AREVA NP announced Friday it had signed a contract with Entergy Nuclear to conduct scheduled inspections of the reactor pressure vessel internals at Unit 1 of the Arkansas Nuclear One (ANO) power plant in Russellville, Ark.
AREVA said it would employ non-destructive examination (NDE) techniques for the inspections, including ultrasonic and visual examinations, which will be used to evaluate the reactor vessel internals. The objective of these inspections, scheduled to take place in the fall of 2016, is to verify the effectiveness of the facility’s existing aging management programs to ensure long-term equipment safety, performance and reliability.
AREVA will complete this work in accordance with the Electric Power Research Institute’s Materials Reliability Program (MRP)-227, the company noted.
"With AREVA’s NDE technology and expertise, Entergy can efficiently assess the integrity of its components for safe, long-term reactor operations,” said George Beam, senior vice president of Installed Base Services at AREVA Inc. “Our team’s know-how and dedication to operational excellence play a significant role in helping Entergy maintain and extend the life of this important power facility."
The low-carbon electricity generated by the ANO facility’s two pressurized water reactors has supplied more than 60 percent of the total energy demand of Entergy's customers in Arkansas. They have been in operation for more than 40 years.
Arkansas Nuclear One, Unit 1, is a Babcock & Wilcox lowered loop pressurized water reactor (PWR) that was issued an operating license in May 1974. Its current license runs through May 20, 2034. The Arkansas Nuclear One, Unit 2 was awarded a license in September 1978 with a renewed license granted in June 2005. That license runs through July 17, 2038.