Reactor at France's Oldest Nuclear Plant Cleared for Restart

Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--A unit at France's oldest nuclear power plant, Fessenheim, has been cleared for restart after nine months out of action.

The country's Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) stated that it has lifted the suspension on the plant after declearing a steam generator at the Fessenheim 2 nuclear reactor fit for service. The plant is operated by state-controlled utility Électricité de France SA (EPA:EDF) (Paris, France). In May 2016, Industrial Info reported that AREVA SA (EPA:AREVA) (Paris, France) had admitted that irregularities could have affected roughly 400 components used in the nation's nuclear power plants built since 1965. This led ASN to order investigations into 12 reactors that may have been affected by a carbon concentration anomaly in the steam generator channel heads manufactured by Japan Casting and Forging Corporation (JCFC). For additional information, see May 10, 2016, article - AREVA Admits "Irregularities" with 400 Nuclear Power Plant Components.

Regarding the steam generator at Fessenheim Unit 2, ASN stated: "After examining the file transmitted by Framatome (formerly Areva NP), ASN considers that the anomaly in the forging of a shell of this steam generator does not compromise its serviceability and that its compliance with the regulations is thus demonstrated. It more specifically notes that the mechanical properties of the material comply with the initial hypotheses of the design studies."

It added: "On 18th July 2016, ASN suspended the test certificate it had issued in 2012 for steam generator N° 335, which led to continuation of the shutdown of Fessenheim NPP Reactor 2. This suspension followed the detection in 2016 of an irregularity in one of the parts of this steam generator, called the lower shell,' manufactured by the Creusot Forge plant: the forging process for the lower shell of this steam generator, made in 2008, was not compliant with the technical file submitted to ASN, which had not been informed accordingly at the time. This decision to lift the pressure test certificate suspension is taken in the light of the safety issues and does not prejudge any legal proceedings which could be taken as a result of the irregularities found in the Creusot Forge plant."

The current French government has pledged to close 17 of its 58 nuclear reactors by 2025. It follows a plan by the previous administration to reduce the country's overwhelming reliance on nuclear power to 50% of total electricity supply from its current 75% reliance. For additional information, see July 20, 2017, article - France To Shut 17 Nuclear Reactors by 2025.

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