$6.5 million Chemistry and Materials Center to focus on efforts to reduce corrosion damage to plant components and fuel
– By Stephen Heiser –
AREVA has opened a new $6.5 million Chemistry and Materials Center (CMC) in Campbell County, Virginia. This 8,000 square-foot, two-story building at the company’s Mount Athos Road facility will house several laboratories and provide a key service to AREVA customers in their ongoing efforts to reduce corrosion damage to plant components and fuel.
“AREVA is committed to supporting the existing fleet of nuclear power plants to help utilities provide safe, clean and efficient electricity to Americans,” said AREVA NP Inc. CEO Michael Rencheck. “Our new Chemistry and Materials Center will increase efficiency at current plants helping utilities control costs that are eventually passed on to the consumer.”
The CMC will provide general and specialized chemistry, corrosion and metallurgical testing and analysis support for operating nuclear power plants. Additionally, the CMC will support the U.S. EPR™ design development and deployment.
“Campbell County is excited and pleased with the grand opening of the Chemistry and Materials Center at the Mt. Athos AREVA facility in Campbell County,” said R. David Laurrell, Campbell County Administrator. “The CMC is another example of how AREVA continues to provide for excellence in customer service.”
The CMC is good news for the Central Virginia region as well as AREVA’s customers.
"This new facility further strengthens AREVA's role as the world leader in nuclear power technology and our region's identity as a hotbed for nuclear energy innovation," said Bryan David, Executive Director of Virginia's Region 2000 Economic Development Council. "AREVA, with its growing, high-skilled base of employees, is doing the right things to help our region provide a supportive environment for business and knowledge creation."
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) estimated in a study released in 2001 that corrosion damage costs the U.S. electric power generating industry $17.3 billion annually or about 7.9 percent of the cost of electricity to consumers. As much as 50 percent of all forced outages at power plants are attributable to corrosion damage. An estimated 22 percent ($3.8 billion) of this cost is considered avoidable.
Using the latest equipment and cutting-edge technologies, the CMC will analyze radioactive and non-radioactive samples of solids, liquids and gases from all locations in Pressurized Water Reactor and Boiling Water Reactor plants including reactor coolant, secondary plant water, cooling water and consumable materials. The CMC will also enhance AREVA’s chemistry capabilities by incorporating its global capabilities, including R&D, products and services from French and European teams. About 10 to 12 technical experts in power plant chemistry and corrosion control will staff and support the CMC Lab.