The following information bulletin is in accordance with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited's (AECL) ongoing commitment to voluntary public disclosure of events related to the Chalk River Laboratories (CRL).
AECL’s Non Destructive Examination (NDE) team has now completed the third stage of examinations of the vessel wall using special tooling for vertical inspection. NDE analysis activities remain on schedule.
Work continues with vendors on proving repair tooling designs and fabrication of the equipment. Qualification testing and training on the repair tools will be required following manufacture.
Testing of the repair processes and tools is continuing using the full height NRU mock-up in the former NRX facility.
Guidance on the duration of the shutdown continues to be founded on the best evidence available, including the most up-to-date analysis of the inspection data, progress on repair strategies, and critical path requirements for restart after an extended shutdown.
At this time, the application of the band weld build-up technique, and the number of identified repair sites, indicates the NRU will return to service during the first calendar quarter of 2010. Further guidance on a return to service date will be provided when more information becomes available.
Evidence collected to date continues to support AECL’s view that the necessary vessel repairs can be made and that NRU will be returned to service.
AECL continues to work closely with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), and CNSC safety inspectors are directly involved at the Chalk River site.
There is no threat to workers, the public, the environment or nuclear safety related to this event.
More information on the return to service of NRU is available at nrucanada.ca.