The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently granted inspection relief to Exelon's Byron Unit 2 and Braidwood Unit 1 following use of AREVA NP's innovative cavitation peening mitigation technique on each unit's reactor vessel closure head (RVCH). With this approval from the NRC, Exelon can now start the transition from inspecting the components every 18 months to once every 10 years.

AREVA NP applied its cavitation peening technique for the first time on an in-service RVCH at Byron Unit 2 in spring 2016. Subsequently, AREVA NP teams implemented the technique on the RVCHs at Braidwood Units 1 and 2, and Byron Unit 1.

An alternative to component replacement that supports a more efficient operation of the nuclear fleet

"At AREVA NP, we support the U.S. nuclear energy industry by developing innovative solutions to help the nuclear fleet operate more economically and efficiently," said Craig Ranson, senior vice president of the Installed Base Business Unit in the United States. "Our cavitation peening technique is a proven alternative to component replacement that supports facilities like Braidwood and Byron with reliable and cost-effective asset management."

Cavitation peening: an innovative solution to extend the life of the components

Cavitation peening can be applied to RVCHs and other primary components that experience primary water stress corrosion cracking. It uses ultra-high-pressure water jets to generate vapor bubbles that collapse with enough force to create beneficial compression of the components' surfaces.

This surface compression improves the components' material properties and enhances resistance to corrosion and other types of degradation, which reduces the effects of aging.

Cavitation peening extends the life of the components for more than 40 years and can be used on all reactor designs.

Tweet

For Gabon's sickly uranium miners, a long quest for compensation
Mounana, Gabon (AFP) Nov 29, 2017
"We are all sick. It's our health, and we are being conned," Moise Massala says angrily. The 82-year-old is a retired geochemist who used to work in a uranium mine in Gabon owned by French nuclear giant Areva. He and hundreds of other former workers say they fell ill from their work to extract the uranium - a source of nuclear power and warheads, but toxic and potentially carcinogenic. ... read more

Related Links
AREVA NP
Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Science, Nuclear Technology
Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only