AECL provides update on NRU activities
(August 19, 2009)
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).
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has determined that Commission approval will be required prior to AECL re-fuelling the reactor. As a result, AECL and the CNSC signed the “Protocol for the NRU Restart Licensing Activities” on August 14. The Protocol, signed jointly by CNSC President & CEO Michael Binder and AECL President & CEO Hugh MacDiarmid, outlines the administrative framework, milestones and service standards for the licensing activities required for restarting the NRU reactor. The Protocol is posted at www.nrucanada.ca.
The Mark II Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) inspection tool has been deployed and examination of the previously inaccessible part of the vessel is now underway. The data received from the Mark II scans is being reviewed in parallel with the scan activity.
Work continues with specialized vendors on proving repair tooling designs and fabrication of the equipment. Qualification testing of the repair tools will be required following manufacture.
Testing of the repair process and special tools will be carried out on the full height mock-up now fully constructed in the former NRX facility at Chalk River Laboratories. The mock-up is now being used to test the specialized tools designed to perform vessel cleaning and the removal of material samples for analysis.
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 repair sites, indicates the NRU will return to service during Q1 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 very 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 repair and status updates on the NRU is available at www.nrucanada.ca.