW supplement of the Süddeutsche Zeitung was published not on Friday, March 13th, but on March 14th. A quality journalism practiced for 18 months came to an inglorious end due to economic difficulties. A number of excellently researched articles from the NRW supplement about the KFA Jülich were published in
reprinted in the last few months in the THTR circular. Now there is only the TAZ as the only national "quality newspaper" with four NRW pages only on Thursdays. A sign of poverty for the NRW media landscape.
"When a newspaper dies, we also lose a piece of ourselves every time," the SZ editorial team quotes the Italian writer Ignazio Silone (1900-1978), who is not read that much in Germany. It is even less known that he was a very committed communist and later socialist writer. One last, hidden sign of the dismissed NRW editorial team?
Even the supposedly left-wing Frankfurter Rundschau, which in reality is at best close to the SPD, is in a deep economic crisis and had to beg for financial support from Hesse's far-right Prime Minister Koch, of all places. Since the FR has repeatedly attracted attention in recent years by refusing to print paid advertisements for the peace movement, it should not have been too difficult for Koch to support this newspaper.

In THTR circulars 72 and 79 we reported on the company Montanhydraulik, which also has a location in Hamm with 100 employees. She is said to be involved in illegal arms exports to India. In response to our request, the public prosecutor's office did not provide any information after one and a half years and referred to reports in the media that were to be expected at a later date. This was - as far as the WA is concerned - with four lines and without reference to Hamm and without mentioning the company name
very poor. That is why the Focus report on the Agni nuclear missiles from March 10.03.2003, XNUMX is cited here:

“Last Friday, the Dortmund public prosecutor had two managing directors of Holzwickeder Montanhydraulik GmbH arrested on suspicion of illegal arms exports to India. Investigators searched the company's premises on Thursday. The public prosecutor accuses the brothers Peter, 59, and Michael L., 50, of having declared and carried out nine deliveries of hydraulic cylinders as so-called bridge layers between 1997 and 2000. The managers would have known that this cutting-edge technology was intended for the Agni-type medium-range missile capable of nuclear weapons. Weapons technicians in New Delhi are said to have installed the cylinders in mobile rocket launchers, according to the investigation that has been going on for two years. "

Easter march in Hamm on Saturday, April 19.04.2003th, XNUMX! The opening rally will (probably !!) take place at 14 p.m. on the station forecourt. Then the demonstration through the city center follows. At 16 p.m. the peace festival takes place at the starting point. Information in the joint shop: 41511

Dear readers!
Since December, 25 subscribers have donated to the THTR newsletter. Thank you very much for this! This result shows that there are still quite a few people for whom critical reporting on the THTR and an admittedly small journalistic counterweight to the monopoly press are important. Our further appearance is therefore assured. Donations for our public relations work are still necessary.

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