AECL provides update on NRU activities
CHALK RIVER, ON, Feb. 17 /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 the non-destructive examination of the second horizontal weld repair and is preparing the vessel for the next series of repairs. To date, 43 per cent of the repair activities and associated non-destructive examinations are complete. The overall repair process began on December 12, 2009.
Preparations for the next repair using the horizontal weld tool are underway and this repair will incorporate weld build-up applied over two backing strips.
Welders continue to perform practice welds in the NRU mockups to qualify for the next repair. An additional NRU mock-up has been constructed to support welder qualification and to enhance the practice of the full series of repair tasks . The project team continues to work with third-party experts on finalizing detailed repair procedures for the next sequence of repairs.
More information on the weld repair process and the work being done in parallel to prepare the NRU for restart is available at NRUCanada.ca.
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 completion all of the necessary analyses 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.
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: Dale Coffin, Director, Corporate Communications, AECL, 1-866-886-2325
Share this article