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Released November 01, 2016 | GALWAY, IRELAND
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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--France has ordered state-owned EDF to take five nuclear reactors offline within the next three months for additional inspections on their steam generators.
The French nuclear power regulator Autorite de Surete Nucleaire (ASN) said that high concentrations of carbon had been found in the steel components used. The components were forged in the Le Creusot forge, owned by AREVA S.A. (EPA:AREVA) (Paris, France), which has been the focus of a widening investigation into faulty components. Such high concentrations of carbon can weaken the steel and potentially lead to nuclear accidents. France gets around three quarters of its power from 58 nuclear reactors, all operated by EDF.
In May, Industrial Info reported that the troubled engineering company had admitted that irregularities could have affected roughly 400 components used in the nation's nuclear power plants (NPPs) since 1965. For additional information, see May 10, 2016, article--AREVA Admits "Irregularities" with 400 Nuclear Power Plant Components.
"The analyses performed by EDF at ASN's request since 2015 conclude that certain channel heads of the steam generators manufactured by Areva Creusot Forge or Japan Casting and Forging Corporation (JCFC) contain a significant carbon concentration zone which could lead to lower than expected mechanical properties," ASN stated. "These steam generators equip 18 reactors of the 900-megawatt (MW) and 1450-MW plant series. Of these reactors, 12 are equipped with channel heads manufactured by JCFC and are liable to contain a particularly high carbon concentration."
ASN has called on EDF to inspect Civaux Unit 1, Fessenheim Unit 1, Gravelines Unit 4 and Tricastin Units 2 & 4. It has been told not to wait for "the scheduled refuelling outage."
Last year, ASN announced that it had discovered an "anomaly" in the composition of the steel in certain zones of the vessel closure head and the vessel bottom head of the new Flamanville EPR reactor. This has led to the wider investigation of Le Creusot forge and existing components. France's current government has pledged to reduce the country's reliance on nuclear power from 75% to 50%, although it has failed to announce which plants will close first or confirmed a firm schedule for closure. In late 2014, Industrial Info reported that the government had committed to closing a significant number of its oldest nuclear plants. For additional information, see October 16, 2014, article - France to Cut Nuclear Reliance to 50%.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, five offices in North America and 10 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
The French nuclear power regulator Autorite de Surete Nucleaire (ASN) said that high concentrations of carbon had been found in the steel components used. The components were forged in the Le Creusot forge, owned by AREVA S.A. (EPA:AREVA) (Paris, France), which has been the focus of a widening investigation into faulty components. Such high concentrations of carbon can weaken the steel and potentially lead to nuclear accidents. France gets around three quarters of its power from 58 nuclear reactors, all operated by EDF.
In May, Industrial Info reported that the troubled engineering company had admitted that irregularities could have affected roughly 400 components used in the nation's nuclear power plants (NPPs) since 1965. For additional information, see May 10, 2016, article--AREVA Admits "Irregularities" with 400 Nuclear Power Plant Components.
"The analyses performed by EDF at ASN's request since 2015 conclude that certain channel heads of the steam generators manufactured by Areva Creusot Forge or Japan Casting and Forging Corporation (JCFC) contain a significant carbon concentration zone which could lead to lower than expected mechanical properties," ASN stated. "These steam generators equip 18 reactors of the 900-megawatt (MW) and 1450-MW plant series. Of these reactors, 12 are equipped with channel heads manufactured by JCFC and are liable to contain a particularly high carbon concentration."
ASN has called on EDF to inspect Civaux Unit 1, Fessenheim Unit 1, Gravelines Unit 4 and Tricastin Units 2 & 4. It has been told not to wait for "the scheduled refuelling outage."
Last year, ASN announced that it had discovered an "anomaly" in the composition of the steel in certain zones of the vessel closure head and the vessel bottom head of the new Flamanville EPR reactor. This has led to the wider investigation of Le Creusot forge and existing components. France's current government has pledged to reduce the country's reliance on nuclear power from 75% to 50%, although it has failed to announce which plants will close first or confirmed a firm schedule for closure. In late 2014, Industrial Info reported that the government had committed to closing a significant number of its oldest nuclear plants. For additional information, see October 16, 2014, article - France to Cut Nuclear Reliance to 50%.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, five offices in North America and 10 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
