AECL provides update on NRU activities
CHALK RIVER, ON, May 26 /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 the final and most challenging weld repair was applied to the NRU vessel over the weekend. Ninety-three per cent of the NRU weld repair activities are now complete.
Non-destructive examination (NDE) of the final repair site is currently underway and the NDE data collected will be used to confirm the success of the final repair.
Activities related to the start-up phase of the NRU return-to-service project are ongoing in parallel to NDE activities. There are 19 start-up procedures involving more than 1,000 subset activities required to safely return the reactor to high power.
More information on the return to service of the NRU is available at NRUCanada.ca.
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. It is estimated that NRU will resume isotope production by the end of July. Further guidance on the return-to-service date will be provided when more information becomes available.
AECL is working diligently to return the NRU to service as quickly and safely as possible. Efforts are being driven by more than 300 highly qualified AECL staff and industry partners involved in the vessel repairs and return-to-service activities.
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