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DepartmentsEquipment & ServicesAngra 2: SecondRefueling OutageCompleted inJust 25 DaysIn mid-May 2003, the Brazilian PWRplant Angra 2 was resynchronizedto the grid following a refueling outagethat took just 25 days – five lessthan originally planned. This successwas the result of a number of factors,most notably the expertise of theplant operator ELETRONUCLEAR(Eletrobrás Termonuclear S.A.), combinedwith Framatome ANP’s IntegratedServices Concept, detailed planningand preparations conducted in closecollaboration with ELETRONUCLEARprior to the outage. Last but not least,the excellent partnership that hasgrown between ELETRONUCLEARand Framatome ANP was a major factor.As in the case of the first annualrefueling outage in 2002, Framatome ANPwas asked to perform a wide range ofactivities, totaling around 75 percentof all outage work. The package coveredthe full scope of reactor services andrefueling, cleaning of all four steamgenerators, extensive inspections onall four reactor coolant pumps andmaintenance work on a variety ofvalves as well as on electrical andinstrumentation & control (I&C) systems.Even unplanned contingencies werequickly dealt with during the outage.For example, when irreparable damagewas discovered during an in-servicepressurizer valve inspection, Framatome-ANP was able – thanks to good on-siteorganization, a strong back office inGermany and wholehearted supportfrom its subcontractors – to have areplacement valve manufactured inGermany in just five days and installedat the plant in compliance with theapplicable specifications withoutcausing any delay in the outage schedule.Framatome ANP is proud that its effortshave contributed to ELETRONUCLEAR’ssuccess at Angra 2.New PLC System Reduces CoreOff/Re-load TimeSouthern Nuclear OperatingCompany (SNC) awardedFramatome ANP’s Stearns RogerServices, a contract to supply a controlsystem upgrade for the SNC –Farley Unit 2 manipulator crane.The upgrade included both theengineering and equipment required toreplace the original relay logic controlsystem with a programmable logiccontroller (PLC) system. The PWRmanipulator crane at Framatome ANP’sTechnical Training Center, located inLynchburg, Virginia, was used toperform Factory Acceptance testing forthe Farley Unit 2 upgrade. The upgradecontrol panels were temporarilyconnected to the manipulator craneto simulate actual plant operatingconfiguration requirements. ThisI&C Training Takes the Showon the RoadTo facilitate training its UScustomers for digital I&C upgrades,Framatome ANP unveiled a mobiletraining center to deliver trainingat customers’ sites. The sleek, black 53'(16.15 meters) former NASCARtransporter has been outfitted with fullyfunctional TELEPERM XP andTELEPERM XS cabinets, workstationswith 6-8 dedicated computers, a20'x22' (6.09 meters x 6.70 meters)classroom for 8-10 students, a soundsystem and overhead projector.The mobile training center is the resultof a joint effort between Framatome ANPand Siemens Westinghouse to delivertraining for the Integrated OperatingTeam (IOT). The IOT will initiallyoffer 4 different classes forTELEPERM XP and TELEPERM XS.Classes are tailored for the nuclearindustry and fulfill the Institute offormal testing verified correct controlsystem operation and interlock functions.SNC’s Farley Nuclear Plant personnelwitnessed the testing, performedhands-on operation of the controlpanels and verified actual plantoperational procedures. SNC wasimpressed with the Training Center’sequipment mock-up and expressedtheir pleasure with the testingconfiguration to satisfy both equipmentdesign and preliminary operatortraining.The new PLC system will increase themanipulator crane operating speeds,which results in a reduction of core offload/re-loadtime, as well as replacingobsolete components, thereby reducingextensive preventive maintenance.The I&C Mobile Training Centerready to goNuclear Power Operations (INPO)accreditation criteria. The trainingcenter is already booked throughJanuary 2004, with three sites receivingon-site training. By bringing this stateof-the-arttraining facility to customers’sites, Framatome ANP makes handsontraining available to the greatestnumber of employees at the lowest cost.22 Advanced Nuclear Power N O 9 November 2003