MISSISSAUGA, ON,
Dec. 22
/CNW/ - Atomic Energy of
Canada
Limited (AECL) has signed a multi-million dollar product and services contract with
Tokyo
Electric Power Company (TEPCO), marking the first time that AECL has been awarded a contract in
Japan
.
The sale includes pump seals critical to power plant operation, spare parts, and training and consulting services in support of product installation.
The deal has already proven successful with the first pump seal installation completed in early November and a successful plant start-up on
November 28
. The Japanese power plant achieved full power on
December 3, 2009
.
"This is the outcome of excellent teamwork between
Canada
and
Japan
, and this sale, and the subsequent successful installation, is extremely important to AECL's global services business," says
Scott Malcolm
, Acting General Manager, CANDU Services. "This shows our ability to service global power markets in addition to our CANDU nuclear power plant customers."
The cooperative research and development (R&D) effort between AECL's Chalk River Laboratories Fluid Seal Technology (FST) branch and TEPCO began in
May 2004
. By
January 2006
, a program was in place to validate, test and qualify AECL's pump seals for Japanese Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs).
"TEPCO put AECL's pump seals through rigorous performance testing and they passed with flying colours," Malcolm adds. "And with 32 BWRs in
Japan
, of which 15 are operated by TEPCO, there is significant growth potential for future sales."
The dependability of a pump seal is directly linked to reduced maintenance costs and increased plant reliability. Without a properly functioning pump seal, a power plant will shut down. AECL pump seals are currently used in all CANDU nuclear power plants as well as in BWRs in the
United States
,
Switzerland
and
Mexico
.
About AECL
Atomic Energy of
Canada
Limited is a full-service nuclear technology company, providing services to nuclear utilities around the world. Established in 1952, AECL is the designer and builder of CANDU technology including the CANDU 6, one of the world's top-performing reactors. AECL's 5,000 employees deliver cutting edge nuclear services, R&D support, design, and engineering, construction management, specialized technology, refurbishment, waste management and decommissioning in support of CANDU reactor products. More information on AECL and CANDU reactor technology can be found at www.aecl.ca.
For further information: Dale Coffin, Director, AECL Corporate Communications, 1-866-886-AECL (2325)
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