– By Stephen Heiser –
A delegation of French Parliamentarians visited the Olkiluoto 3 construction site, in Finland, on July 8.
The group was composed of members from different political parties, all having the same goal: to develop and promote the French Nuclear Industry.
"Olkiluoto 3 is a master piece of the French nuclear high technology" concluded Jean-Paul Anciaux, one of the Parliamentarians. "You're one of the finest technological showcases of the French industry."
AREVA reviewed with them the project status, notably the recent achievements and the upcoming milestones. The Parliamentarians began then an in-depth visit of the Nuclear Island's buildings, including the inner dome on the top of the Reactor Building and the Reactor Pressure Vessel in its pit.
The visitors were highly impressed by the dimension of the construction site, as well as by the professionalism and know-how of the AREVA teams. "Congratulations to the AREVA's technology. It's a great honor for our country" said Robert Lecou at the end of the tour.
On June 22nd, the construction of the Olkiluoto 3 (OL3) EPR reactor in Finland reached a new symbolic milestone, with the installation of the reactor pressure vessel in the reactor building.
The reactor pressure vessel was first transported from its storage hangar, to just outside the reactor containment, and then lifted into the reactor building before its final vertical introduction into the reactor pit.
The steel component weighs 420 tons, and measures 5.3 meters in diameter and 10.6 meters in height. It was installed using the permanent polar crane and a large movable crane.
This latest operation, a remarkable technical feat, came after the reactor dome fitted in September 2009.
Jean-Pierre Mouroux, OL3 Project Director, said: “Once again, the teams in charge of installing the EPR reactor pressure vessel have demonstrated their tremendous know-how. We are very proud of this world’s first, which stretches AREVA’s lead in the construction of generation 3+ reactors.”
This stage kicked off a flurry of installation activities for heavy nuclear components, coinciding with the installation and start-up testing of electro-mechanical systems.
AREVA reviewed the project status, notably the recent achievements and the upcoming milestones. The Parliamentarians began then an in-depth visit of the Nuclear Island's buildings, including the inner dome on the top of the Reactor Building and the Reactor Pressure Vessel in its pit.