NRU Status Report No. 41

AECL provides update on NRU activities

CHALK RIVER, ON, Feb. 3 /CNW/ - The following information bulletin is in accordance with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited's (AECL) ongoing commitment to voluntary public disclosure of events related to the Chalk River Laboratories (CRL).

AECL reports that NRU reactor vessel repair activities continue. The repair team completed its first horizontal weld repair and are preparing the vessel for the next series of horizontal weld repairs. The overall repair process commenced on December 12 . To date, 36 per cent of the repair activities and associated non-destructive examinations are complete.

Welders continue to perform reliability practice welds using the new horizontal welding tools in order to qualify to conduct the next weld repair. In preparation for the next sequence of repairs, the project team continues to work with third-party experts on finalizing detailed repair procedures.

In addition to vessel repair activities, projects aimed at improving the overall reliability of key NRU reactor systems and preparing the reactor for restart are advancing. Upgrade work and commissioning of the fuel rod flask has been completed. These upgrades will greatly improve the fuel rod flask's safe operations and reliability while reloading the NRU. The flask is also used to remove medical isotopes for processing.

Every effort is being made to return the NRU to service as soon as possible. However, the program to return the NRU to service is driven by safety, producing a quality repair, conservative decision-making and completing all of the necessary analysis before executing any of the repairs.

Guidance on the duration of the shutdown continues to be founded on the best evidence available, including the most up-to-date analysis of inspection data, progress on repair strategies and critical path requirements for restart after an extended shutdown. NRU's targeted return-to-service has been updated to April. Further guidance on the return-to-service date will be provided when more information becomes available.

The first medical isotopes will begin to be removed from the NRU for processing and distribution within 10 days of the reactor being returned to service.

More information on the return-to-service of the NRU is available at NRUCanada.ca.

The CNSC safety inspectors continue to provide independent regulatory oversight of AECL activities at the Chalk River site.

There is no threat to workers, the public, the environment or nuclear safety related to this event.

For further information: Contact: Dale Coffin, Director, Corporate Communications, AECL, 1-866-886-2325