January-February, 2018 Volume 36 No

Nuclear Plant Instrumentation & Journal Control An International Publication Published in the United States

January-February, 2018 Volume 36 No. 1

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nuclearsupplier.com • [email protected] • (630) 352-3686 Nuclear Plant Journal  Instrumentation & January-February 2018, Volume 36 No. 1 Control 36th Year of Publication Articles & Reports Nuclear Plant Journal is published by Cable Aging Management in Nuclear Power Plants 20 EQES, Inc. six times a year. It is mailed By H.M. Hashemian, AMS Corporation in February, April, June, August, October, Need for Marketplace Recognition 22 and December (the Annual Directory). By Maria Korsnick, Nuclear Energy Institute The subscription rate for non-qualiﬁ ed Leveraging U.S. Research Expertise 24 readers in the United States is $210.00 By Rita Baranwal, Idaho National Laboratory for six issues per year. The additional air Gen III Passive Nuclear Power Technology 27 mail cost for non-U.S. readers is $30.00. By Zheng Mingguang, Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research & Design, China Payment may be made by American Express, Master Card, VISA or check The Challenges of Greater Safety 29 and should accompany the order. Checks By Thomas Fink, SCHOTT, Germany may be made payable to "EQES, Inc." Checks not drawn on a United States EPC Success 31 bank should include an additional $45.00 By Ty Troutman, Bechtel service fee. All inquiries should be ad- Extending the Calibration Intervals of Process Instruments 33 dressed to Nuclear Plant Journal, 3051 By Brent. D. Shumaker, AMS Corporation Oak Grove Road, Suite 107, Downers Grove, IL 60515 U.S.A; Phone: (630) TVA’s Clinch River Site SMR Project 42 858-6161, ext. 103; Fax: (630) 852-8787, Hanhikivi 1 44 email: [email protected]. By Jouni Sipiläinen, Fennovoima, Finland

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Worldwide Service Centers l 800.223.7867 l hydroinc.com Contact: CNNC, telephone: 86 10 Building Liner Dome section was New Energy 68512211, fax: 86 10 68533989. installed and concrete pouring for the dome was completed on Unit 3, and the Flamanville Reactor Containment Liner Plate Rings, On January 6, 2018, EDF completed Reactor Vessel, Steam Generators and the cold functional test phase for the Condenser were installed on Unit 4. Chashma Flamanville EPR. This stage is part of Meanwhile, testing and commissioning Wang Shoujun, chairman of the system performance testing, which activities are progressing on Units 1 and China National Nuclear Corporation started in the fi rst quarter of 2017, to 2. (CNNC), signed a cooperation agreement check and test operation of all the EPR Contact: ENEC, email: media@ with Muhammad Naeem, chairman of systems. enec.gov.ae. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission This cold functional test phase, (PAEC), on the construction of Unit 5 which started on December 18, 2017, Paks of Chashma Nuclear Power Plant (C- saw the successful completion of the Rolls-Royce has signed a 5) on Nov 21, 2017 which is a great leak performance test on the primary Memorandum of Understanding with achievement the Chinese nuclear industry system at a pressure greater than 240 bar Hungarian state-owned MVM OVIT has made in 2017. (higher than the pressure of this system National Power Line Company Ltd, part According to the agreement, CNNC in operation). More than 500 welds of the MVM Group, to explore how they will build a one-million-kilowatt-class were inspected during this hydrostatic can work together on the provision and nuclear power unit with HPR 1000 testing, supervised by the Nuclear Safety maintenance of Instrumentation and technology at the Chashma Nuclear Authority. control (I&C) systems for the second Power Plant in Pakistan. It is the seventh EDF is now preparing hot functional reactor planned to be built at the Paks nuclear power unit that China has testing to be started in July 2018. The nuclear Power Plant in Hungary. exported to Pakistan and the third unit objective is to demonstrate the good Paks currently comprises four exported with HPR 1000 technology. working order of the plant by testing Russian-supplied VVER-440 pressurized HPR 1000, a third-generation components with temperature and water reactors, which became operational pressurized water reactor independently pressure levels similar to operating between 1982 and 1987. These units developed by domestic research teams, conditions. account for about half of Hungary’s is a key project in promoting the Altogether, more than 1,000 EDF electricity production. An inter- implementation of the Made in China and industry partner engineers and governmental agreement signed in early 2025 initiative, and a driving force in technicians have been mobilised to 2014 would see Russian enterprises and realizing the country’s “going global” perform these system performance tests. their international sub-contractors supply strategy. Contact: EDF, telephone: 33 (0) 40 two new units at Paks - VVER-1200 At present, the construction of four 42 46 37, email: service-de-presse@edf. reactors. HPR 1000 nuclear power units by CNNC fr. Contact: Romain Desgeorge, Rolls- is proceeding smoothly. They are the Royce, telephone: 33 (0) 4 76 61 16 only third-generation pressurized water Barakah 17, email: romain.desgeorge.cn@rolls- reactors in the world that are being built The Emirates Nuclear Energy royce.com. on schedule. Corporation (ENEC) has successfully The C-5 project will be constructed achieved signifi cant milestones in the Leningrad Phase II by CNNC China Zhongyuan Engineering construction development of its Barakah Rosenergoatom has completed the Corp, a subsidiary of CNNC. Nuclear Energy Plant, including the assembly of the reactor vessel for unit 1 Contact: CNNC, telephone: 86 10 energization of Unit 2 Main Power of the Leningrad Phase II nuclear power 68512211, fax: 86 10 68533989. Transformer (MTR), Excitation plant, which is in Sosnovy Bor in western Transformer and Unit Auxiliary Power Russia. The nuclear power plant operator Tianwan Transformers (UAT). subsidiary of state nuclear corporation Unit 3 of Tianwan Nuclear Power The energization of Unit 2’s MTR, Rosatom said the VVER-1200 was being Plant succeeded in connecting to the Excitation Transformer and UAT allows prepared for fi rst criticality in January, power grid in Lianyungang, Jiangsu for the initiation of Hot Functional 2018. province, China, on Dec 30, 2017 with all Testing (HFT). These achievements mark The existing Leningrad plant site has technical indicators according with initial another set of milestones in the safe four operating RMBK-1000 units, while design requirements. and steadily progressing construction of Leningrad II will have four VVER-1200 The unit is expected to enter ENEC’s Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, units. Testing of the passive heat removal commercial operation on schedule. At this located in the Al Dhafra region of Abu system of unit 1 of Leningrad II was point, CNNC runs 18 nuclear power units Dhabi Emirate. completed in late August 2017 and fuel with a total installed capacity of more Over the past year, ENEC and loading began in December 2017. than 15 gigawatts, which will contribute KEPCO have achieved a series of other Source: World Nuclear News, to the improvement of energy structure construction milestones on the units of the website: www.world-nuclear-news.org. and ecological protection. Barakah Plant. The Reactor Containment

10 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 systems. Technicians also replaced about derived from industry experiences,” Utility, one-third of the reactor’s fuel. said NEA Director-General William D. Dresden Generating Station Magwood, IV. “Interactions with the Industry & is a nuclear power facility located global industry sector through WANO approximately 60 miles southwest of would increase opportunities for NEA Corporation Chicago. The station’s two reactors committees to share best practices with, produce more than 1,800 megawatts and recommendations to the industry. of carbon-free electricity at full power It would, therefore, contribute to the Utility – enough to power more than a million successful accomplishment of the NEA homes. Dresden Unit 1, which began mission to assist its membership in Strategic Cooperation commercial operation in 1960 and was achieving excellence in nuclear safety.” Agreement retired in 1978, has been designated WANO and NEA have already Wang Shoujun, chairman of China a Nuclear Historic Landmark by the identifi ed safety culture as a fundamental National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), American Nuclear Society. subject of common interest and are signed a memorandum of understanding Contact: Paul Dempsey, Exelon currently collaborating to launch in 2018 (MoU) with French nuclear fi rm New Generation, telephone: (630) 657-4209, a series of country-specifi c discussions to AREVA and reached a global strategic email: [email protected]. explore the infl uence of national culture cooperation agreement with Framatome, on the safety culture. a French nuclear industrial supplier in “Both WANO and the NEA share Beijing on January 9, 2018. Industry common goals regarding the safety and The signing ceremony was held in MOU reliability of nuclear power worldwide, the presence of Chinese President Xi The World Association of and our collaboration will bring mutual Jinping and French President Emmanuel Nuclear Operators (WANO) and the benefi t for both organisations and their Macron at the Great Hall of the People. Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of the memberships,” said WANO Chairman The documents negotiated are a Organisation for Economic Co-operation Régaldo. pragmatic act to implement the joint and Development (OECD) have signed Contact: Claire Newell, WANO, statement on deepening civil nuclear a Memorandum of Understanding to telephone: 44 (0) 7826 539 559, email: cooperation between China and France, co-operate on the further development [email protected]. and will promote Sino-French nuclear of approaches, practices and methods in energy development in the immediate order to proactively strengthen global World Energy Outlook future. nuclear safety. A ceremony was held on 2017 Contact: CNNC, telephone: 86 10 October 4, 2017 at the NEA Headquarters The World Energy Outlook 2017 68512211, fax: 86 10 68533989. in the presence of WANO Chairman report, published by the International Jacques Régaldo and NEA Deputy Energy Agency, foresees a substantially Refuel Outage Director-General and Chief Nuclear expanded role for nuclear energy if Operators at Dresden Generating Offi cer Daniel Iracane. the world is to meet the challenges of Station returned Unit 2 to full power The MOU serves to set out a people’s development needs, while November 20, 2017, concluding the transparent framework for co-operation reducing greenhouse gas emissions to scheduled refueling and maintenance between WANO and NEA in areas related avoid dangerous levels of climate change. outage that began October 30, 2017. More to the safe operation of nuclear power Agneta Rising, Director General of than 1,500 supplemental workers were plants and the human aspects of nuclear World Nuclear Association commented, on site for several weeks to support the safety. It will facilitate information “Nuclear will have an important role outage, generating a signifi cant economic exchange between the stakeholders in supplying clean, reliable electricity that boost for local businesses. NEA member countries and nuclear is delivered 24/7, so that people can During the outage, technicians used power plant operators, enhance the meet their needs and aspirations without state-of-the-art technology to upgrade common understanding of nuclear safety harming the environment.” plant equipment to keep the facility culture challenges and support general The WEO-2017 Sustainable generating clean, reliable electricity efforts to further enhance nuclear safety Development Scenario examines what it for another two-year operating cycle. worldwide. would take to achieve the main energy- Workers performed more than 9,500 “Global nuclear safety is the related components of the “2030 Agenda detailed inspections, maintenance responsibility of all stakeholders, for Sustainable Development” adopted activities and equipment upgrades. including the public, governments, in 2015 by member states of the United Exelon Generation invests independent regulators and the industry. Nations. The three energy-related goals millions each year to upgrade its plants, The signature of this MOU constitutes are: to achieve universal energy access installing new equipment and enhancing a further step forward for the NEA to modern energy by 2030; to take components to make the facilities even to ensure that decision-makers in urgent action to combat climate change; safer and more effi cient. This year’s our member countries have access to and to dramatically reduce the pollutant outage included signifi cant work on the relevant and comprehensive information turbine, condenser, and reactor support (Continued on page 12)

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 11 LLC (LCA) for the commercial nuclear gives customers I&C options based on a Industry... power industry. comprehensive global technical expertise (Continued from page 11) LCA is a supplier of specialized and market knowledge. equipment including underwater lights, Contact: Framatome, telephone: cameras and accessories developed for (434) 856-6560, email: press-np@areva. use in hazardous environments where com. emissions that cause poor air quality. crystal-clear images and illumination The scenario sets out policy priorities are critical to plant and personnel safety. Joint Venture needed to achieve these goals, including Pursuant to the agreement, the Scientech Lightbridge Corporation and increased support to low-carbon segment of Curtiss-Wright Nuclear will Framatome fi nalized and launched technologies such as nuclear, RD&D on manufacture, sell and service LCA’s Enfi ssion, a 50-50 joint venture company innovative technologies and support to products used in nuclear power plants. to develop, license and sell nuclear innovative market designs. This agreement is an important step in fuel assemblies based on Lightbridge- In the Sustainable Development Outage and Fuel Management Solutions designed metallic fuel technology and Scenario nuclear generation more than achieving its strategic plan to transform other advanced nuclear fuel intellectual doubles from 2476 TWh in 2016 to plant processes by increasing our portfolio property. Lightbridge is a U.S. nuclear fuel 5345 TWh in 2040. Electricity demand of products and services through partner/ development company and Framatome is increases from 24,765 TWh in 2016 to OEM relationships. a leader in designing, building, servicing, 35,981 TWh in 2040, with nuclear energy The integration of LCA’s products and fueling today’s reactor fl eet and supplying 15% of that demand. into the Danbury, CT operations will advancing nuclear energy. The global nuclear industry has set begin immediately. Curtiss-Wright’s The two companies already began the target to supply 25% of the world’s mission to optimize inspection techniques joint fuel development and regulatory electricity demand by 2050, which would ensuring the most accurate assessment licensing work under previously signed require a tripling of nuclear generation of plant equipment is advanced with the agreements initiated in March 2016. The from its current level. partnership with LCA. Effi ciency and joint venture is a Delaware-based limited Agneta Rising said, “We have set this safety of plant processes are maximized liability company. goal because the nuclear industry is ready through incremental changes that result Contact: Framatome, telephone: to deliver more as electricity demand in signifi cant value. (434) 856-6560, email: press-np@areva. could be higher than expected and other Contact: Brian Dassatti, Curtiss- com. low carbon sources might not meet the Wright, telephone: (203) 448-3326, projections.” email: [email protected]. Radiation Monitoring Rising continued, “We agree with HI-Q Environmental Products the IEA that there would need to be I&C Company, Inc. (HI-Q) and VF, a.s. (VF) increased support for low carbon sources Framatome announced an have completed the Site Acceptance Test such as nuclear and innovative market agreement with Schneider Electric to for the Columbia Generating Station designs if the aims of the Sustainable acquire its nuclear automation business. Plant Vent Radiation Monitoring System. Development Scenario are to be met. The two companies recently signed an Energy Northwest has now started a two- We also agree there needs to be support asset purchase agreement that outlines month confi dence run for the system after for RD&D for innovative technologies. the terms of the sale, which is expected which it will become operational. New technologies such as small modular to close before the end of the fi rst quarter The Plant Vent Radiation Monitoring reactors will mean nuclear energy can of 2018. System provides the measurement of be used in more remote areas and in a The acquisition expands releases from the plant vent during broader range of applications, such as Framatome’s instrumentation and control both normal and post-accident plant desalination and providing power for (I&C) offerings. These systems are the operating conditions. The Regulatory electric vehicles.” central nervous system of a nuclear power Guide 1.97 compliant design consists Contact: Jonathan Cobb, World plant allowing operators to control reactor of a measurement system for noble gas Nuclear Association, telephone: 44 (0) operations. Modernizations, upgrades radioactive isotopes and includes sample 20 7451 1536, email: press@world- and ongoing support, are vital to manage heating to eliminate the possibility of nuclear.org. economic long-term operation of nuclear condensation in the system. power. More than 80 safety I&C systems The replacement of the post-accident Corporation have been installed by Framatome on 44 particulate and iodine pre-fi lter is remotely reactors in 17 countries across the world, performed, minimizing the exposure of Manufacturing License and approximately 250 automation plant workers to high levels of radiation. Agreement systems have been installed or are being The dose rate of the accumulated Curtiss-Wright is excited to installed by Schneider Electric. particulate and iodine activity on the pre- announce the Manufacturing License The agreement between Framatome fi lters is continuously measured. These Agreement with Lights Camera Action, and Schneider Electric also creates a long- design features enhance the ability to term manufacturing partnership, which maintain exposure to ionizing radiation as

12 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) (EDF) recently established as part of during post-accident operation. the reorganization of AREVA Group. In addition to the design and The investment is aimed at establishing manufacturing of the radiation a global structure for delivering the monitoring system, installation, start up latest technologies for safe and reliable support and training were also provided. nuclear power generation through HI-Q maintains a stock of critical spare strategic collaboration between MHI, parts for overnight shipment to Columbia Framatome and EDF. It will also support located in Richland, Washington. the promotion of sales of the ATMEA1 Contact: Marc Held, HI-Q, reactor through collaboration with EDF. telephone: 858-549-2820, email: marc@ Framatome evolved from AREVA hi-q.net. NP, an AREVA Group company with extensive experience in design and Acquisition manufacture of NPP equipment, plant Kinectrics, a privately owned, construction and fuel supply. Framatome global provider of integrated life cycle will specialize in after-sale servicing of management services to the electric existing plants as well as fuel supply, power industry, announced that it has and the design, manufacture and sale of closed its acquisition of the Nuclear reactor equipment for new plants; an area Americas businesses from Wood Group expected to generate stable earnings. (formerly of Amec Foster Wheeler), with The completion of the investment closing of the Nuclear Romania business will also result in a reorganization of to follow. ATMEA. ATMEA was formed as a joint The acquisition approximately venture between MHI and AREVA NP doubles revenue, increases operational to develop the next-generation ATMEA1 footprints in Ontario, Canada and across reactor. Under the new structure, there the United States and increases headcount will be fi fty-fi fty ownership of ATMEA to over 1,000 employees. between MHI and EDF, along with a Bringing together complementary special share owned by Framatome. teams and capabilities enhances Following completion of the Kinectrics’ nuclear portfolio in key areas investment, MHI President and CEO of engineering design, risk assessment, Shunichi Miyanaga commented, “MHI safety and licensing and on-site life cycle has been a key player in cooperation management. The Company will be able between Japan and France in the to take on larger, more complex projects development of nuclear power generation with a wider scope, closing the loop from technologies for many years. With initial concept through to deployment, the completion of our investment into in order to meet the evolving needs of Framatome, a new structure has been nuclear utilities in North America and created that will further strengthen the ties CANDU reactors worldwide. between our nuclear energy industries, With complete service continuity and I am confi dent this new relationship to current customers, this acquisition will enable further improvement in enables Kinectrics to increase operational technologies to ensure the long-term ! effi ciencies, offering more value at the sustainability and reliability of nuclear ! " ! ! same price on current services. energy.” Contact: Kinectrics, telephone: Under the new arrangement, MHI, !!!! (416) 207-6000, email: info@kinectrics. EDF and Framatome will collaborate ! # ! com. in promoting worldwide sales of the ATMEA1 reactor. Further, cooperative Investment ties between France and Japan’s nuclear Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, power industries will be strengthened Ltd. (MHI) has completed investment in areas including equipment supply into Framatome, a French company that to NPPs, after-sale servicing, and designs and manufactures nuclear power decommissioning work. plant (NPP) equipment and systems and Contact: Website: www.mhi.com renamed from New NP. MHI now holds $ # ! ! # a 19.5% equity stake in Framatome, (Continued on page 14) # ! ! ! an affi liate of Electricité de France # !

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 13 International and SMR LLC announced  Terrestrial Energy was the fi rst Corporation... a collaboration to advance the SMR-160 advanced reactor vendor to enter (Continued from page 13) small modular reactor. The SMR-160 the regulatory process in Canada, is a single loop, 160 MWe pressurized and now the fi rst to have its design light water reactor designed by Holtec to assessed. be “walk away” safe and commercially  Terrestrial Energy is studying the VP of Operations competitive. feasibility of a number of sites in NuScale Power announced that In a Memorandum of Understanding, North America, including Canadian Ken Langdon has joined the company as the companies have agreed to enter into a Nuclear Laboratories at Chalk Vice President of Operations and Plant procompetitive collaboration to progress River, Ontario for building its fi rst Services. Langdon comes to NuScale SMR-160 which SMR, LLC intends to commercial power plant. from Westinghouse where he held the develop, design, license, commercialize,  Terrestrial Energy has received a positions of Vice President and Deputy deploy, and service globally. The Sustainable Development Technol- Project Director at V.C. Summer, as cooperation will initially include nuclear ogy Canada grant. well as Vice President of Operational fuel development supported by GNF and  The IMSR power plant design is the Readiness in Shanghai, China for the fi rst control rod drive mechanisms designed fi rst and only advanced reactor power two AP1000 plants in the world. by GEH and may later extend to other plant project to enter the invitation- Prior to working at Westinghouse, areas. only stage of the U.S. Department of Langdon was Site Vice President at Contact: Erika Grandrimo, Holtec Energy’s loan guarantee program for the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Plant for International, telephone: (856) 797- construction fi nancing support, with Constellation Energy Nuclear Group; 0900, ext. 3920, email: e.grandrimo@ Idaho National Laboratory under Plant Manager at the Sequoyah Nuclear holtec.com. consideration as a lead site. Plant for Tennessee Valley Authority; The CNSC’s vendor design review Senior Director Operations, Operations Vendor Design Review verifi es that the reactor’s design meets the Service Director and Outage Manager Terrestrial Energy, an advanced basic requirements for a nuclear power at the Diablo Canyon Power Plant; reactor vendor, has received notice plant in Canada but does not certify or Work Management Director and Nuclear from the Canadian Nuclear Safety license the reactor. Oversight Manager at the Peach Bottom Commission (CNSC) that it has Contact: Jarret Adams, Terrestrial Atomic Power Station and Maintenance successfully completed the fi rst phase Energy, telephone: (202) 815-9234, Services Manager at the Dresden Station of the CNSC’s pre-licensing vendor email: [email protected]. for Exelon Nuclear. design review for its Integral Molten Contact: Brian Meeley, PCGPR, Salt Reactor (IMSR) nuclear power plant Xe-100 telephone: (703) 282-0691, email: design. This represents the fi rst regulatory The Jordan Atomic Energy [email protected]. opinion by a western nuclear regulator of Commission (JAEC) and X Energy, a commercial advanced reactor power LLC (X-energy) announced today they Orano plant design. have entered into a Memorandum of New Areva has become Orano. Terrestrial Energy Chief Executive Understanding (MOU) for assessing Refocused on nuclear materials Offi cer Simon Irish said: “Completing X-energy’s advanced nuclear reactor - the development and waste management, phase 1 of the vendor design review – Xe-100 – and its potential for deployment Orano’s activities encompass mining, the fi rst advanced reactor to do so – is in Jordan. conversion-enrichment, used fuel a landmark achievement. It places the Dr. Kam Ghaffarian, Chief Executive recycling, nuclear logistics, dismantling company as an early leader in a fast Offi cer X-energy stated, “I am honored and engineering. The group has 16,000 growing technology sector. The IMSR and excited about this MOU with JAEC. employees, with a revenue of 4 billion nuclear power plant is a transformative Delivery of our Xe-100 for electricity, euros and an order backlog that represents energy technology that is now one step water desalination and other thermal the equivalent of nearly eight years of closer to making a major contribution applications in Jordan represents a revenue. Its mining and conversion- to the world’s growing demand for low- breakthrough for the advanced nuclear enrichment activities place it in the top cost, clean and reliable energy.” reactor industry. The people of Jordan three worldwide. Commercializing an advanced stand to benefi t by using our technology. The name Orano has its etymological reactor power plant design such as the This was the very reason I founded roots in the word “uranium”, from which IMSR involves a range of activities that X-energy.” nuclear fuel is produced. must be undertaken at an early stage Contact: Melanie White Lyons, Contact: Orano, telephone: 33 (0) 1 to support deployment. These include X-Energy, telephone: (301) 363-2839, 34 96 00 00, fax: 33 (0) 1 34 96 00 01. regulatory and industrial engagement, email: [email protected]. site selection, and government support. SMR-160 Terrestrial Energy has made strong GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), progress in these important areas: Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF), Holtec

14 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 electrical penetrations offer a 60-year electro-mechanical box-builds, design New Products, qualifi ed lifetime, supporting increased engineering/board layout, functional safety and reduced total cost of ownership test design, and customer repairs Services & for nuclear plant operators. management. Contact: Kevin Waxman, Schott, Along with ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 Contracts email: [email protected]. certifi cations, Pennatronics complies with both 10CFR50 Appendix B and 10 Services CFR Part 21 NRC requirements. New Products Contact: Pennatronics Corporation, Expanded Capabilities telephone: (724) 938-1800, fax: (724) Inspection Robot DuBose National Energy, Fasteners 938-1809, email: info@pennatronics. AREVA NP announced the latest and Machined Parts Division, announces com. addition to the company’s next generation their newly expanded capabilities to of inspection robots – FORERUNNER meet the continued growth in the nuclear Contracts for steam generators, which is developed fastener market for 2018. The addition and manufactured by INETEC - Institute of a second shift, new thread rolling Steam Generator for Nuclear Technology. Its size and capabilities and a state of the art system Replacement design will minimize installation and permitting instant part tracking through A fully integrated joint venture inspection times by providing improved the shop fl oor have increased production formed among AECOM, Aecon and access to the steam generator tubes for and material tracking. The DuBose AREVA NP – the Steam Generator inspection and repair as required. Cleveland offi ce, now celebrating its 8th Replacement Team (SGRT) – signed a AREVA NP plans to deploy the year, has made a signifi cant impact in contract valued at more than $130 million device as part of the suite of tools and the threaded products market since its to replace steam generators at Unit 6 of software it uses to inspect and repair steam opening. With the recent NUPIC, NIAC the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station in generators. This deployment will start in and ASME Quality Audits, as well as Ontario, Canada. spring 2018 in the United States. Steam the addition of Safety Related Unistrut Work is scheduled to reach substantial generators transfer heat from pressurized products. completion in the fi rst quarter of 2022. In water reactors to create steam, a key step Contact: Jack Leonti, DuBose addition to the contract for Unit 6, SGRT in the process of producing electricity in National Energy, telephone: (216) 362- signed a long-term Preferred Supplier a nuclear energy facility. 1700, email: jack.leonti@dubosenes. Agreement, with a fi rm pricing structure, FORERUNNER is a light, mobile com. for steam generator replacements at the robot. Its spider-like movements in plant’s remaining fi ve units as part of the all working positions, on horizontal Control System Bruce Major Component Replacement or vertical tubesheets, easily adapt to In nuclear facilities, the project. This agreement, with provisions different steam generator geometries. instrumentation and control (I&C) and for a long-term partnership through Installed and removed with a test equipment utilized throughout the 2032, gives Bruce Power the benefi t of motorized carriage, the robot engages facility to keep it safely on line and experience and relationships of multiple with the tube and walks out using operating properly is held to a higher projects, and allows SGRT to establish a pneumatically actuated grippers with standard: the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory long-term presence in the Bruce Power fail-safe logic. The entire process is Commission (NRC) 10CFR50 Appendix community. managed remotely, via a single controller B program. Contact: AREVA NP, telephone: and cable, resulting in no human interface This standard extends to materials, 33 (0) 1 34 96 41 34, email: press-np@ and a 30 percent reduction in dose. components or equipment purchased areva.com. FORERUNNER can reach more than 200 directly or through contractors and tubes in a given stance. subcontractors. For OEMs of control and Environmental Contact: AREVA NP, telephone: testing products utilized in the industry, Management 33 (0) 1 34 96 41 34, email: press-np@ that means relying on electronics contract BWX Technologies, Inc. announced areva.com. manufacturers (ECMs) that can meet that its Newport News Nuclear BWXT- the strict quality requirements even for Los Alamos (N3B) joint venture with lead Electrical Penetrations printed circuit boards or other box-build partner Stoller Newport News Nuclear SCHOTT Eternaloc® electrical assemblies. (SN3), a subsidiary of Huntington Ingalls penetrations, designed with glass-to- One such example, is Pennatronics, Industries Technical Solutions division, metal sealing technology, have the an ECM based in California, PA that has was awarded the Los Alamos Legacy exceptional ability to withstand the high worked in the nuclear industry for more Cleanup Contract. The work will be temperatures and pressures associated than 10 years. The company delivers conducted at the U.S. Department of with nuclear power plant environments. high-speed surface-mount and through- Energy’s (DOE) Los Alamos National The inorganic material properties hole assembled circuit boards and/or Laboratory (LANL). of Eternaloc® glass-to-metal sealed subassemblies, and is capable of doing (Continued on page 16)

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 15 Graphite Contract Contact: Calla Otto-Fisher, Inprela, Contracts... telephone: (612) 677-2022, email: (Continued from page 15) EDF Energy and Cavendish Nuclear have signed a fi ve-year contract worth [email protected]. £7.5 million to support the continued operation of the company’s fl eet of Fuel Channel Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactors. Kinectrics has been awarded a The contract is valued at The agreement covers the provision new contract to work on the Bruce A approximately $1.39 billion over 10 of specialists and equipment to stations fuel channels in an upcoming planned years. Following a 90-day transition across the UK to carry out inspections of maintenance and inspection program. period, the contract includes a fi ve-year the graphite blocks in the reactor cores. The work aligns with a program and base term and three-year and two-year Previously, the service was delivered agreement between Bruce Power and option periods unilaterally exercisable by on an outage-by-outage basis under Motion Electric Motor Services to DOE. contracts with individual stations, which support life extension upgrades in both The DOE’s Offi ce of Environmental deterred long-term investment in skills, Bruce A and Bruce B. Management’s (EM) mission at LANL planning and equipment. Kinectrics will deliver a program is to clean up the site safely and to which tests and confi rms fuel channel reduce risks to the public, workers integrity in all 480 fuel channels that and the environment associated with make up the reactor while at the same legacy material, facilities and waste time reducing outage duration. sites. The scope of the contract focuses Operation of the Bruce site through on environmental monitoring and 2064 will create and sustain 22,000 direct remediation, waste management and and indirect jobs annually, while creating disposition, and decontamination and $4-billion in annual Ontario economic decommissioning at LANL. benefi ts. Contact: Jud Simmoms, telephone: Contact: Kinectrics, telephone: (434) 522-6462, email: hjsimmons@ (416) 207-6000, email: info@kinectrics. bwxt.com. com. Enriched boron isotopes. Tube Fabrication The new contract will include Classroom Simulators BWX Technologies, Inc. announced 12-month equipment and resource plans L3 MAPPS been contracted by EDF that its subsidiary BWXT Nuclear for the fl eet, leading to optimisation Energy Nuclear Generation to supply Energy Canada Inc. (BWXT NEC) has of resource and reduction in re-work two classroom simulators to its Nuclear been awarded a CA$18.6 million, four- due to short timescale planning. It will Power Academy in the U.K. The project year contract to manufacture zircaloy-4 also deliver reduced overhead to cover is underway and the two simulators will seamless tubes for Societatea Nationala planned work and emergent repairs, be put into service in the fi rst quarter of Nuclearelectrica SA (SNN), which compared to managing multiple small 2018. operates the Cernavoda Nuclear Power complex contracts across the fl eet. The two classroom simulators, based Plant in Romania. Contact: Cavendish Nuclear, on the Sizewell B plant models developed The zircaloy-4 seamless tubes are website: www.cavendishnuclear.com by L3 MAPPS, will be on Windows- used in the production of CANDU® based platforms running L3’s renowned fuel at the Nuclear Fuel Factory located Enriched Boron Orchid® simulation environment. The in Mioveni, Arges District, Romania, Materials operator trainees will interact with subsidiary of Nuclearelectrica. The Ceradyne, Inc., a 3M company, the plant simulation via Orchid Touch zircaloy-4 seamless tubes will be will be supplying the Tennessee Valley Interface bays – one simulator with nine produced at BWXT’s Arnprior, Ontario Authority’s Browns Ferry Nuclear Power bays and the other with six bays. Each tubing operation. BWXT has been Plant with enriched boron materials under bay uses three large touchscreen monitors producing tubes for CANDU® fuel for a recently awarded $3.8 million contract. with 1080p full HD resolution to display over 40 years and is a qualifi ed supplier Ceradyne, Inc. manufactures near life-size operable virtual control to Canadian and international markets. 10B sodium pentaborate at the high room panels. Contact: Sara Forsey, BWXT concentration level required in boiling Both simulators will also be Nuclear Energy Canada, telephone: water reactor plants, an achievement equipped with large wall-mounted (705) 927-0429, email: sforsey@bwxt. otherwise unobtainable by using natural screens displaying 2-D and 3-D com. boron materials. The enriched boron interactive nuclear steam supply system offers a cost-effective solution that may visualizations that communicate with not require redesign or retrofi t to existing the plant simulation. The instructors systems. Additionally, Ceradyne has the ability to customize and produce the exact enriched boron product for each customer’s needs.

16 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 convert that intelligence into valuable insights to help PSEG maximise plant availability and reliability by allowing them to focus on the right equipment, at the right time, with the necessary parts at hand. Contact: Debbie Huston, Rolls- Royce, telephone: 44 (0) 7800 872735, email: [email protected]. SMR Module Rolls-Royce has awarded a contract to the Nuclear AMRC to develop a module demonstrator for the UK Small Modular Reactor (SMR). The demonstrator will develop an understanding of modules and underpin the early stage design principles that are pertinent to deliver cost and programme certainty for the manufacture, construction and through-life operation will be able to control and monitor the CANM will leverage a signifi cant of its UK SMR power plants. Contact: Debbie Huston, Rolls- simulation with Orchid Instructor Station investment by the U.S. government in Royce, telephone: 44 7800 872735. from desktop stations and wireless tablet CTC’s facilities, equipment, personnel PCs. and vast network of manufacturing Contact: Sean Bradley, L3 MAPPS, technology specialists. Nuclear Fuel Westinghouse Electric Company telephone: (514) 787-4953. In the fi rst phase of this multi- phase contract, CTC will demonstrate announced that it has signed a nuclear Steam Generator the manufacture of straight tubes of the fuel contract extension with Ukraine’s Prototype maximum required length, demonstrate State Enterprise National Nuclear NuScale Power, LLC (NuScale) and tube bending to prototypic fi nal helical Energy Generation Company (SE Concurrent Technologies Corporation geometry with transition bends, and NNEGC) Energoatom. The contract (CTC) announced the signing of the demonstrate helical tube bundle assembly. includes nuclear fuel deliveries to seven initial contract for the new Center for Contact: Brian Meeley, PCGPR, of Ukraine’s 15 nuclear power reactors Advanced Nuclear Manufacturing telephone: (703) 282-0691, email: between 2021 and 2025, expanding and (CANM), operated by CTC. The contract [email protected]. extending the existing contract for six covers prototype work for manufacturing reactors that was set to expire in 2020. NuScale’s helical coil steam generators, a Digital Services Nuclear fuel from Westinghouse has major component in the NuScale design, Rolls-Royce has signed a four-year played an important role in Ukraine’s now under certifi cation review by the contract to provide US nuclear utility work for independence for more than a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. operator, PSEG, with its innovative decade. Westinghouse began supplying The concept from CANM, located digital analytics service to help drive fuel to Ukraine in 2005, when the fi rst in Johnstown, PA., was endorsed by greater plant effi ciency. lead test assemblies were delivered to a working group of the U.S. Nuclear The four-year contract will see the South-Ukraine NPP Unit 3. Infrastructure Council (NIC) as an deployment of Rolls-Royce’s T-104 The manufacturing and assembly advanced manufacturing research service focus on effi ciency savings of the nuclear fuel will be performed by center. Through a search for the right and optimised maintenance activities the Westinghouse fuel fabrication facility organization to operate CANM, CTC at PSEG’s two nuclear power plants at in Västerås, Sweden, where parts of the emerged as the consensus choice based Salem and Hope Creek Nuclear Power production lines are solely dedicated to on a 30-year track record in advanced Plants in New Jersey, USA. It follows a VVER-1000 fuel. Deliveries against the manufacturing. CANM offi cially opened successful six-month pilot scheme which contract will begin in 2021, immediately during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on showed 40% of planned maintenance following the conclusion of existing August 24, 2017. activities that were included in the trial, contract. Contact: Sarah Cassella, CTC is an independent nonprofi t, did not need to be conducted as regularly Westinghouse Electric Company, applied scientifi c research and as currently scheduled. telephone: (412) 374-4744, email: development professional services The T-104 service uses worldwide [email protected]. organization. Since its inception in 1987, nuclear power plant operating data to CTC has gained extensive expertise in provide best-in-class asset management operating national centers of excellence. services. This enables Rolls-Royce to

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 17 3. BWR Fuel Cladding Hydrogen Pickup The document has been formatted New at Long Residence Times: GE14 Fuel in following the elements of an aging Forsmark-2. Product ID: 3002010774. management program suggested in the Documents Published November, 2017. Generic Aging Lessons Learned (GALL) Due to ongoing changes to global report and the International Generic fuel regulatory limits specifi c to the Aging Lessons Learned (IGALL) report. postulated Loss of Coolant Accident A description of the elements is presented, EPRI (LOCA) and Reactivity Initiated and technical references are provided. 1. Cyber Security Technical Assessment Accident (RIA), the hydrogen content Methodology: Regulatory Requirements of fuel cladding may limit fuel operation 5. Plant Engineering: Relay Failure and Compliance Map for NEI 08-09 and exposure limits in reactors. Such new Analysis—Understanding the Causes of Revision 6. Product ID: 3002010676. LOCA and RIA limits would require Relay Failures. Product ID: 3002010689. Published May, 2017. the industry to develop empirical or Published December, 2017. Many utility owners address cyber physical hydrogen pickup models to Relay malfunctions are one of the security by evaluating assets using a license fuel for operation. Therefore, an leading contributors to nuclear reactor large catalog of cyber security controls. improved understanding of the factors scrams. Operating experience has This security controls catalog contains that affect hydrogen pickup in fuel rod documented these failures over many hundreds of security requirements that cladding is crucial. Such understanding years. Evaluation of the failure reports must be evaluated for each asset, which requires a large database of hydrogen for common causes may help develop can number into the thousands. This measurements across a broad range mitigating actions to prevent some brute-force type of evaluation does not of operating conditions. Historically, failures. provide guidance on how to implement high burnup and high power rods were This project investigated failure a given requirement with a security considered to be more demanding; as modes of control, timing, auxiliary, and method that effectively mitigates an asset a result, most hydrogen pickup data in protective relay models in service in vulnerability. In addition, control catalogs industry databases applies to such fuel U.S. nuclear power plants. To do this, are incomplete or inappropriate for many rods. Recognizing this, the industry has the project team conducted queries of assets that do not have vulnerabilities been expanding the hydrogen pickup industry operating experience (OE) that would otherwise be associated database on fuel rods with long operating databases. Although the data utilized is with a given security control catalog times across various operating conditions. from U.S. plants, the results of this study requirement. When faced with hundreds In this particular study, EPRI and are applicable to all plant designs and of requirements imposed on thousands Vattenfall Nuclear Fuel AB examined origin. of assets, many inappropriately so, the identical BWR fuel rods with different The project team compared the burden of demonstrating adequate cyber Zircaloy-2 cladding heat treatment after failure modes identifi ed in the OE security becomes unsustainable and can long operating times. The goal was to databases to relay failure modes in the result in inadequate protection. investigate the role of heat treatment EPRI Preventive Maintenance Basis The EPRI Cyber Security Technical on Zircaloy-2 cladding corrosion and Database (PMBD) and found that the two Assessment Methodology (TAM; hydrogen pickup. In this study two GE14 sets of failure modes were consistent. 3002008023) provides an effi cient BWR fuel rods operated for seven annual In addition, where appropriate, the team “bottom up” method to assess and cycles at Unit 2 of Vattenfall’s Forsmark identifi ed relay models with common mitigate cyber security vulnerabilities in Nuclear Power Plant in Forsmark, Sweden design features that are susceptible to the equipment used in modern power plants. were investigated at Studsvik Nuclear AB various failure modes. The TAM can be used at any point in the hot cell facility. These rods were identical The team also identifi ed time- asset life cycle, including the traditional except for small differences in heat dependent or partially time-dependent supply chain. This report is an application treatment. Nondestructive and destructive relay aging mechanisms. For each of of Step 4 of the TAM to a selected set of examinations determined detailed these conditions, the report describes security control requirements: Regulatory characteristics of the fuel rods, including possible approaches for the development Requirements and Compliance Map the hydrogen content and corrosion of of aging models. Some degradation (RRCM) for Nuclear Energy Institute fuel cladding materials. modes were not time dependent, but could (NEI) 08-09 Revision 6. be better analyzed statistically. Appendix 4. Tools to Develop Aging Management B contains a template for reporting relay 2. State of the Technology 2017. Product Programs for Corrosion-Affected failure information. ID: 3002011125. Published September, Concrete Structures. Product ID: 2017. 3002010299. Published December, 2017. The above EPRI documents may EPRI’s State of the Technology This document provides information be ordered by contacting the Order and report highlights a future in which for utilities on technical documents Conference Center at (800) 313-3774, customers have fl exibility to use, produce, available to develop an aging management Option 2, or email at [email protected]. and manage energy as they choose, program for concrete structures subjected while improving access to reliable, safe, to corrosion. affordable, and cleaner energy.

18 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 6. World Nuclear Fuel Cycle, April 17- 13. 38th Annual Conference of the Meeting & 19, 2018. The Westin Palace, Madrid, Canadian Nuclear Society and 42nd Spain. Contact: Denise Bell, Nuclear Annual CNS/CNA Student Conference, Training Energy Institute, telephone: (202) June 3-6, 2018, Sheraton Cavalier 739-8039, email: [email protected]. Saskatoon Hotel, Saskatoon, Canada. Calendar Contact: Benjamin Rouben, Canadian 7. International Workshop on Chemical Nuclear Society, telephone: (416) Hazards in Fuel Cycle Facilities 977-7620, email: annualconference@ 1. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Nuclear Processing, April 17-19, 2018, cns-snc.ca. Commission’s (NRC) Regulatory Boulogne-Billancourt, France. Contact: Information Conference (RIC), March Olli Nevander, OECD Nuclear Energy 14. American Nuclear Society Annual 13-15, 2018, Bethesda North Marriott Agency, telephone: 33 1 45 24 10 58, Meeting, June 17-21, 2018, Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Rockville, email: [email protected]. Philadelphia Downtown, Philadelphia, Maryland. Contact: RIC Registration Pennsylvania. Contact: Registration Team, telephone: (240) 863-0500, 8. PHYSOR 2018, April 22-26, 2018, Coordinator, American Nuclear fax: (240) 863-0434, email: nrcric@ Cancun, Mexico. Contact: website: Society, email: [email protected]. leedmci.com. www.physor2018.mx 15. International Nuclear Digital 2. 2018 WM Symposia, March 18-22, 9. Used Fuel Management Conference, Experience, June 25-26, 2018, Paris, 2018, Phoenix Convention Center, May 1-3, 2018, Savannah International France. Contact: Michele Le Goff, Phoenix, Arizona. Contact: Melanie Trade and Convention Center, Savannah, French Nuclear Energy Society, Ravalin, WM Symposia, telephone: Georgia. Contact: Denise Bell, Nuclear email: [email protected]. (480) 557-0263 x11, email: melanie@ Energy Institute, telephone: (202) wmarizona.org. 739-8039, email: [email protected]. 16. World Nuclear Exhibition, June 26- 28, 2018, Paris Nord Villepinte- Hall 3. Canadian Nuclear Society CANDU 10. 65th Annual Industry Conference 7, Paris, France. Contact: Severine Reactor Technology & Safety Course, and Supplier Expo: Nuclear Energy Gobert, Reed Expo, telephone: 33 (0) March 19-21, 2018, Courtyard by Assembly, May 21-23, 2018, Atlanta 1 47 56 65 36, email: severine.gobert@ Marriott Downtown Toronto, Toronto, Marriott Marquis, Atlanta, Georgia. reedexpo.fr. Ontario, Canada. Contact: Canadian Contact: Denise Bell, Nuclear Energy Nuclear Society ofﬁ ce, telephone: (416) Institute, telephone: (202) 739-8039, 17. Utilities Service Alliance Executive 977-7620, email: cns_ofﬁ ce@cns-snc. email: [email protected]. Summit, July 18-20, 2018, Seattle, ca. Washington. Contact: Jim Kitchens, 11. ASME 2018 Annual Meeting, June Utilities Service Alliance, email: 4. 20th Anniversary Electric Power 2-6, 2018, JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, [email protected]. Conference & Exhibition, March 19-22, Vancouver British Columbia, Canada. 2018, Gaylord Opryland Convention Contact: Kim Williams, ASME, 18. Institute of Nuclear Materials Center, Nashville, Tennessee. Contact: telephone: (212) 591-7037, email: Management (INMM), 59th Annual Jill Dean, telephone: (713) 343-1880, [email protected]. Meeting, July 22-26, 2018, Baltimore email: [email protected]. Marriott Waterfront, Baltimore, 12. 35th Nuclear Air Cleaning Conference, Maryland. Contact: INMM, website: 5. Risk-Informed Regulation and Fire June 3-5, 2018, Charleston Marriott, www.inmm.org/Events/Annual- Protection Forum, April 10-12, 2018, Charleston, South Carolina. Contact: Meeting Hyatt Regency Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Dr. Ronald Bellamy, International Ohio. Contact: : Denise Bell, Nuclear Society of Nuclear Air Treatment 19. Nuclear Fuel Supply Forum, July Energy Institute, telephone: (202) Technologies (ISNATT), telephone: 24, 2018, The Mayflower Hotel, 739-8039, email: [email protected]. (484) 888-2456, email: rrb1rrb1@ Washington, D.C. Contact: verizon.net, website: www.isnatt.org/ Denise Bell, Nuclear Energy Institute, registration telephone: (202) 739-8039, email: [email protected].

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 19 Abstract use in nuclear power plants; a list can Cable Aging Through laboratory experiments, be found in a report by the Electric AMS has developed correlations between Power Research Institute (EPRI)(1). Management the results of Frequency Domain Subsequently, DOE provided AMS Refl ectometry (FDR) and Elongation with a follow-on R&D grant to produce in Nuclear at Break (EAB) for typical nuclear FDR versus EAB correlations for the power plant cables. EAB is the standard remaining polymers from different cable technique for determining the aging manufacturers. This work is currently Power Plants condition and remaining useful life of a underway and is expected to provide By H.M. Hashemian, AMS Corporation. cable based on measurement of tensile the basis to enable the nuclear industry properties of its insulation material. It to perform routine cable condition H.M. Hashemian is a laboratory measurement technique monitoring, aging management, or H.M. “Hash” Hashemian is President and a destructive method; thus it cannot remaining useful life (RUL) estimation and Chief Executive Offi cer of Analysis be applied to installed cables. As such, as recommended by the U.S. Nuclear and Measurement Services Corporation FDR was validated versus EAB for Regulatory Commission (NRC) in (AMS); a nuclear nnon-destructive and Regulatory Guide 1.218 dated April engineering iin-situn testing of 2012 and entitled “Condition-Monitoring consulting fi rm ccables as installed in Techniques for Electric Cables Used in headquartered in a plant. In addition Nuclear Power Plants”(2). Knoxville, Tennessee, ttoo being passive and and operating in nnondestructive, FDR Shortcomings of the United States, pprovides objective Existing Practice Europe, and Asia. aassessment of cable As nuclear power plants implement His technical and ccondition as its results or pursue license extensions to operate operational vision ccan be converted to for an additional 20, 40, or more years, and leadership have eqequivalent EAB using management of aging and health of enabled AMS to play emempirical correlations key components that cannot easily or a key role in ensuring tthath are produced economically be replaced becomes the safe and cost- ahahead of time for each critical to safety, reliability, and effi cient operation of ppolymer type. availability of the plant(3). This includes virtually every U.S. electrical cables with polymer insulation nuclear power plant, as well as many in Testing of Installed material that can become brittle, crack, or Europe and Asia. Cables degrade over time from exposure to harsh The FDR test involves injecting environments of a nuclear power plant He holds three doctorate degrees in an electrical signal through the cable such as high heat, radiation, humidity, engineering including a Ph.D. in nuclear conductor and measuring its refl ection. vibration, and mechanical shock. engineering, a Doctor of Engineering The refl ected signal is recorded as a Obviously, wholesale replacement of degree in electrical engineering, and a plot of impedance changes as a function cables is expensive and impractical and Ph.D. in computer engineering. of distance that can register problems must therefore be avoided or minimized on cable insulation material such as as much as possible. Therefore, methods Dr. Hashemian is a Fellow of the cracks, hardening, and gouges. Figure 1 that can identify degradation or aging in American Nuclear Society (ANS), a illustrates the principle of FDR and how cable insulation material are necessary to Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and its signal peak amplitude changes with isolate those cables or sections of cables Electronics Engineers (IEEE), a Fellow the degree of degradation. that must be repaired, rejuvenated, or of ISA, a Fellow of the International Under a research and development replaced. Society of Engineering Asset (R&D) grant from the U.S. Department Traditionally, cable condition Management (ISEAM), as well as a of Energy (DOE), simultaneous FDR monitoring and aging management member of the European Nuclear Society and EAB measurements were made has been performed by one or more (ENS). He has served as a keynote on representative nuclear power plant of the following approaches: 1) visual speaker, chairman, and cochairman of cables as they were aged in laboratory inspections through walk downs, 2) numerous national and international furnaces and the results were correlated monitoring of electrical characteristics conferences and committees and serves as shown in Figure 2. These correlations such as insulation resistance (IR) and as an adjunct professor of nuclear were produced for two of the most inductance, capacitance, and resistance engineering at the University of commonly used cable insulation types in (LCR) measurements, 3) in-situ testing Tennessee. nuclear power plants being cross linked of insulation hardness using an indenter polyethylene (XLPE) and ethylene device, and 4) EAB testing of samples propylene rubber (EPR). However, there periodically removed from cable baskets are several other polymers in common installed in harsh environments. Each of

20 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 but also for medium voltage cables. These issues are: 1. Identify the effect of multi-conductor cables on the results of FDR measurements. 2. Determine if and how FDR, EAB, and other test results may be different for the same polymer from the same or different manufacturers and vintages. 3. Research the effect of synergetic Figure 1. FDR Principle and its Signal Amplitude versus Degree of Cable aging (e.g.; thermal aging together Aging. with radiation) versus aging with a single stressor (e.g.; heat or these methods have shortcomings such mechanical, and chemical measurements. radiation applied separately and/or as: 1) visual inspection by walk down These efforts resulted in development of sequentially) on polymer behavior only provides a qualitative assessment the correlations already presented and and how FDR and other test results and is limited to those cables that can acceptance criteria that were then used compare depending on how a cable be seen and therefore excludes cables in testing of cables at the Oyster Creek is aged. that are in conduits, buried, covered nuclear power plant. These in-plant tests 4. Research the aging degradation of by other cables, or hidden from plain demonstrated that most of the cables medium voltage cables considering view, 2) electrical measurements such were in good working condition; saving the fact that medium voltage cable as IR and LCR are straightforward but the plant nearly four million dollars in insulation is much thicker than low the results often depend on a variety of cable replacement costs. factors such as temperature which can make the interpretation of the results very difﬁ cult, 3) monitoring of Indenter Modules (IM) is useful only on hot spots if they are visible and accessible, and 4) EAB measurements of sacriﬁ cial cables is effective but only a few nuclear plants in the U.S. have such cable depots. These shortcomings motivated the validation of the existing FDR technique for in-situ cable condition monitoring as described in this paper. Development of New Testing Technique The cable aging management and condition monitoring technique described here resulted from an R&D project that began by acquiring necessary cables from collaborating cable manufacturers and utilities. The work was focused on low voltage and instrumentation and control (I&C) system cables of the types used in nuclear power plants. The Figure 2. FDR versus EAB Correlations for XLPE and EPR Cables. electrical, mechanical, and chemical properties of the cables were measured under laboratory conditions to obtain Remaining Work voltage cables. Also, determine baseline or “as-found” data. The cables Although FDR has already been the sensitivity of FDR results to were then aged in simulated reactor used successfully in nuclear power thickness of polymer insulation in conditions through accelerated aging plants, a number of technical issues low voltage and I&C cables. according to the Ahhrenius formula remain that must be resolved to prepare These issues are being addressed and other accepted industry practices. the FDR technology for widespread under a new R&D project recently Subsequently, the cables were removed implementation in nuclear power plants from furnaces periodically, allowed to not only for low voltage and I&C cables (Continued on page 28) cool, and tested using the electrical,

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 21 Need for Plants are a Very Strong Infrastructure 1. What is the status of Summer Nuclear very high operational excellence with the Marketplace Power Plant? plants here in the United States. When the owners of the Summer We need to look at more strategically plant fi led what’s called an abandonment, as we look around the world, that Recognition that starts a six-month clock. As their leadership role that the United States By Maria Korsnick, Nuclear Energy legislatures were out of session, they had should be playing as nuclear is developed Institute. some follow-up conversations with them. around the world. Of course, we’re When they withdrew the abandonment building in Georgia, but around the paperwork, it does not signal that they’re world, there’s more than 50 nuclear Maria Korsnick stopping the project. It does allow their plants under construction. And so, we Maria Korsnick is president and chief legislature to come back in session after should be thoughtful about wanting to executive offi cer of the Nuclear Energy the beginning of 2018 and engage in stay in that conversation, that worldwide Institute, the nuclear industry’s policy some of the discussions prior to fi ling conversation, and to do that, we need organization ththis paperwork, which to think more strategically about what in Washington, hhas a six-month clock nuclear brings to the United States and to D.C. Drawing on aassociated with it. the rest of the world. her engineering The challenge background, hands- riright now within 2. What challenges are currently faced on experience SSCANA is that they by the U.S. nuclear power industry? in reactor nneed to fi nd a solu- I think you just need to look operations and a ttioni that works within fundamentally at the marketplace. The deep knowledge ttheirh marketplace and challenge that nuclear faces today is the of energy policy fofor their public util- very low price of natural gas and the very and regulatory iityt commission. In high volume that we have of natural gas. issues, Korsnick ttheh company manage- If you were to just let the marketplace aims to increase mment’s view, they feel play out, natural gas is favored based on understanding of ththat the situation that its current very low cost. nuclear energy’s ttheyh have advocated The challenge we have, it’s the low gas economic and iiss the best in line with price combined with the fact that there’s environmental ttheirh customers. What very low growth in the electricity demand. benefi ts among iitt really says is that we, The growth of the electricity is balanced by policymakers and in the nuclear commu- energy effi ciency, so it has kept the demand the public. nity, really need to look at the marketplace very low. You have a very low demand for nuclear and how does nuclear fi t into scenario, and you have a very plentiful Before joining NEI, she was senior that marketplace. I know NEI and others supply of very low-cost natural gas. vice president of Northeast Operations have been thinking through solutions that What happens in the marketplace for Exelon, responsible for overseeing could be implemented through FERC, the today is that natural gas is setting the price. operation of the Calvert Cliffs 1 and 2, Federal Energy Reliability Commission, Nuclear does not set the price. Nuclear is R.E. Ginna, and Nine Mile Point 1 and 2 or that FERC could involve the regional what’s known as a price taker. And if you nuclear power plants. transmission operators, the RTOs. look at that revenue side for many of the But at the end of the day, it’s how nuclear plants in the merchant market, it’s Korsnick holds a bachelor’s degree in nuclear is valued in the marketplace, not enough money to make a profi t. And nuclear engineering from the University and nuclear brings attributes to the so, I would say that the nuclear industry of Maryland, and has held a Senior marketplace that are not valued. Things today is in a dire situation. We’ve had Reactor Operator license. like the fact that we have all our fuel on- fi ve plants close prematurely since 2013, site for 18 months to two years. That’s not and I would suggest you have another 10 refl ected in the marketplace. to 15 plants that are in very signifi cant These plants have a high reliability, situations over the next few years. as well. If you think over the last 15 years, We need to look very critically the U.S. nuclear fl eet has had a 90% or at what the marketplace is valuing. greater capacity factor. That’s huge. The marketplace should value energy An interview by Newal Agnihotri, Editor Fifteen years, that doesn’t mean you got diversity. The marketplace should value of Nuclear Plant Journal at the World lucky. That means you’re damn good. We energy security. These are very important Nuclear Association Symposium in have very strong operational practices, attributes that the marketplace does not London in September, 2017.

22 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 value today. Clean air is something that The challenge we have is to take that 5. How is NEI facilitating the we should understand, that there’s a positive discussion and turn it into policy development of small modular reactors? variety of ways to make electricity. In our action, and therein lies our challenge. Reactors are going to come in all sort view, just like you want to invest your For nuclear, there’s not one silver bullet. of shapes and sizes. NEI is very engaged own money in a lot of different things We’re going to need several things. Again, and involved in facilitating small and to diversify your risk, our energy system we need recognition in the marketplace. advanced reactors. We have an advanced should be investing in a lot of different As a country, we need to take a more reactor working group. We have an ways to make electricity, because it strategic view of nuclear, recognizing advisory committee, and our advisory creates a healthier market. the value from a geopolitical perspective committee structure, that’s just focused For energy diversity, for energy of us having nuclear cooperation with on new plant development. security, that fuel assurance with that different countries. Back at home, we We’re very involved and connected fuel on-site, not dependent on a pipeline, need to value the nuclear fl eet that we with all the vendors interested in not dependent on some external force, have today. advanced reactors. We are seeing a but having all that fuel on-site for 18 to Nuclear is an unsung hero in terms strong entrepreneurial spirit. There are 24 months, these provide resiliency. In of the value that it brings. Nuclear in the partnerships with the Department of the United States, we do not suffi ciently communities, the taxes that it provides, Energy through the GAIN (Gateway value the attributes that nuclear brings to they run the hospitals. They run the local for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear) the market. I think that’s to the detriment schools. They pave the roads. They provide program to gain access to our National of the United States, and ultimately to a very strong infrastructure, and I use that Labs, where they can explore through the detriment of the world, because if word deliberately because infrastructure technology that’s available in our we continue to close our nuclear plants is going to be a big conversation that will National Labs to help bring some of these and step away from nuclear, that, to play out over the next six months to a designs to the marketplace. me, is a strategic step backward for the year in this administration. One of the biggest risks that we United States. Our voice is needed. Our I think our nuclear energy plants have as we build new reactors is that operational experience is needed, not should be looked at as part of our construction risk, but if you can turn only here but around the world. nation’s infrastructure. We really some of that construction risk by building need to appreciate what we have, and it in a facility, a manufacturing facility, 3. What is the current effort with the unfortunately, we’re appreciating it more it’s going to help reduce that construction White House and are they supportive as we shut it down and we see what we risk because you’re going to get that and cooperative to the nuclear power lose. Our goal is to see how much we repeatability, things like small modular industry? could appreciate nuclear without feeling reactors, maybe even these micro I would say that this current the pain of shutting it down, but rather, to reactors. administration is very supportive of have it continue to fl ourish. Micro reactors will produce 1 or 2 nuclear. If you’ll recall the energy speech MW. They will power things that don’t that President Trump gave back in June 4. What can the nuclear power industry necessarily need the power output of a 2017, and he listed policy areas that he do to enhance that support for the large reactor that we have today. Whether wanted investigated, nuclear power was industry? that’s a remote area in Africa or a mining the fi rst one that he mentioned. It was Nuclear enjoys bipartisan support, operation in Alaska, its would be a very number one on his list. He asked for a but we could always enjoy more. I useful to have smaller scale technology report on nuclear energy. would encourage people to interact that is powered by nuclear. And it was on all aspects of nuclear. with their representatives on the Hill Many different designs are under It wasn’t just nuclear in the marketplace. and to communicate how important that consideration today. Our challenge is to It was on the fuel cycle. It was the whole nuclear is. One of the goals for NEI is to create the thriving nuclear industry of value proposition for nuclear. I take that as broaden the platforms for people that are the future, building on what we have. a very positive sign. We’ve met with folks speaking about nuclear. There are people It’s why we need to ensure that we keep within the administration, have gotten engaged in climate, clean air, or national a thriving nuclear industry today, keep very positive response. Our Secretary of security. They should be huge supporters our supply chain working, keep those Energy, Secretary Perry, you couldn’t have of nuclear. We would really like to help vendors in business, because it’s through a stronger proponent of nuclear energy those talking to their congressmen and them you’re going to commercialize the than Secretary Perry. I met with him, and letting them know how much they value interesting technologies of the future. he said, “Maria, I want to make nuclear the nuclear that we have here in the United cool again. How can we do that? What are States today. I’d say the more voices that Contact: Nuclear Energy Institute, things that we can do to improve nuclear’s we can encourage, the broader the chorus 1201 F Street NW, Suite 1100, Washington, view?” He has a strong understanding of is, the better it is for nuclear. DC 20004; telephone: (202) 739-8010. the value of a thriving nuclear industry. So, I’m very encouraged.

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 23 Leveraging Reviving U.S. Technology Leadership 1. What is GAIN’s objective? development of innovative nuclear energy U.S. There were several driving factors technologies, making sure they’re market for the formation of the GAIN initia- ready. Research tive, which was launched in November of The real advantage that we have 2015. One, it takes too long in our indus- right now is all of the technological Expertise try to get a commercial product to market. advances that have occurred in the By Rita Baranwal, Idaho National It takes a very long time to do research past 5-10 years that allow us to revisit Laboratory. and development. To do research and de- molten salt technology, that allow us to velopment also takes very expensive fa- accelerate fast reactor technology, that cilities, and many companies can’t afford allow us to really start to complete the Rita Baranwal those unique facilities that are needed. commercialization of HTGR technology, Dr. Rita Baranwal joined Idaho The capabilities that are needed to do that with fuel qualifi cation, for example. National Laboratory’s (INL) Nuclear research and development already exist at The technologies that are enabling all Science & Technology mmany government labs. of these new designs and helping them directorate in August Typically, the come to fruition include advances like 2016 as the Director ccapabilities that are at robotics, sensors, digital instrumentation for the Gateway for ttheh government labs and controls (I&C), and advanced Accelerated Innovation hhaven’t been very easily manufacturing techniques. Those things in Nuclear (GAIN) aaccessible by private are helping accelerate the process of initiative. She is responsible for iindustry.n And then, bringing these technologies to market providing the nuclear oone other facet as a and they demonstrate why we should industry access to the ddriver was that some be revisiting them. The question we U.S. Department of iinnovatorsn also aren’t sometimes get asked is: “we’ve already Energy’s (DOE) state- vvery familiar with the looked at that, why are you revisiting of-the-art research, reregulatory process in it? It didn’t work 20 years ago.” The development (R&D) ththe United States. We technologies that will enable those expertise, capabilities, want to be able to help reactor designs, for example, are different and infrastructure to achieve faster them. So, those are some of the issues now, and they’re better. For example, we and cost-effective development, that led to the formation of the GAIN understand materials behaviors better, demonstration, and ultimate deployment initiative. What GAIN does is provide and we have more irradiation data on of innovative nuclear energy nuclear innovators and investors a single fuel and other material systems. We’re technologies. point of access into the DOE National applying all of that to these new, what I Laboratory complex so that they can get call, newer technology concepts. Some Dr. Baranwal received her bachelor’s the technical, fi nancial and possibly even are very innovative. Others are revisiting degree from MIT in materials science regulatory assistance that they need to technologies that we’re familiar with, and engineering and her master’s degree and Ph.D. in the same discipline from commercialize their technology faster but they’re applying the new advanced the University of Michigan. and more cost effectively. We’re trying techniques to them. to create private-public partnerships to bring the industry’s product to market 2. Please elaborate on the application more effectively, faster and more cost of modeling and simulation. effectively. That’s really why GAIN What we’re doing is providing was launched in November of 2015. Our companies, private industry, access to vision is that by 2030, the US nuclear the laboratory capabilities in the areas industry is equipped to lead the world of modeling and simulation, where they in development of innovative nuclear perform analyses with our code set. We technologies to supply urgently needed, can provide them expertise and also help abundant, clean energy, both in the US with verifi cation and validation. We also An interview by Newal Agnihotri, and globally. And to reiterate, GAIN is provide design support, especially in the Editor of Nuclear Plant Journal at a private-public partnership framework areas of cyber security, digital I&C, and the American Nuclear Society Winter that is targeting rapid and cost-effective human factors. A lot of experimental Meeting in Washington, D.C. on October 31, 2017.

24 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 work can be done in the labs, especially, them. What does the design application as you mentioned, in the fuel areas, process look like? What will NRC be corrosion, materials, instrumentation and looking for? We’re starting to work sensors as well. closely with them. I feel, personally, it’s a very different NRC. It’s been a very 3. How does GAIN match the industry’s favorable change, and they appreciate research needs with the Lab's available that some of their staff needs to learn resources? about some aspects of these technologies We have lab points of contact at each so that they’re prepared and well-versed of the National Labs, and we meet with when they start to get these applications them every quarter, more often if we in. For example, some of the NRC staff need to. On our website, we’ve started to has received molten salt reactor training populate the labs’ capabilities. GAIN is from Oak Ridge National Lab. DOE and intended to be a one-stop shop. So, if an NRC have our distinct objectives, and we innovator comes to me and says “I need respect those, but I believe we’re doing a this type of test or irradiation or expertise, good job of educating the private industry or I need this report,” – that’s another piece community of what NRC’s expectations of GAIN, that we help with, is access to are and vice versa. And we encourage historical data – “but I don’t know where our industry community to attend to go,” we help connect them to the right NRC’s public stakeholder meetings, resource so that they can start to conduct which in the advanced reactor area are their experiment or get the literature that now being held about every six weeks. they need or start to get the data that they We’re fostering very good relationships need to go to the NRC with for their across the board. NSUF, the Nuclear design. We work to connect folks with Science User Facilities, is part of GAIN lab experts or lab facilities or historical which many universities are part of. information that has already been The Consolidated Innovative Nuclear generated. We don’t want innovators to Research (CINR) Funding Opportunity repeat experiments that have already been Announcement call and, the Nuclear done and documented well. We want to Energy University Program (NEUP) calls ensure folks get appropriate access to just came out. That’s focused around that information so that they can use it to universities, but a lot of those proposals further their concepts. this time around were infl uenced by what industry has told us they need in terms 4. How are you interacting with of research and development. We have international individuals to get benefi ts fed those needs into the proposal call, of their capabilities? and we’re hoping that the universities The objective of GAIN today is to will assemble their proposals and thereby connect private industry with the US meet industry’s needs as well. So, they’re national lab capabilities. We don’t do going to be more focused on trying to that alone; for example, we collaborate meet the research and development needs with EPRI and NEI often to meet some of that industry needs in the near term. our mission objectives. That’s how we’re infl uencing what the DOE has a memo of understanding universities are working on or end up with the NRC as well. We try to work working on, if they win these proposals. with them so that we are informing NRC of what the advanced nuclear 5. Do you evaluate the technology to community is doing so that NRC is aware see if it is viable? of the technology that’s being developed. One funding mechanism is the Furthermore, NRC attends some of our GAIN vouchers. A company can apply meetings. We invite them, and they for a voucher. They have to have a lab talk about what NRC’s expectations are partner or a lab principal investigator. when a company comes to meet with And if they don’t know which lab they (Continued on page 26)

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 25 Leveraging U.S... thinks DOE can really help, has fed these workshops, some of which have into DOE FOA, a Funding Opportunity been hosted by EPRI and NEI, to listen (Continued from page 25) Announcement that’s really industry to what the lab capabilities are in those focused. It is a fi ve-year FOA, and the areas. So, we teach them how they can fi rst deadline was January 31, 2018. access modeling & simulation tools want or who they want, that’s part of Subsequent proposal deadlines will be and the many other capabilities that we my job: to connect them to the right every quarter. The funding from this have in-house, as an example. We let partner within the lab system. If they FOA can help with traditional research them know how they can access them, have a concept that they want to be and development, but it can also help who they go to for training, if there’s a looked at, for example if they want to with regulatory support. If a developer fee, what that fee looks like, and we let fabricate a new type of fuel, and they needs specifi c types of data, perhaps them know what the other things are that want to, for example, work with Argonne there are gaps in that data set that NRC they’ll need to think about when they start National Lab, they put their proposal has suggested that the developer needs to irradiation tests on a new fuel. We have in, and we evaluate the proposals all at have more data to support, the developer NRC present sometimes as well. I talked once. We have a team of reviewers with can apply for that in this FOA. There about NRC sharing expectations earlier. experts from all over the lab complex, are different mechanisms for one to get They come to present, but I think they representatives from Los Alamos, Sandia, funding with GAIN, and the intent is to also use it as an opportunity to listen to PNNL, Argonne, Oak Ridge, and Idaho. use the lab expertise, the equipment, the what our community is saying, what their And they review the proposals all at once. facilities, the people. Really, it’s the people needs are and their concerns are. We are If somebody does have a bias, we’re because somebody who’s a technology planning to have a workshop on digital hopefully offsetting that by having all the developer can’t just walk off the street instrumentation and control in June 2018, other representatives, all the other types and go in and start using microscopes or at Argonne National Laboratory. GAIN’s of experts in the room doing the reviews. hot cells. They need the people to help job, my role, is to educate our community Then, we down select. For the fi rst round, with those types of activities. It’s a very on the capabilities, products, and services the 2016 pilot, we selected eight winners, substantial partnership. available in the labs so that they can use it who received a total of $2 million. These to further their concepts. aren’t terribly large awards, but it’s 6. How are you tapping all those enough to get some very, very meaningful individual resources, and how is Bruce 7. Concluding comments. work done. The way it works is it’s a Hallbert’s I&C technology, which is GAIN is trying to collaborate 20/80 cost share. The company that wins being developed at INL, made public to extensively with industry and agrees to put forth 20%, and it can be in the rest of the world? organizations such as EPRI and NEI kind. Then the other 80% goes to partner GAIN provides workshops to the to accelerate innovation of nuclear lab, for the laboratory to do the work that community and the industry; anyone technology so that private industry can was proposed. In 2017 we awarded 14 who’s developing advanced nuclear commercialize their concepts faster. vouchers totaling $4.2 million, and we’re technology can be part of the community, We’re trying to leverage all of the hoping that we can sustain that type of but we’ve already provided workshops capabilities in the National Laboratory level going forward. But in December on fuel safety research, modeling and complex, use all of the expertise, the 2017, we released some big news in the simulation, and thermal hydraulics. We state-of-the-art equipment that resides in funding area. invite the community to come to one those labs, all to try to get U.S. technology Their R&D needs, where industry of the labs or our partner facilities for leadership back on top, where we have been and deserve to be again, and to try to do it quickly.

Contact: Rita Baranwal, Idaho National Laboratory, 2525 Fremont Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83415; telephone: (208) 526-3256, email: [email protected].

http://digitaleditions.nuclearplantjournal.com

26 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 1. Provide an introduction to the tests validation and verifi cation, and Chinese nuclear power technology advanced manufacturing capabilities. Gen III development. Based on the feedback of the Nuclear energy has become Safety Review, Design Review, and the Passive China’s consensus choice for restoring engineering construction of fi rst batch the serenity, harmony and beauty of AP1000 in Sanmen and Haiyang, China nature. Through devoting great energy updated the safety laws and regulations for Nuclear to implementing the innovation-driven nuclear power, and formed the standards development strategy, China has made and requirements of Gen III materials and Power notable progress in building nuclear equipment. The immediate optimization power industry. of AP1000: CAP1000, is completed, with China’s electric power industry is more competitive economy performances Technology the world’s largest electricity producer, and safety enhancement. By Zheng Mingguang, Shanghai Nuclear passing the United States in 2011 after Engineering Research & Design Institute rapid growth since the early 1990s. The Promoting the upgrades Co., Ltd., China. installed capacity has expanded from ap- of nuclear power supply Zheng Mingguang proximately 100GW in 1980s to more chain Dr. Mingguang Zheng, a professorate than 1700 GW in recent years. Moves to The innovation R&D objective of the senior engineer, is the Senior Vice develop commercial-used nuclear power National Key Project is concentrating on President of State Nuclear Power commenced in 1970, the fi rst self-de- establishing the Gen III nuclear power Technology Corporation (SNPTC), signed nuclear power reactor – Qinshan supply chain with the breakthroughs of President of NNuclear Power Plant, materials and manufacturing capabilities. Shanghai Nuclear wwas connected to grid Via launching the National Major Project Engineering in 1991. In 2004, Chi- for early 10 years, China has prioritized Research & Design nna altered its nuclear innovation in key generic technologies, Institute Co., Ltd. ppower development cutting-edge frontier technologies, (SNERDI) and Chief ststrategy from “mod- modern engineering technologies and Designer of the ererate development” disruptive technologies, which assisted National Science to “positive devel- the leapfrog from Gen II nuclear power and Technology oopment”. Under the equipment manufacturing to Gen III. Major Project of gguideline of National Today, China has become one of the Large Advanced MMedium and Long- few countries with the ability to produce PWR known as TTerm Plan for Science the Gen III equipment and materials, such CAP1400. He aandn Technology De- as Steam Generator, Main Coolant Pump, has been awarded velopment released by I&C Platform, large-scaled forgings, many national and provincial rewards the State Council of the People’s Repub- low carbon alloy steel and the stainless for his outstanding contribution to the lic of China, the Large Advanced Pressur- steel, which strengthen the technical development of Gen III nuclear power ized Water Reactor was set as one of the conditions to speed up the nuclear power technology in China. 16 National Major Projects to realize the development in the nation. nuclear power development from Gen II He plays a leading role for China’s Gen. to Gen III. Self-designed Large III advanced passive nuclear power Advanced Passive technology development. As the Chief Introduction and re- Pressurized Water Designer of the National Science and innovation Reactor CAP1400 Technology Major Project of Large In 2003, the latest nuclear technology The project objective of the National Advanced PWR , he has not only acquisition from the USA made the Major Project is to develop the self- determined the technology roadmap, Westinghouse AP1000 the main basis designed world’s largest passive PWR but also worked on the establishment of of Gen III plus technology development Nuclear Power Plant: CAP1400. On design and R & D system, and organized in the immediate future following the the basis of the experience of the PWR associated Chinese enterprises, determination from the Party Central technology R&D for nearly 45 years, institutions and universities to take Committee and the State Council. As construction and safe operation for self-reliance and innovative steps in the the target of the National Major Project, more than 25 years in China, CAP1400 successful development of CAP1400/ introduction of AP1000 were successfully absorbs the accumulated experience CAP1000 technology. implemented, especially for the advanced and achievements of AP1000 units, and technology, advanced concept, advanced adopts safety enhancement measures in An interview by Newal Agnihotri, Editor of Nuclear Plant Journal at the World (Continued on page 28) Nuclear Association Symposium in London on September 15, 2017.

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 27 protection system should be simple and Gen III... reliable to maintain and ensure the safety Cable Aging... (Continued from page 27) of the plant. As for the control system, it (Continued from page 21) needs to be as intelligent as possible for the operators to master the plant. The trend of the new technology is applying the light of the lessons from Japanese digital platforms within the NPP whole granted to AMS by DOE. In addition, new Fukushima nuclear accident. lifecycle on the basis of the accumulated efforts are being proposed to DOE under Conforming to the safety and experiences which may also be combined a new funding opportunity announcement availability goals of the design, CAP1400 with artifi cial intelligence gradually. to expand the reach of not only the FDR takes simplicity, where possible, to During the earlier phases, precise technique but also other cable condition strengthen safety, constructability, system was used for displaying and monitoring methods for all types of operability and maintainability. It utilizes indicating the operational performances cables in nuclear power plants and other proven technology and takes advantages of the plant. However, more functions industries. of superior design features to achieve should be developed for diagnostics, the economic goals and to guarantee the in particular, the artifi cial intelligence Conclusions safety requirements. expert system. For example, the loose It has been demonstrated that FDR In 2016, the Chinese nuclear part monitoring system has been results clearly trend with increasing cable regulator approved the PSAR of CAP1400 applied to determine where there are degradation and can be correlated to EAB following a 17-month review. China will any loosenparts inside the reactor to to help quantify the degree of localized work with different entities and bring the ensure the safety; the diagnostic system thermal aging in cable insulation material advanced proven technology across the has been utilized to detect the abnormal and to estimate the remaining useful world to promote a revolution in energy conditions of components; and the safety life of nuclear power plant cables. The production and consumption, and build parameters display system has been used correlations can also be used to establish an energy sector that is clean, low-carbon, to monitor the real-time conditions for aging acceptance criteria as to how safe and effi cient. safety systems. the degree of aging may relate to the In general, safety is the priority. And condition of a cable and its remaining Shaping the Unifi ed there will be no negative impact on using qualifi ed life. Model Development the control system with the intelligence. Platform References The plat-formed technology used 3. Who are your technology partners? 1. Initial Acceptance Criteria Concepts for advanced nuclear reactors R&D Domestically, over 20000 staff and Data for Assessing Longevity of is the sustainable development goal members from nearly 200 entities have Low-Voltage Cable Insulations and evolved from the National Major participated in the National Major Jackets. EPRI TR-1008211. March Project. The innovation and creation of Project. The national cooperation 2005. CAP1700 and serialized Small Modular mechanism is coordinated by National 2. Condition-Monitoring Techniques Reactors (SMRs) will satisfy the various Energy Administration, organized for Electric Cables Used in Nuclear requirements, such as heating, cooling, by State Nuclear Power Technology Power Plants. Nuclear Regulatory hydrogen production, desalination, under Corporation, and supported by top-level Commission, Regulatory Guide different situations. expert platform. 1.218. April 2012. The unifi ed model development Internationally, China also expanded 3. Assessing and Managing Cable platform should be shaped to augment the extensive cooperation and joint efforts Ageing in Nuclear Power Plants. fl exibility and applicability of reactors, from well-known nuclear companies, IAEA Report No. NP-T-3.6. China has formed a series of reactors universities, institutes as well as December 2012. from small size to big one, amongst manufactures, such as Westinghouse, which, the conceptual design of CAP200 Lockheed Martin and so on. Contact: AMS Corporation, 9119 and CAP50 are completed and registered Proven, reliable and advanced Cross Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37923; in IAEA database. technology is highly recommended telephone: (865) 691-1756, fax: (865) and promoted by China to get actively 691-9344, email: [email protected]. 2. What is the status of digital involved in global environmental implementation in the current plants and governance and fulfi ll the commitments also in the future plants? on emissions reduction. The computerized system is used for the nuclear power plants in China Contact: Fang zhou SNERDI, email: not only for the non-safety system but email:[email protected]. also for the safety system. The reactor

28 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 The Learning from our experiences 1. What are the penetration replacement 3. If the penetrations are to be replaced, projects that Schott has undertaken? how can you go about doing it, and what Challenges Penetrations for all types of genera- were the advantages and where else have tion are made in a way that they can be you done it? of Greater replaced in case you have a failure or In the UK, there are multiple topics: you have certain new equipment. There one thing is the replacement, but we also are mechanisms installed that make it should be sure that every new plant should Safety so the penetration can be changed. We consider the fi ndings from Fukushima By Thomas Fink, SCHOTT, Germany. have done these kinds of replacements and also consider the recent IAEA report already in several nuclear power plants. which mentions certain components that Thomas Fink The most recent one was Forsmark 3 in should be tested according to severe Thomas Fink is a recognized authority Sweden. They decided after Fukushima accident environment requirements. They for glass-to-metal sealing technology, that they will have a different severe ac- are tested for a design-based accident but especially with respect to its use in cident scenario approach. In case of core not for a severe accident. I think this nuclear applications. Glass-to-metal meltdown, they are planning to fi ll the learning curve should be very fast now sealing is an established process used containment with 13 meters of water to because of what we are building now. The to create hermetic ccool the meltdown. learnings have to be implemented into the barriers in many FFor that purpose, they new designs and new plant constructions, harsh environment chchanged all the elec- because these reactors will be around for applications, notably ttricalr penetrations. another 60 years, and we should make it in Liquifi ed Natural TThey did it during two the right way from the beginning. Gas (LNG) and reregular shutdowns. nuclear applications SSo, it is possible. We 4. What is the projected life of your as well as automotive eveven provided mock- penetrations? safety systems. Mr. uup penetrations dur- We have tested up to 60 years now, but Fink has authored a iingn the planning phase we feel confi dent they could potentially number of published so that they could do last even longer because inorganic works about nuclear ttheh training of the dis- materials are non-aging. To give you an safety and learnings mmantling and installa- example, if you have some polymer under from the Fukushima ttioni out of the power radiation, you create the carbon molecules accident. His paper “Post-Fukushima plant and get the staff that are then exposed to oxygen from the Technology Enhancements to Improve trained. Then during these planned regu- air, and it oxidizes. So, it’s changing its Safety Margins” has been presented lar outages of 3-4 weeks, they replaced properties. You know it from your garden. at expert conferences internationally, the penetrations. It’s doable. If you have some part of plastic in the including events hosted by the American sun over the summer, it changes color. It Nuclear Society and the China Nuclear 2. By replacing the penetration, can gets brittle. Ultimately, it will break. If Energy Association. you extend the life of the plant, and can you look at your glass window, 20 years, you also get more power? 30 years, it does not change, because it’s Mr. Fink has a Master’s Degree in Of course, it’s not only linked to the inorganic. Inorganic means it’s mainly Engineering and Technical & Applied penetration, but Forsmark made use of that silicon oxide, so it’s already oxidized. Physics from Johannes Kepler and they also exchanged other equipment at This is why we feel extremely confi dent University. the same time. They made a power upgrade in the lifetime of our product. Once it’s for a few percent more capacity, and in tested hermetically, it will not change the Thomas Fink has served as General total, they expect a lifetime extension of the properties forever. The main factor that Manager of SCHOTT’s Nuclear Safety reactor and the power plant. One of the most comes in in the future is if you connect Division since 2009. important points for this is the containment the penetration, you have to connect it to integrity, and the penetrations are a critical a cable. Everything which is connected He also is an Advisory Board Member part of that. The fi ndings of Fukushima in to our penetration, can it also survive 80 of the Ohio State University Nuclear the TEPCO report mentioned all the seals years or 100 years as well? Engineering Program in the United in the containment structure were notable States. points; and the penetrations and the top 5. Within the penetration, you have fl ange seal, they were all organic materials, some connectors, like glass or mostly epoxy seals. These were the critical leak metal going through the penetration. Do An interview by Newal Agnihotri, Editor paths, and also, these were the paths where you take care of the qualifi cation of that of Nuclear Plant Journal in London on the hydrogen escaped from the containment, also? September 13, 2017. which led to the hydrogen explosion. (Continued on page 30)

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 29 this scenario was created, because there pressures, higher temperatures, and The Challenges... was no equipment available that could this is for a defense application. You’re (Continued from page 29) measure the hydrogen content within the also talking about very high shock tests atmosphere in the containment. Then and requirements for water pump tests. it leaked out through the penetration, This is an area where we gained a lot of Yes, we have capabilities to do these and this caused the explosion. This was experience and where we push the limits qualiﬁ cation tests within Schott, but we are simulated again with this other team, by of the technology. We also have totally also working very close with companies TEPCO. So, that was not a shop analysis. different applications, like deep-sea oil in the US, for example with Jim Gleason, drilling applications, which require high GLSEQ, Huntsville, Alabama. 6. What is Schott doing to make sure temperatures and pressures up to 5000 He already did a number of tests that the penetrations are staying up to the bar, so like 1000 times higher than in a for us now, for the British submarines mark on these advanced technologies and nuclear power plant. This is continuously and also for Korean nuclear plants. He are ready for the new demand? challenging us, so actually, our safety knows our penetrations very well because A: What we actively do is work margin is extremely high already now he tested them. He tested them at Wyle with many of the SMR manufacturers because we have this expertise. Labs, which is now NTS. like X-energy and NuScale, you name We are currently working with him it, all of them. We contact them at the 7. Have you done any research and on one project for upgrading Japanese very early stage of their design phase development to make sure that you take nuclear power plants with a hydrogen because that’s the point where you still care of the equipment and replace it? Are there any replacement parts which need to be replaced in the penetrations? We are teaming up with a number of the reactor manufacturers, e.g. in Europe or Japan to jointly work on replacement programs. Areva, for example, has this Safety Alliance Catalog. That’s a product catalog where you’ll ﬁ nd a lot of different safety equipment, and one of these components is the penetration. So, they go to the operator of the power plant and say okay, you want to upgrade. Let’s see what kind of equipment you need.

8. Concluding comments. I think the main difference of our product compared to other products is the use of inorganic materials, which don’t age over time. This also reduces Electrical penetration assemblies serve as a hermetic feedthrough for I&C cost of ownership of the product because components into the reactor through gastight containment walls. you don’t need maintenance, you don’t have to replace it. What we face is that can have infl uence on the fi nal product the EPC companies, when they do a new sensor. Jim developed the hydrogen design. We try to bring in our experience build, they have the specifi cation that has sensor and is also taking care of the whole at a very early stage. The penetration to be complied, and they go for a cost safety chain because if you have a sensor is a small component, and these guys competitive product, which may be more but something else in the chain fails, like have to deal with a lot of other issues. costly for the utility because it has some the cable or the penetration, then you Usually, the penetration is taken care of hidden costs. You maybe have to replace don’t have a working system anymore. only at the very late stage. We try to be epoxy penetration after 20-30 years. You So, he’s doing the whole system. in the design phase, in the earlier phase, do have to do maintenance. And so, the This speaks to the analysis done by to bring in our long-time experience and total cost of ownership is not in the focus TEPCO at Fukushima where they analyzed the design the product in a way that it can at the beginning of the new construction. hydrogen explosion in the secondary building. withstand all the requirements. I think I think that’s something that has changed The hydrogen was created during this is one of the key points. From the with transparency requirement. the core melt within the containment, historical background, we went through a and hydrogen is explosive gas. It leaked very good learning curve on our defense Contact: Thomas Fink, SCHOTT, out through the penetration, which was application. We’re doing the penetrations telephone: (508) 765-7450, email: confi rmed by the Ministry of Economy, for the nuclear-powered submarines of [email protected]. Trade and Industry (METI) and TEPCO. the British, and there you have extremely The issue was nobody was aware that high requirements. You have higher

30 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 EPC My View is Optimistic 1. What is the challenge with nuclear because most of this workforce has construction? already been here for a number of years Success The real challenge is that the projects constructing the plant. So, it’s about By Ty Troutman, Bechtel. are very complex. creating a single culture to drive towards First, there are upstream challenges completion. That is our fi rst task as we in the readiness of the design or the begin the completion of Vogtle 3 and 4. Ty Troutman delivery of the material and equipment Those are the two things I would tell Ty Troutman is general manager of that manifest themselves in construction you that I see from a trend standpoint in Bechtel’s Nuclear Power business in performance. If there are delays in construction. the Nuclear, Security & Environmental engineering, complications with the global business unit. He oversees a equipment and material being delivered 2. Earlier, a wave of nuclear plants, portfolio of commercial nuclear power to the project, and construction is already when they were designed, or being projects throughout the U.S. and underway, you see that challenge in designed in the early ‘70s or even up to internationally. construction performance. ‘80s, one of the challenges was from the Construction performance is all about regulatory commission, that there will A 31-year Bechtel veteran, Ty has enabling the workforce to perform. Our be amendments to the design. And those extensive experience jojob as construction took a lot of time, and then, of course, in construction, mmanagers is to get the they would create a bottleneck. Was that operations, and roroadblocks out of the also an issue with the new 10 CFR52? management, serving wway. And when you As the project evolves through both as a leader on many ccan’t… the craft, the the design and then construction, we critical projects. yyoung craftsmen and have to ensure at each step that the fi nal Most recently, he wwomen can’t perform. product is meeting the part 52 license, was the manager Some of the chal- because you’re already under that license. of functions for the llengese that I have seen So, there have been challenges where, in Nuclear, Security iinn the last decade have order to make something fi t in the fi eld, & Environmental bbeen around readiness there needed to be changes to the design business. to construct and the while there was construction going on, ppressures that are be- but I would tell you that that was not the Previous to iingn put on schedules overwhelming driver to the delay. Nuclear, Security & to start construction Environmental, Ty eearlier than perhaps 3. Is there a possibility for Summer to worked in Bechtel wwhen the design or get restarted? Power and for ddelivery of equipment There are a number of challenges Bechtel Construction aand materials is ready. faced with these fi rst of a kind AP1000 on several nuclear I think a lot projects, but I think there can be a projects including the Connecticut of it is uncertainty on the delivery of much greater challenge when restarting Yankee Power Station, Dresden Power those upstream elements. It creates a construction after it had been halted for Station and Beaver Valley Nuclear condition where the constructor is always such a long time. You have to re-fi nd the Power Station, holding various struggling to fi nd the next thing to do starting point when a plant has been laid positions in design, subcontracts, fi eld versus having all the work lined out ahead up for a time. engineering, and management. of them. It creates a signifi cant amount of So could construction be restarted at ineffi ciency in the construction process. V.C. Summer? You physically can do the Ty was elected a principal vice president And, second, there are challenges work, but this is a question that ultimately in 2013. within the construction itself. When has to be answered by the owners. we were completing the construction to restart Watts Bar 2, it was retraining the 4. Please give an overview of b-Energy workforce to work to nuclear standards. initiative. We were dealing with the qualifi cations As a result of our engagement with of the people and the nuclear safety small modular reactor technology, we quality culture, and having that ingrained developed a plant platform that can – An interview by Newal Agnihotri, in the workforce. and this is greatly oversimplifying it – Editor of Nuclear Plant Journal at Here at Vogtle 3 and 4, we don’t “plug and play” with different [Gen IV] the American Nuclear Society Winter see quite as many of those challenges, technologies. This platform is the plant Meeting in Washington, D.C. on October design. 31, 2017. (Continued on page 32)

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 31 molten salt reactor technologies and assess see challenges, but my view is optimistic. EPC Success... them for where the gaps might be. We just need to focus some improvement (Continued from page 31) on how we analyze risk and the decisions 6. You are involved in Horizon, right? that we make on the front end of a project. Yes, we are. We’re in a joint venture as the EPC contractor for Hitachi and Contact: Ty Troutman, Bechtel, c/o If you think about a nuclear power Horizon in the United Kingdom, that’s Plant Vogtle Units 3 & 4 Project, Building plant, the Gen IV technology developers correct. Our role there is design of the 302, Executive Level, 7828 River Road, are looking at the reactor or “battery” of secondary side of the plant and then Waynesboro, Georgia, 30830; telephone: the plant. They are developing the actual construction of the two-unit plant. We’re (706) 848-7885, email: vogcomms@ heat-producing portion of the plant. “EPC also engaged at Hinckley Point, doing bechtel.com. companies” design the rest of the plant construction planning embedded in the around that battery, around that reactor EDF team and project management on system. the nuclear island. Using the diverse experience we have from engineering nuclear plants in 7. What is your global involvement? Bechtel, we’ve taken that information In addition to our work in the United and are developing this b-Energy energy Kingdom, Bechtel does engineering AnnualA platform to be able to be ﬁ t around services for operating ﬂ eets for both Nuclear Editorial different Gen IV technologies and small Southern Company and for Dominion. Plant Schedule modular reactor technologies. In Finland, we are engaged as the The idea is that, because of its owner’s engineer, supporting them in Journal maturity and our ability to scale the the construction completion and startup design, “b-Energy” helps to accelerate of Olkiluoto 3 for TVO. We provide the development of a completed plant. Where engineering and management services January-February technology developers are focusing on for KEPCO, both for their work in South reactor technologies, we looked at the Korea as well as for Barakah. Instrumentation & Control material sciences needed to bring that reactor technology to a readiness to be 8. Concerns, comments. March-April deployed. “Technology developers” I think there is some cautious Plant Maintenance & are not focused on designing the rest optimism about the future of nuclear in Plant Life Extension of the plant. That’s where we come in, the United States. In order for the industry where we have developed this b-Energy to move forward, the EPC industry— May-June platform to be the “rest of the plant” for Bechtel included—has to be able to new reactor technologies. reliably deliver projects for the utilities, Outage Mgmt. & Health We actually have engineering and this means we have to be transparent Physics complete on the b-Energy platform. We in the way we deliver. are working on developing the scaling We have to be able to reliably deliver July-August to adapt to different scale plants. The the projects, and you can’t do that just as New Plants & Vendor primary design was around a 300 MW a constructor. There’s no such thing as Advertorial platform, and now we’re creating the “construction success”; there is only EPC scalability down to 50 MW, 50-100 MW, success. Engineering and procurement September-October and up to 600 MW. and construction need a sound plan for delivery, with all the risks recognized and Plant Maintenance & 5. What are the other initiatives and understood upfront. Because when one Advanced Reactors innovations which Bechtel is involved in? unit makes decisions on delivery because From a technology standpoint, that’s people want something quicker—not November-December the primary one we’re working on in the always a good decision—we have to Annual Product & Service energy sector. recognize it comes with some risk as Directory 2018 We are engaged with both the you couple engineering and construction Department of Energy and a number of closer and closer and start overlapping Gen IV reactor technology companies, them. It does create some potential risk Contact: helping to assess when they’ll be ready to for the project’s delivery. Michelle Gaylord go to market. I think in the past decade, we’ve [email protected] We’ve recently done a study for learned a lot about that risk as we’ve telephone: ARPA-E on fusion technology. We’re executed projects with new technology, (630) 364-4780 having discussions with Oak Ridge National and the AP1000 work is an example of that. Laboratory to look at an array of different There have been other instances where we

32 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 Calibration Monitoring this approach, the manual calibration Extending the Technology workload for the plant technicians can be Online monitoring (OLM) reduced by as much as 75 percent; saving Calibration technologies have been developed and utilities millions of dollars and making validated for a variety of applications in the nuclear industry more competitive Intervals nuclear power plants including optimizing while improving safety through reduction maintenance of instrumentation and of calibration-induced human errors, of Process controls (I&C) systems, detection of damage to plant equipment, and radiation process anomalies such as blockages, exposure to the plant personnel. Instruments leaks, voids, fl ow anomalies, excessive The data in Figure 1 presents the By Brent. D. Shumaker, AMS vibration, overheating, and equipment deviation of each transmitter at any point Corporation. or process deviations from normal in time from the average and clearly behavior. This article is concerned shows that the four transmitters exhibit with the application of OLM for online no drift. This is of course provided that Brent. D. Shumaker calibration monitoring of pressure, level, the four redundant transmitters did not all Mr. Brent D. Shumaker is the Senior and fl ow transmitters in current and next drift together in the positive or negative Engineering Manager at Analysis generation of nuclear power reactors. directions and their average value thus and Measurement Basically, one tracks the process parameter that they Services Corporation ccan track the readings are measuring. We must also assume (AMS) and has oof sensors while the that the process parameter that the four over 16 years of pplant is operating redundant transmitters were measuring software application ttoo identify drift was not drifting in positive or negative development and bbeyond acceptable directions during the monitoring period instrumentation and lilimits. This is simply in a way that it could offset any drift control (I&C) system aaccomplishedc by of the transmitters. These and other testing experience pprocessing sensor assumptions can be substantiated through in nuclear power ddata that normally established analytical techniques that plants. Mr. Shumaker exexists in the plant are ready to use to allow the nuclear holds a Master ccomputers. Figure 1 industry to implement OLM to determine of Science (M.S.) shshows the readings if and when to calibrate a transmitter and degree in Computer of four redundant steam generator level thereby avoid unnecessary calibrations. Science from the University of Texas at transmitters sampled at the McGuire Furthermore, the OLM procedure San Antonio and a Bachelor of Science nuclear power plant over a period of just described reveals the drift of a (B.S.) degree in Electrical Engineering about 30 months. This data represents transmitter at only one point while from the University of Tennessee, nearly two full operating cycles and a complete calibration verifi cation Knoxville. was obtained by installing a dedicated process must cover the whole span of a data acquisition system stationed at the transmitter. To resolve this limitation, Over his tenure at AMS, Mr. Shumaker plant in support of a project that AMS OLM data must be collected not only at has been very active with a number of performed under a research contract for the plant operating point but also during national and international organizations the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission startup and shutdown conditions to verify including the International Society of (NRC). The steady state value of the steam calibration over the entire operating Automation (ISA), the International generator level obtained by averaging range of the transmitter and to account Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the the four signals was subtracted from the for any hysteresis effect. Figure 2 (left) International Atomic Energy Agency reading of each transmitter to show the shows raw online monitoring data for (IAEA), and the American Nuclear deviation of each transmitter from the three redundant pressure transmitters in a Society (ANS). Presently, Mr. Shumaker average of the four. The drift acceptance PWR plant during startup, and Figure 2 is serving as the co-chair of the ISA limits calculated using the plant set point (right) presents the corresponding online 67.06 standard entitled, “Performance criteria are also shown in Figure 1. It is calibration monitoring results obtained Monitoring for Nuclear Safety-Related obvious that these transmitters have not from this data to show the calibration Instrument Channels in Nuclear Power drifted over this period and are in fact well behavior of the three transmitters as a Plants.” Mr. Shumaker is a Fellow of ISA within their acceptance limits. Therefore, function of their operating range. and member of ANS where he serves as based on this example, one can claim that These are just a few examples among the Secretary and Chair of the Honors these transmitters and others that behave many that have been addressed over the and Awards Committee of the Human the same do not have to be calibrated years to propel the OLM technologies for Factors, Instrumentation & Controls except for one of the four transmitters to widespread implementation in nuclear Division (HFICD). He was recently account for any common mode drift. With elected to become the Chairman of the (Continued on page 34) HFICD division of ANS in 2019.

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 33 to U.K. regulators that there are no operating cycle in reduced outage time, Extending the... adverse consequences to plant safety if manpower, radiation exposure, forced (Continued from page 33) transmitters are calibrated on a staggered outages, calibration induced errors, and basis, extending the calibration intervals damage to plant equipment. from once every operating cycle to once every three or four operating cycles OLM Applications in power plants and resolve all the technical depending on the level of redundancy. In SMRs issues and potential regulatory concerns. spite of this history, Sizewell B committed OLM implementation is critical to to the U.K. regulators that although it can the economic viability and sustainability Cost Savings extend its transmitter calibration intervals of current fl eet of U.S. plants at a time Over the last three decades, OLM using historical data and statistics, it when the industry is facing pressure technologies have been developed mostly will nevertheless implement OLM as to cut costs and improve effi ciency. As importantly, the new generation of nuclear reactors, especially the small modular reactors (SMRs) which need automated maintenance, can draw substantial benefi t from OLM technologies for not only calibration monitoring of process sensors but also for a variety of equipment and process maintenance applications. In a recent meeting with the NuScale Power Company, which is slated to launch the fi rst set of SMRs in the United States, AMS and NuScale agreed to work together in bringing OLM technologies in development of maintenance strategies for NuScale. Regulatory Position In the late 1990’s, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) submitted a topical report to the NRC and made a series of presentations to request approval Figure 1. OLM Data for Redundant Transmitters at McGuire Nuclear for OLM implementation for transmitter Plant. calibration monitoring in nuclear power plants. In response, the NRC issued a safety evaluation report (SER) in the in the United States, yet they have been an added measure of safety in case year 2000 authorizing the use of OLM successfully implemented not in the any of its assumptions on transmitter subject to 14 stipulations. Subsequently, United States but in other countries performance are inadvertently violated the nuclear industry addressed many of such as France and the United Kingdom or are found to be invalid. Sizewell B these stipulations and one nuclear plant (U.K.). For example, the Sizewell B also committed to measure the response (V.C. Summer) applied to the NRC for nuclear power plant, a Westinghouse time of its transmitters once every approval to implement OLM. However, pressurized water reactor (PWR) operating cycle using the in-situ noise V.C. Summer’s attempt to implement near London implemented OLM for analysis technique. The U.K. regulators OLM subsided after an interaction with transmitter calibration verifi cation and thus agreed with this approach, allowing the NRC and no further attempts were has been using it effectively for over a the plant to extend calibration intervals made by this or any other U.S. plant to decade. The Sizewell B plant based its gradually on one redundant channel at implement OLM, presumably because implementation strategy on over 50 years a time until all redundant channels were the nuclear industry found a few of of nuclear industry experience revealing covered over an 8-year period. Today, NRC’s stipulations in the SER to be too that more than 90 percent of nuclear grade 18 years later, Sizewell B is calibrating restrictive and cost prohibitive to resolve. pressure, level, and fl ow transmitters only those transmitters that are found by Today, it has been nearly 18 years do not typically drift enough to justify OLM to drift beyond acceptable limits from when the NRC issued the SER and manual calibration at every refueling plus one transmitter from each redundant a lot has happened since then including: cycle. In fact, based on this history set to account for any systematic drift. 1) successful OLM implementation together with risk analysis and other As a result, the plant has reported that at Sizewell B with approval of U.K. calculations, Sizewell B demonstrated it is saving millions in U.S. dollars per regulators, 2) OLM implementation at

34 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 over ten U.S. PWRs on demonstration the guidelines of Nuclear Energy Institute SMRs that are designed with autonomous basis, 3) continued research by the (NEI) in NEI-04-10. This work together maintenance features that OLM can nuclear industry and academia to address with all that was described earlier should provide. essentially all technical questions and lead to OLM implementation in U.S.

Figure 2. Online Calibration Monitoring Results for Redundant Transmitters. regulatory concerns, 4) PRA work nuclear power plants to make the industry Contact: AMS Corporation, 9119 showing the very low risk of extending more competitive, safe, and sustainable. Cross Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37923; transmitter calibration intervals, and 5) It will also have an impact on the next telephone: (865) 691-1756, fax: (865) 691- additional operating experiences (OEs) generation of nuclear plants such as 9344, email: [email protected]. demonstrating that the current generation of nuclear grade pressure, level, and fl ow transmitters do not normally drift enough to need a calibration at each refueling OUTAGE CONTAINMENT AND FLOOR PROTECTION outage. These developments have ® FME PROTECTION provided suffi cient evidence to propel the OLM for ready implementation in nuclear power plants and have provided answers to much of the 14 NRC stipulations in the SER of the year 2000. As such, OLM is ready for implementation in U.S. nuclear power plants. SPECIFY GRIFFOLYN Current Status Based on Sizewell B’s success, the WHEN OTHERS AREN’T ACCEPTABLE, U.S. nuclear industry is attempting to IDEAL FOR CONSTRUCTION, extend transmitter calibration frequency OUTAGE PROTECTION using its historic calibration data, AND MAINTENANCE CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS PRA, and results of theoretical and Fire Retardant Multi-Component Covers experimental research. In doing so, UV Stabilization Stock sizes available for the industry, through its Westinghouse Anti-Static immediate shipping PWR Owner’s Group (PWROG), is High Tear Strength Custom Pantone® working to establish the technical color matching basis to extend transmitter calibration Custom Design with quick intervals. This work is underway using turnaround a U.S. regulatory approach referred to as Technical Specifi cation Task Force (TSTF). This effort follows the well- known “surveillance frequency control program” according to TSTF-425 using www.griffolyn.com • 1.800.231.6074

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 35 Summary water in the tool chamber. These bubbles Ultra-High The 2016 Byron Unit 2 and impinge and collapse on the targeted Braidwood Unit 1 application of Ultra- reactor vessel head penetration material High Pressure Cavitation Peening surface, generating high pressures that Pressure (UHPCP) were the fi rst-of-a-kind create shock waves traveling through (FOAK) Alloy 600 in-service reactor the surface of the material and creating vessel head application of peening in compressive residual stresses. Cavitation the world. Furthermore, this application Specialized AREVA peening process was the FOAK peening application for equipment is mobilized to the site several reactor vessel closure head (RVCH) weeks prior to an outage. Water is taken Peening penetrations for primary water stress from the spent fuel pool to supply low By Exelon Nuclear and AREVA. corrosion cracking (PWSCC) mitigation pressure water to the suction of the Ultra in a pressurized water reactor (PWR) High Pressure (UHP) pumps staged in in the USA. This strategic project was the Fuel Handling Building (FHB). The Nuclear Energy Institute’s Top the culmination of the U.S. nuclear UHP pumps discharge through separate Innovative Practice Process Awards industry’s PWR experience since lines from the FHB into containment highlight the nuclear industry’s most December 2000 that has required over to individual UHP pump manifolds. innovative techniques and ideas. 180 repairs of Alloy 600 reactor vessel High pressure hoses are connected from head penetrations due to PWSCC these manifolds to the peening tools This innovation won the a 2017 Top that are delivered under the reactor head Industry Practice Award. induced fl aws. These emergent repairs have cost the nuclear industry millions of via a specialized robotic manipulator delivery system. Low pressure water A team of Exelon and AREVA dollars due to outage delays, repair costs, is then taken from the reactor cavity individuals worked collaboratively over and subsequent increased inspection and supplied to the low pressure water 3 plus years to develop a strategic and frequencies. The unpredictability and carts that control the fl ow of water to methodical process to address peening consequences of emergent fl aws has the peening tool chamber. The high each reactor vessel head penetration lead many PWR utilities to replace their pressure water and low pressure water is in a timely and effi cient manner that reactor vessel heads with improved then mixed in the peening tool chamber. satisfi ed industry commitments and NRC PWSCC resistant Alloy reactor safety evaluation requirements, while vessel heads. Proactively performing Excess water fl ow is discharged from the providing a repeatable methodology UHPCP mitigates RVCH penetration peening tool back through the water cart along with a streamlined and consistent susceptibility to PWSCC; therefore, assemblies where it is then discharged implementation approach. The eliminating the need to perform costly to an air-water separator prior to being collaborative efforts between the team emergent repairs or replacement of the returned to the reactor cavity. The air- yielded great results and effi ciencies in reactor vessel closure head. water separator releases air to a HEPA development of the cavitation peening Exelon decided in an effort to vacuum and water to the reactor cavity. tooling, processes, and industry EPRI mitigate the potential for future PWSCC The use of the air-water separator avoids guidance documents. fl aws to implement the peening process reactor cavity water ripples, specifi cally developed by AREVA to induce turbidity or reduced clarity during fuel The team members who participated compressive stresses on the surface of movement. included Jack Feimster, Exelon the susceptible RVCH penetration tubes The cavitation peening process Engineering Manager; Gary L. and the J-groove welds. Peening was is performed under the reactor head Hagemann, Exelon Project Manager; applied to the outer and inner surfaces while in the reactor vessel head stand Bradley F. Lanka, Exelon Corporate of the Alloy 600/182/82 materials of within containment using several Engineering Strategic Projects Manager; the reactor vessel head. The cavitation different specialized peening tools Edward J. Wrigley, Exelon Senior peening process is based on creating and attachments that are mounted Project Manager; Benjamin P. Youman, vapor bubbles (cavitation) from a to the remotely controlled delivery Exelon Director Cost Optimization; submerged water jet. High pressure manipulators. The various peening tools Curtis Van Cleve, AREVA Vice water is forced through a very small and attachments are designed to mate up President of Components, Repair and orifi ce and exits at a very high velocity. and seal to the various tiers and types Replacement; John Sheppard, AREVA This results in pressure below vapor of the reactor vessel head penetration Engineering Manager; Mark Michaels, pressure in the water jet stream causing nozzles aligning to the slope of the AREVA Principal Project Manager; vapor bubbles to form in the low pressure RVCH. Randy Villeneuve, AREVA Project Engineer; Gary Poling, AREVA Strategic Projects.

36 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 Leadership/Innovation control system, operator control station, In addition to reactor vessel heads, The nominees demonstrated and critical parameter computer control AREVA has qualifi ed tooling to apply leadership by initiating, encouraging, system are other specialty tools that the UHP cavitation peening process and working closely with AREVA, were also developed. to PWR primary nozzles and BMN EPRI, and ASME code committees to The peening application was nozzles to prevent PWSCC initiation on develop a FOAK in the world application developed and implemented to provide susceptible material. The process can and process basis guidance of peening for Alloy 600 reactor vessel closure head penetration PWSCC mitigation. The application of UHPCP mitigates the RVH against the occurrence of PWSCC until the end of a 60-year extended service life for the Byron and Braidwood reactor vessel heads. This project required an extensive technical and project management effort, as well as, a thorough evaluation of the many risks associated with a FOAK application that also implements a new specialty technology during a refueling outage campaign. The FOAK application of the new peening technology required the innovative development of a number of specialty tools and processes to perform peening on a RVCH. For example, a specialty tool was developed to allow peening of the shoulder area of the Two mega sumo's under reactor head mockup peening during tool core exit thermal couple (CETC) guide development. funnel (upper collar), that when seated to the CETC nozzle, physically blocked margin beyond the industry and Nuclear also be adapted for BWR environments access to the required surface area to Regulatory Commission (NRC) to be applied on core shrouds and other be peened. As a result, an electrical requirements. Peening was applied to susceptible components to stop SCC discharge machining (EDM) specialty the entire industry code case specifi ed initiation. tool was developed and used to remotely outside diameter inspection area that Extensive technical rigor was remove this piece of the CETC funnel to is signifi cantly larger than the NRC applied to the peening process beyond expose the required high stress (greater and industry specifi ed 20 ksi peening the industry requirements through than 20 ksi) peening mitigation area. mitigation areas. This was performed additional testing and analysis to ensure This allowed the CETC guide funnels to provide the maximum reduction in peening does not adversely affect the to remain installed; therefore, reducing susceptibility to PWSCC for the reactor RVCH nozzles. This included: worker dose by not requiring multiple vessel head penetrations. The peening  Residual stress measurement un- entries under the reactor vessel head process also achieved additional margin certainty - Residual stress measure- into a locked high radiation area. through the tool design and critical ment uncertainty in accordance with Additionally, an outside diameter process parameter development that industry requirements was consid- peening tool, inside diameter open allowed UHPCP to consistently achieve ered when assessing the qualifi ca- penetration/vent line peening tool, inside a demonstrated depth of compression and tion of surface stress after peening. diameter annulus (between thermal compressive stress that met or exceeded The industry leader in x-ray diffrac- sleeve and RVCH nozzle) peening tool NRC and industry requirements. The tion (XRD) technology was used to (preventing removal of thermal sleeves depth of compression results provide perform highly accurate XRD mea- to achieve peening depth), a highly compressive stresses to a deeper level surements using the multiple ex- mobile and robust robotic manipulator within the nozzles, therefore, reducing posure technique with a minimum remote delivery system, water cart the potential that a small pre-existing fl aw would grow. (Continued on page 38)

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 37 erosion, roughening, or development examined, cross sectioned and Ultra-High of cracks. The erosion testing examined by scanning electron Pressure... demonstrated a large margin, beyond microscopy. None of the peened (Continued from page 37) the maximum allowed peening specimens revealed any evidence of conditions required to result in PWSCC indications or signifi cant adverse effects prior to unacceptable change in grain boundary. of 22 Ψ (pounds per square inch) damage; therefore, providing  The effect of peening on surface angles to increase the accuracy of confi dence that unacceptable damage roughness and inspectability - results per SAE HS784, “Residual will not occur. This additional Surface roughness measurements Stress Measurement by X-ray Dif- technical rigor was performed to were compared before and after fraction”. An independent third par- increase the understanding of the peening on representative mock-up ty laboratory confi rmed the XRD enterprise risk impact related to test coupons, using bounding values methodology used and validated implementation of the peening of peening parameters. The testing process repeatability and reproduc- process. confi rmed that the surface roughness ibility. The Qualifi cation Report  Corrosion Testing to Confi rm was not signifi cantly increased by documented the use of median sur- PWSCC Mitigated Effectiveness - the bounding values of peening face stress XRD values; therefore, Corrosion testing for crack initiation parameters, and that the maximum surface roughness does not affect the capability to perform qualifi ed non-destructive examination (NDE) methods such as ultrasonic testing (UT) time-of-fl ight diffraction (TOFD) and eddy current testing (ET).  The effect of peening to induce surface cracking - The absence of peening-induced cracks in the surface, after exposure to bounding values of peening parameters were confi rmed.  Effect of transitions from peened to unpeened conditions on the magnitude of surface tensile stresses and on the likelihood of developing SCC cracks - Testing verifi ed that the tensile stresses on the surfaces Containment head stand preparation and tool set up in preparation for in transition regions from peened peening. to unpeened conditions are not high enough to raise the risk of inducing the reported measurement error and growth was performed for PWSCC initiation. (i.e., ±3 ksi for Alloy 600 and ±13 the peening process. Alloy 600  Effect of fl ow induced vibration ksi for Alloy 182) is bounded. Thus, specimens were exposed to a (FIV) on peened components or the highly accurate and reproduc- simulated nominal PWR primary nearby components - For UHPCP ible XRD measurements increased environment to determine the extent of RVCH penetrations with thermal the confi dence that the residual of stress corrosion cracking of sleeves, the integrity of the thermal stresses and depth of compression peened versus non-peened samples. sleeve and its connection to the results are representative of actual The peened samples were peened nozzle was confi rmed to not be stress conditions of the nozzles and to the industry required minimum adversely affected by FIV. Likewise, weld materials. nozzle inside diameter (ID) depth it was confi rmed that there would  The effect of potential over peening requirements. All of the non-peened be no adverse impact to nearby - Performance of extensive limiting specimens were heavily cracked components due to FIV. case erosion testing confi rmed that (crack indications and through wall This type of FOAK application peening will not adversely affect cracks) after the test period. The required management of challenges the RVCH penetration surfaces peened specimens were visually and risks posed by the highly-regulated considering adverse effects such as examined, penetrant testing (PT) nuclear industry. Some of the other

38 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 many unique attributes, challenges and process to address peening each reactor team members and strong working benefi ts from this effort included: vessel head penetration in a timely relationships within the industry and the 1. While some forms of peening have and effi cient manner that satisfi ed NRC. The team’s efforts were bolstered been implemented in light water industry commitments and NRC by a strategic activities road map that reactors in Japan for PWSCC safety evaluation requirements, while included planned actions within the mitigation, this project was the fi rst providing a repeatable methodology four legs of engineering, regulatory, application of peening an in-service along with a streamlined and consistent tooling and design, and NDE inspection RVCH in the world. implementation approach. The transition. 2. The fi rst 10CFR50.59 screening collaborative efforts between a team The implementation of the peening evaluation of a peening engineering of Exelon and AREVA individuals process to mitigate PWSCC with the change to be developed, reviewed, yielded great results and effi ciencies in reactor vessel head penetrations results and subsequently endorsed by the US development of the cavitation peening in measurable increases in organizational NRC. tooling, processes, and industry EPRI productivity and effi ciency by reducing 3. The fi rst implementation of peening guidance documents. The signifi cant the required outage inspection frequency as a special process in the USA per 10CFR50 Appendix B Criterion IX. 4. Anticipate that the fi rst head inspection after cavitation peening scheduled for October 2017 at Byron Unit 2 will successfully demonstrate that the NDE inspection technique used at Byron Unit 2 is not affected by UHPCP. 5. Motivated ASME code committee to incorporate peening affects into the ASME Code Case N-729-5. The ASME Code Case N-729-5 was approved by the Board of Nuclear Codes and Standards in September 2015. 6. Encouraged the U.S. NRC to complete a safety evaluation (SE) for peening Topical Report MRP-335, revision 3 to reduce or eliminate regulatory uncertainty in future inspection relief request decisions on peening. This safety evaluation was issued by the U.S. NRC on August 24, 2016. 7. Coordinated technical and implementation acceptance by the US NRC regulator. Exelon issued a Peening operator control station used to maneuver peening tooling, align post peening inspection relief request to reactor head nozzles, pressurize tooling, implement peening, and for Byron Unit 2 in December 2016 monitor critical peening parameters. for NRC acceptance of peening as a surface mitigation method for primary undertaking by the team to proactively from 18 months to once every 10 years water stress corrosion cracking lead the industry in development and after the initial follow-up inspections and (PWSCC) that restores the required execution of the FOAK cavitation reduces outage duration, outage dose, interval for NDE inspection to pre- peening process, to infl uence the ASME potential for costly emergent outage PWSCC inspection interval of 10 Code Case and EPRI industry peening repairs to the RVCH penetrations, and years. topical report, as well as NRC safety increases the life of the RVCH asset. evaluation requirements in less than Productivity/Effi ciency four years is a signifi cant achievement. Contact: Bradley Lanka, Exelon The team worked collaboratively The team was productive due in part Nuclear, telephone: (630) 657-2101, to develop a strategic and methodical to the technical expertise among email: [email protected].

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 39 Importance A Western European Nuclear Power Plant Faced Safety Concerns with an of Reverse Obsolete Pump Engineering in With the nuclear market supply After the initial engineering shrinking and plants closing, it’s become study, HydroAire proposed that the Obsolescence harder for existing manufacturers to plant create a replacement pump that By Faisal Salman and Nick Dagres, maintain the proper quality certifi cations would be completely supported by Hydro, Inc. to support safety-related equipment. HydroAire. A revised Bill of Materials, A nuclear power plant in western 2D and 3D solid models, and all general Europe was caught in a dilemma with drawings of the proposed components Faisal Salman their single stage boron injection pumps. were delivered to the plant. The plant Faisal Salman serves as director of The plant was struggling, trying to fi nd reviewed the prepared documents, and nuclear services spare parts for the accepted HydroAire’s solution. at HydroAire, a leaking and vibrating Division of the pumps. The existing Plans and Hydro Group of pumps were installed Complications: companies. Salman for boric acid service. HydroAire reverse engineered the has been involved in This service injects pump piece by piece and reviewed the aftermarket pump borated water into design to incorporate the modifi cations refurbishment and the reactor to kill nu- to address the vibration and seal leakage, troubleshooting clear fi ssion-a critical while congruently keeping pump for 28 years. He is service. equivalent to the OEM design. The new a graduate of the Until HydroAire’s pumps would fi t the exact specifi cations University of Illinois Nuclear Division, was as their original supplied pumps, and be with a Bachelor introduced, the nuclear fully interchangeable. This also ensures of Science degree plant, it had struggled that the pump could rely on an entity in mechanical for years to fi nd spare to support the pump. By working with engineering. parts and help with an HydroAire, the plant would get new existing problem of pumps at a fraction of the cost of buying leakage and vibration. new pumps through the OEM and the HydroAire met with their engineering and modifi cations necessary. maintenance teams to develop a solution HydroAire sent two fi eld that addressed their issues. technicians to Europe to execute the The plant was hard pressed with reverse engineering of the pump. Various a decision, either buy new pumps, challenges were encountered during the or fi nd an aftermarket engineering production of the project. First, Hydro solution: had to make sure that the manufactured

Reverse Engineering Using ROMER Absolute Arm.

40 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 reverse engineered components are In addition to supplying the parts, Nick Dagres interchangeable with all the other HydroAire has performed all the tech- Nick Dagres is the Vice President pumps. At this power plant, there were nical equivalency documentation that Nuclear Operations at HydroAire over 24 of these small volute pumps, the Nuclear industry requires. We have Service Inc., Hydro, Inc.’s nuclear so to be able to interchange an impeller provided techni- ccertifi ed facility or a casing as needed would save the cal evidence that all iinn Chicago, IL. A company thousands in repair. the components are mmechanical engineer, A major challenge presented, the physically and metal- NNick has been with pump parts were contaminated by lurgically equivalent. HHydro for 29 years. radiation. Equipped in a full nuclear And we supply all HHe is responsible for biohazard suit, Hydro technicians the general drawings ttheh overall operation scanned the volute case and its single for all the compo- ooff the nuclear facility stage impeller. To reverse engineer the nents. aand specializes in pump, Hydro utilized an Coordinate The pressure ooverall pump repair Measuring Machine to laser scan the boundary compo- aand manufacturing. impeller and volute. Hydro then created nents are now Stamp a Computational Fluid Dynamic analysis ASME Section III. to insure the geometry met the OEM The new pump per- performance characteristics. forms safety function Safety compliance was strictly and all components adhered to. Reverse engineering in were manufactured these conditions is a challenge. The to Nuclear Grade fi rst time in several years the plant technicians being suited in biohazard Quality standards, the standards follows has a manufacturer to support parts, suits challenged them to physically work US Code of Federal Regulation 10 CFR troubleshooting, and to provide further with every component the way they are App B Part 21. This is a quality program engineering. Hydro has become the used to, and many small parts made this that ensures the highest quality of com- new OEM with full support from an process harder. The other concern was ponents to the actual design data of the Organization, 100% committed to the contaminating the equipment that was pump. Nuclear market. used to reverse engineer. By moving slowly, Hydro successfully scanned the entire pump, in and out. Final Repair: This was a Class III pump based on ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code section III. Compliance in the nuclear sector is very closely monitored and was strictly adhered to. The new pump being manufactured by HydroAire has an upgraded cartridge mechanical seal without any change to existing fl ushing piping plan. Additionally the material specifi cation for parts revised is also obsolete (not available in market). The change in material was technically justifi ed, and readily available. Parts were manufactured at Hydro Upgrade- Final Impeller Geometry. HydroAire, who now serves the plants needs in the exact same way as the When working in a nuclear Contact: Hydro, Inc. 834 W. previous OEM. The new pump is industry that has many safety systems, Madison, Chicago, IL 60607; telephone: completely manufactured by Hydro, but obsolescence becomes a major issue. All (312) 738-3000. 100% interchangeable with all the other the components now have a HydroAire pumps of the same size at the plant. part number attached to them. For the

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 41 TVA is the nation’s largest TVA is currently working on the government-owned power provider.1 On Nuclear Regulatory Commission (“NRC”) TVA’s February 17, 2016, DOE requested TVA permitting process for developing two or consider the work and potential impacts more SMRs on the Clinch River Site. In Clinch from supplying enhanced reliability to its Early Site Permit Application, TVA DOE’s facilities through the potential considered the environmental impacts deployment of SMRs and associated associated with potential deployment of River transmission system features to the Oak an underground transmission line from Ridge Reservation. As the largest DOE the SMR to the Bethel Valley substation science and energy laboratory, the Oak at ORNL, which would make the Site SMR Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) transmission less vulnerable to weather is the greatest consumer of electricity events and intentional destructive acts. among the DOE’s sites and has many The proximity of the Clinch River Site Project facilities that require a continuous energy to the Oak Ridge Reservation offers a supply to safeguard analytical results and unique opportunity to provide energy machines. The Y-12 National Security security for functions critical to national Acknowledgement Complex has been described by DOE security. This Report was prepared pursuant as one of the most important national DOE and TVA could use the to a contract with Allegheny Science & security assets, because it houses the U.S. existing Power Supply Agreement for the Technology Corporation with funding stockpile of highly enriched uranium, provision of SMR-produced power and from the U.S. Department of Energy which is necessary for nuclear reactions.2 services to the Oak Ridge Reservation. (“DOE”), Ofﬁ ce of Nuclear Energy, In response to such request, TVA is Alternatively, TVA and DOE may use under Small Modular Reactor Report, exploring the inclusion of an SMR as a the authority in the Atomic Energy Act MSA No. DOE0638-1022-11, Prime power source within TVA’s inventory that which authorizes DOE to enter into Contract No. DE-NE0000638. can be used to provide electric power contracts for electric services for up to The authors of this Report are Seth Kirshenberg, Hilary Jackler, and Jane Eun at Kutak Rock LLP and Brian Oakley and Wil Goldenberg at Scully Capital Services, Inc. The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of federal government ofﬁ cials working to support the small modular reactor program and the development of nuclear power. DOE provided the resources for this Report and invaluable leadership, guidance, and input.

References 1 “TVA at a Glance,” Tennessee Valley Authority, https://www.tva.gov/ About-TVA/TVA-at-a-Glance. 2 “Y-12 National Security Complex,” Oak Ridge Offi ce of Environmental Management, https://energy.gov/ orem/cleanup-sites/y-12-national- security-complex. resilience to the Oak Ridge Reservation 25 years; 3 however, such contract may be 3 “Electric Utility Contracts; Authority to and other potential uses (including for a maximum of 20 years under TVA’s Enter Into; Cancellation; Submission research and isotope production use). existing authority.4 to Energy Committees,” 42 U.S. TVA has identifi ed the site for one or Given the load characteristics of Code § 2204, 1954, https://www. more SMRs on the Clinch River (the the Oak Ridge Reservation and its gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE- “Clinch River Site”), which is owned and proximity to the Clinch River Site, an 2015-title42/pdf/USCODE-2015- controlled by TVA and is located next to SMR could be confi gured to allow the title42-chap23-divsnA-subchapXIII- ORNL in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Oak Ridge Reservation to operate in an sec2204.pdf. 4 “Conservation,” 16 U.S. Code § 831i.

42 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 islanded mode during periods of grid with special resilience services to the features. Additional services may be outages. Additionally, the power plant’s Oak Ridge Reservation would require a provided by the SMR to offset the cost confi guration would allow the SMR to contractual arrangement. premium, such as setting aside one or provide black start capability. Between TVA and DOE (acting on more reactor modules for research or The most likely method for fi nancing behalf of the Oak Ridge Reservation) production of isotopes by DOE. Figure this Project is for TVA to fi nance the that allows for costs associated with the 2 includes a notional cost analysis from Project as a corporate undertaking. Under SMRs to be assessed to DOE over a TVA’s perspective which shows how a corporate borrowing structure, the SMR long period of time. This would serve to the levelized cost of energy of the SMR would be one of TVA’s grid assets, and offset any cost premium of fi rst-of-a-kind could be offset in several ways. their installation costs would be recovered (“FOAK”) SMRs, a key consideration for through utility cost-of-service principles, TVA as it seeks to avoid investments in Recommendations whereby revenue requirements would generating assets that introduce added to Advance the refl ect cost drivers specifi c to each class costs to its ratepayers. Deployment of Small of customers. As the Oak Ridge Reservation Modular Reactors The Project’s fi nancial structure would be the predominant benefi ciary of There are many ways the federal benefi ts greatly from being on TVA’s the resilience benefi t of the SMR, TVA government can assist with making the balance sheet. As a corporate undertaking would require the federal government fi nancing and development of SMRs of TVA, credit will be supported by to fund the incremental costs associated easier – both in its role as a customer and TVA’s corporate revenue and assets. with the plant’s increased resilience (as as a governing body – such as: TVA is a long-standing bond issuer with this burden should not be borne by TVA’s 1. Permit federal agencies to enter into agreements with a term of up to 30 years to purchase power produced by SMRs; 2. Facilitate TVA’s Clinch River Site project as a pilot project for SMRs, while simultaneously providing DOE with critical energy resilience and a potential opportunity to conduct research and isotope services; 3. Extend the 2005 Energy Policy Act Production Tax Credits and allow applicability to public power entities; 4. Authorize the DOE Loan Program to continue to support advanced reactors; 5. Include nuclear power in the defi nition of “clean power,” and if EPA’s Clean Power Plan continues, add a rule that encourages states to support SMRs giving them credit for the zero- carbon energy; and 6. DOE and DOD should collaborate to identify facilities that can benefi t investment-grade ratings from the three other ratepayers). This would include from hosting or having an SMR major credit agencies. This will ease the cost of incremental transmission located near the facility to achieve access to fi nance and lower interest rates infrastructure, switchgear, and cost added energy resilience. (cost of borrowing), as compared to a premiums associated with the SMR project fi nancing. Since TVA generates relative to alternative electric generation revenue from a portfolio of power plants, technologies. Given the extra value the technology risk inherent in the novelty of resilient baseload electric service, of SMR technology is substantially a resilience premium paid by the Oak mitigated. Ridge Reservation could help to offset Constructing an SMR at the Clinch the incremental additional expense of River Site as TVA’s generating asset power provided by SMRs with microgrid

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 43 Fennovoima applied for a 2. Why was the ROSATOM’s VVER Hanhikivi 1 construction license to build Hanhikivi 1 (AES-2006) chosen? By Jouni Sipiläinen, Fennovoima, Nuclear Power Plant in 2015. It will be There are many reasons. One is the Finland. a VVER-1200 pressurized water reactor fi nancing, but of course the fi nancing supplied by Rosatom, Russia. The main would have been asked from any other focus in 2018 is to review and deliver supplier, but the VVER technology is the construction license documentation, reliable. This is not the fi rst generation of Jouni Sipiläinen start production of long lead items, VVER. It might be the 10th generation. Jouni Sipiläinen is Fennovoima’s development of supply chain and It’s a proven technology, the primary Construction Director and works preparatory work at the Hanhikivi 1 site. circuit itself. They have 36 power plants in Pyhäjoki, Finland, overseeing that are already running with this VVER the construction 1. Why is Pyhäjoki technology, and in Finland we have very works. He has a good location to good experience with VVER technology previously worked build a new nuclear at the Loviisa plant, owned and operated for Quattrogemini, plant? by Fortum. a construction We had 48 dif- company in Russia ferent places in Fin- 3. What happens when you receive the of which he was the land which we inves- construction license? CEO. tigated, and fi nally When we receive the construction there were two left. license, then we can start to build the Jouni has previous Pyhäjoki and Simo, plant itself, which means that we can experience from which is 150 km to start to cast the bases of the nuclear managing large the north here. The island and turbine island. construction projects in Russia. benefi t of Pyhäjoki compared to the oth- 4. What are the steps of building the He is an Engineer er place is, that there plant? and graduated is no permanent ac- When you build a plant in a from the Technical commodation closer greenfi eld, like we are doing, fi rst you University in Finland in 1988. than 4 km. And the one big reason was, have to have some sort of an access road of course, the support of (the people in) to get there. We only had one very narrow Pyhäjoki. They are very cooperative and road here. So the fi rst thing, what we eager to have us here. did, was to make this access road from

An interview by Michelle Gaylord, Assistant Editor and Marketing Manager of Nuclear Plant Journal in Pyhäjoki at the Hanhikivi 1 site on October 11, Artist’s Rendition of AES-2006. 2017 .

44 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 Highway 8. After that, we continued to the site. Along the access road, we brought all the plumbing and sewer connections, as well as the fi rst phase of the electrical power connections, so we can connect or have electricity, and IT connections. After the access road was completed, we continued from the border, where we crossed the secondary checkpoint. We have the infrastructure for the construction under Fennovoima’s scope which is quite ready, already. All the roads, they are permanent roads. What is missing is still the parking areas. The next building related to the plant or the plant operation, will be the administration building. It will be ready soon after we receive the construction licence. When we get the construction license, we still have to operate in some temporary offi ce buildings, but once the Site’s Expected Aerial View. administration building and plant offi ce And of course there is social media, such talk about anything what might trouble will be completed, all Fennovoima staff as Facebook etc., where people can reach them, whether it be nuclear energy as will move to those permanent buildings. us and our communications team will a concept or something more concrete always answer them. such as noise levels during construction. 5. Is everything expected to be completed by 2024? We are currently submitting documents for the construction licence application as the documents will be delivered in batches. There has been some delay in delivering those documents, but we aim to receive the licence in 2019. As for the fi nal deadline, we are now waiting for the new schedule from our plant supplier but at the moment, 2024 is the year when everything should be operational.

6. What have you seen since you’ve been at the site about the public reception? Have you done anything within the community just to make it known that you’re here and trying to get the community involved? Communications has been doing a lot and has been at the core of our company since the beginning. We aim to be transparent and involve all our stakeholders in the decisions, not just Open Day at the Site. inform them but actually engage with them. We have, for example, regular information We have had a local ofﬁ ce here in Then of course we sponsor local exchange evenings for the locals, trying to Pyhäjoki since, I think 2008, where the sport teams and other activities, to tell what we’re doing here and give them locals can (and they have) come inside to keep the community active because an opportunity to voice their opinions. (Continued on page 46)

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 45 Hanhikivi 1... (Continued from page 45)

also eventually Fennovoima staff will themselves almost all move here in the region and become locals themselves. Every week we have a couple of visits at the site by professional groups such as entrepreneurs in the region or for example councilors from the neighboring municipality. We’ve also organized a couple of Open Days at the site which has become more and more popular by the year. In 2017, it was on September 9, 2017 and we had 2,500 visitors. That’s a lot when you consider Pyhäjoki itself only has a bit over 3,000 inhabitants.

7. Who is providing the major equipment? Yeah, it’s coming from one of Rosatom’s two other companies. They are doing the pressure vessel for it. So, in principle, the primary circuit is coming from Rosatom corporation, from their two other companies. The instrumentation and control is coming partly from Rolls-Royce.

Contact: Jouni Sipiläinen, Fennovoima, Salmisaarenaukio 1, 00180 Helsinki, Finland telephone: 358 20 757 9200, email: jouni.sipilainen@ fennovoima.ﬁ .

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46 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 Summary outer diameter (OD) of the core shroud BWR Core The Boiling Water Reactor Vessel and the inner diameter (ID) of the reactor Internals Project (BWRVIP) sponsored pressure vessel (RPV) where jet pump by the Electric Power Research Insti- assemblies occupy a large majority of Shroud UT tute (EPRI) requires that the core shroud the annulus volume. The challenges welds be ultrasonically (UT) inspected include extremely high dose rates, tight Examinations at different intervals with a maximum gaps between the jet pumps and the core By Steven Williams, Duke Energy of 10 years unless inspection relief has shroud, water depths on the order of 80 Progress. been accepted by the Nuclear Regulatory feet, and areas of high fl ow rates due Commission (NRC). For BWRs that have to shutdown cooling operations. BWR entered the period of extended operation, units with repair clamps/tie rods present Steven Williams it is a regulatory requirement by their ex- additional challenges with respect to Steve Williams is a Lead Nuclear tended licenses to perform core shroud tooling interference. The inspection Engineer at the Brunswick Nuclear inspections. These inspections have typi- task requires complex, robust tooling Plant. He is currently the program cally interrogated indications parallel that can remotely perform the required manager for the RPV & Internals with the horizontal and vertical welds in inspections underwater in high dose Structural Integrity the heat affected zone fi elds. A model of the Brunswick Unit 1 Aging Management by the degradation core shroud, showing repair clamps and Program (AMP) mechanism known as jet pump assemblies with shroud tooling and has been intergranular stress is shown in Graphic 2. in Brunswick corrosion cracking To comply with the interim guidance Engineering (IGSCC). Recently, issued in March 2016, the Brunswick since 2001. As a relevant indications Nuclear Power Plant (BNP) owned 1987 graduate of have been found and operated by Duke Energy Progress Virginia Tech with a that are not typical, (DUKE) established a project team Bachelor of Science as they are oriented with AREVA to proactively address degree in Materials transverse to the weld the interim guidance requirements Engineering with a and heat affected zone for implementation in the Spring minor in Chemistry, which is inconsistent 2016 refuel outage. During previous he has 30 years with known IGSCC. outages, a signifi cant number of OAFs of experience as a These relevant indica- were identifi ed by visual examination. materials engineer tions perpendicular to Several relevant indications were at both Duke welds have been des- identifi ed that were longer than 4" and Energy Progress ignated by the BWR- one was on the order of 12" extending and Framatome. As VIP as off axis fl aws perpendicular off a long beltline region an active member of the BWR Vessel (OAF). Small indications, less than 4" vertical weld using remote in-vessel Internals Program (BWRVIP) Mitigation in length, represent the majority of fl aws visual inspection techniques (IVVI). Committee since 2005, he was named discovered in some BWR plants; howev- The team’s focus was to develop a new Utility Chairman in 2017. er, several long (>4") through-wall OAFs ultrasonic technique (UT) and remote have been reported in at least three BWR tooling to satisfy the newly developed units. An example of welds with OAFs industry interim guidance requirements Nuclear Energy Institute’s Top are shown in Graphic 1. to properly identify and characterize as Innovative Practice Process Awards To understand these new OAF many previously identifi ed and other highlight the nuclear industry’s most indications, the BWRVIP created a core previously un-inspected regions for OAF innovative techniques and ideas. shroud focus group to evaluate the data fl aws, without impacting the site outage available and issue guidance for future schedule and maintaining personnel This innovation won the a 2017 Top inspections. The focus group basically dose as low as reasonably achievable Industry Practice Award. realized that there was not enough data; (ALARA). therefore, the BWRVIP requested that the The Duke/AREVA team successfully The team members who participated utilities include some level of inspections performed the inspection in the spring of included Mark Sloman, NDE looking for OAFs starting as early as 2016 with a new BWRVIP demonstrated Mechanical Engineering Manager Spring 2016. phased array ultrasonic technique and AREVA; Brad Thigpen, Manager, NDE This is the success of a First-of-a- new tooling that could meet the interim Development & Strategy, AREVA; Kind (FOAK) examination and automated guidance and current BWRVIP inspection John Becker, Manager, Site Program tooling development. These inspections requirements with only one tool. This Engineering, Duke Energy Progress; can often times drive refuel fl oor and/or new tooling is capable of inspecting all Steven K. Williams, Lead Nuclear outage critical path and are performed in required welds (vertical and horizontal). Engineer, Duke Energy Progress. the congested annulus area between the (Continued on page 48)

Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 47 and dose intensive to inspection Assessment Committee were developing BWR Core... personnel. To inspect the core shroud, interim guidance, but just as important, (Continued from page 47) the tooling basically scrubs the highly the team focused on proper delivery. Both contaminated surface making the tool a DUKE and AREVA supported extensive high dose contaminated source. Several planning, testing, training, and design decontamination attempts are required reviews/demonstrations. A mockup There were no safety issues or personnel to reduce the dose so that the technicians designed that replicated the BNP Unit 1 contaminations during the BNP Unit 1 can safely work on the tooling. In specifi c inspection areas, including repair Core Shroud inspection process. addition, tool features such as fully clamps, was used to qualify the tooling remote, encoded, and on board cameras and train personnel for safe installation and operation as shown in Graphic 3. Cost Savings The total cost savings to DUKE for the Unit 1 shroud inspection using the new Core Shroud OAF tooling was approximately $130,000. The cost savings were a result of the following:  The AREVA crew time on site was reduced by 12 hrs. (12 total hrs.): $25k saved.  4 hours of critical path time was saved (2 hrs. to remove the tool, and 2 hours to reinstall): Based on an average outage cost estimate of $800k/day: $67k saved.  Approximately 500mr in dose was saved in the two shroud outages by Graphic 1. eliminating the tool removal/decon/ reconfi guration/reinstallation. A Safety Response supported the safe delivery and operation large team is required to perform No safety issues, personnel of the tool. these steps (RP, crane/bridge contaminations events, or Human The safe execution of the new Core operators/techs/decon team). At Performance errors were experienced Shroud tool/technique was a direct result $25k per REM, $12.5k was saved. in completing the FOAK Shroud of DUKE/AREVA’s commitment to safety  Time saved by scanning all welds in examination. Safety and radiation and operational excellence. The team a lane vs. going to a lane twice with exposure were the teams main focus while meeting or exceeding the BWRVIP interim guidance for OAF indications. The team concentrated on several key design requirements to safely perform the inspection.  UT techniques to detect all possible fl aw orientations.  One tool for all inspections.  Robust tool design/components.  Easy installation and removal.  Remotely controlled with minimal reactor building support. By deploying one tool that preformed the entire inspection, the team minimized safety risks and radiation dose. Old techniques/tooling required one to two tool removals/installations and reconfi gure evolutions to switch the tool for the different inspections Graphic 2. (horizontal weld, vertical weld, and OAF detection and fl aw sizing exams). These properly developed the product while the two different tools was 12 hrs.: $25k evolutions are typically time consuming Core Shroud focus group and BWRVIP saved.

48 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018  Cost avoidance of deploying the new technique (UT transducer) and package axis, the generation of longitudinal and OAF inspections in 2016 in lieu of the transducers into a robust, reliable, and shear wave modes, combined with the 2018 or 2020 at BNP, which would automated tool design. To identify all fl aw ability to steer and skew the ultrasonic have been required by the BWRVIP types, the team tested multiple concepts beam provided a very robust technique interim guidance, was also realized. on the EPRI Core Shroud Remnant That is, the already scheduled 10- Mockup, which contains examples of year Core Shroud inspection was due circumferential and axial fl aws as shown in Spring 2016. The combined 10- in Graphic 4. year inspection and implementation This data and 3D modeling were of the OAF detection capabilities to then used to optimize the probe design meet the interim guidance avoided a with emphasis on the generation of cost on the order of $1.8M. both L-Wave and Shear Wave modes, beam skewing, and probe size. Probe Innovation Response size was one of the main challenges The project team overcame the and innovations of this product. Both Graphic 3. following challenges: the probe and the delivery tool had to fi t  High dose and temperature. in the tight gap at each weld. The team capable of detecting and characterizing  Small gap between jet pumps and worked with OYLMPUS (transducer cracking regardless of the crack shroud (< 2"). manufacturer) to develop the fi nal probe orientation with respect to the weld  Obstacles: Both BNP units have design. The probe housed two 8 x 4 axis. The UT data was collected using a repair clamps in each jet pump lane matrix-64 elements (dual 32 element scanning sequence where the transducers at the H3 horizontal weld. arrays) in a 1.6" X 2.06" X .87" package. were moved parallel to the weld axis and  UT technique had to detect and size It is important to note that only one probe then indexed towards or away from the parallel and OAFs. design was ultimately required since the weld. In this manner a very high level  Inspect horizontal welds H4-H7, and tooling was able to deliver the probe in of data density was achievable while all vertical welds V1-V8. two different orientations. maintaining an effi cient examination The main focus of the team was to Having transducers orientated time. design and qualify a new OAF inspection parallel and perpendicular to the weld (Continued on page 50) CURE COOLING WATER INLEAKAGE Pop-A-Plug® Tube Plugging System Pop-A-Plug® P2

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Nuclear Plant Journal, January-February 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 49 designed to engage and disengage the Graphic 5 depicts a sketch of the complete BWR Core... transducers to the surface and multi-axis tool, transducers, and scan patterns. (Continued from page 49) transducer swivel mounts were designed to The new FOAK tool confi guration ensure they maintained proper contact to and UT demonstration successfully the inspection surface. The tool remotely completed the core shroud inspections engages the scan arm using a four bar for OAF at Brunswick Unit 1 with The goal was to have one tool linkage, then the scan arm is rotated 90 exceptional data quality. Innovations confi guration for all welds. Therefore, the degrees to scan the fi rst side of the weld- of the new tooling saved schedule and designers packaged four transducers into then rotated 180 degrees to scan the personnel exposure resulting in a cost savings to Duke. Productivity/Effi ciency The new tool and technique saved actual data acquisition time. In addition, the AREVA/Duke team realized increased productivity/effi ciencies relating to analyzing the inspection data. The quality of the data and signals available to review allowed the required analysts to quickly interrogate and present the results. This is important since a structural analysis is typically required for all relevant indications identifi ed. The data analysis results were effi ciently transferred to the appropriate engineering organizations for evaluation and analysis, and presented to the Plant’s Nuclear Safety Committee (PNSC), which includes NRC inspector Graphic 4. presence, prior to plant startup. a scan arm that directed the transducer opposite side of the weld. By using four Transferability beams perpendicular and parallel to the probes properly positioned, the scan arm The tool and demonstrated UT welds. Small robust air cylinders were acquires approximately 55" of weld length. technique can be used to inspect both units at BNP as well as most BWR 3/4/5 confi gurations. BNP Unit 2 will be inspected in the spring of 2017 using the same tool with improvements based on lessons learned from the BNP Unit 1 inspection campaign. Some specifi c weld geometries may require a supplemental demonstration; however, the tool and transducers should be the same.

Contact: Steven Williams, Duke Energy, telephone: (910) 457-2318, email: steve.Williams4@duke-energy. com.

Graphic 5.

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