Advanced Nuclear Power - AREVA

F O C U SSGRSteam Generator ReplacementSteam generators are among themost important components innuclear pressurized water reactor(PWR) power plants. However, due tomechanical and thermal loading, corrosionby the reactor coolant and secondarywater, vibrations, etc., their lifespan has been limited. Replacing theselarge components, once considered toodifficult, has become commonplace.Over the years, the difficulties ofreplacing large components such assteam generators (SGs) have beenresolved. Today, replacement can becombined with a reactor powerupgrade to improve return on investmentover extended periods of operationenabled by license renewal.Framatome ANP:The Leader in SteamGenerator ReplacementsOut of 58 steam generatorreplacement (SGR) projects,Framatome ANP has performed 27operations (for a total of 79 steamgenerators replaced), more than anyother company in the world.The first (SGR) in the US tookplace at Surry in 1980, and the firstEuropean replacement was performedin Germany at Obrigheim bySiemens/KWU in 1983. Since then,there have been many such replacementsin Belgium, France, Germany,Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerlandand the United States. This experiencealso has given rise to long and closecollaboration between Framatome andSiemens/KWU through the consortiumcreated in 1990 for the replacementand/or the supply of steam generators.Whereas early replacementsconsumed upwards of a year to complete,the physical steam generatorreplacement today can be accomplishedin mere weeks, with extensivepre-planning and preparation.The Role of an NSSSDesigner and ConstructorFramatome ANP, as NSSS designerand constructor, has extensive knowl-edge of PWR design, construction andnuclear services, which is essential forsteam generator replacement. Due tothe large number of replacementscompleted, Framatome ANP has solidexpertise in large industrial projectsinvolving multiple subcontractors,managing the interfaces between thesesubcontractors, and the on-sitereplacement work itself which has tobe executed within a short period oftime to limit reactor downtime.Contracts Adapted toEach CustomerFramatome ANP offers its customers awide range of packages to suit all theirneeds, from part sub-contracting tocomplete turn-key contracts. Itsactivities range from the feasibilitystudy to supply of steam generatorsmanufactured in its Chalon SaintMarcel factory, delivery of reactorcoolant systems, secondary coolingsystems and auxiliary systems connected,inspected and ready for testing,including assistance for restart finetuningtests and power upgrading.Framatome ANP can provide all necessarylicensing assistance to the utilityto demonstrate the compatibility ofthe new SGs with the rest of the plant.Some of Framatome ANP's SGreplacements have been turn-key contracts,ensuring maximum safety to thecustomer by reducing the number ofinterfaces with subcontractors. In theUS, Framatome ANP commonlyworks in a subcontractor role to theoperator or to the Steam GeneratorTeam (SGT).Innovative and ProvenTechniquesIn 1996, PSEG Nuclear, formerlyPublic Service Gas and Electric(PSE&G), located in New Jersey, wassuddenly faced with having to replacethe generators at Salem Unit 1. Therewas no time to order new generators.The solution devised was to use the18 Advanced Nuclear Power 08/200108/2001 Advanced Nuclear Power 19