Angra 2: Integrated Maintenance Service Minimizes First Refueling Outage Duration

Framatome ANP received a broad-scope order for service work to be performed during the first annual refueling outage (in March 2002) at the Angra 2 nuclear power plant. In addition to service work on the reactor floor and for the fuel assemblies, maintenance work also will be performed on valves, pumps and pump motors. The emergency diesel generating units, electrical and I&C systems, HVAC systems, and reactor coolant pumps of the 1309 MWe PWR plant also will undergo a comprehensive inspection.

All major inspection work will be performed in close cooperation with the Brazilian partner and customer, the state-owned Eletrobràs Termonuclear S.A. (ELETRONUCLEAR), as well as experienced subcontractors from Germany and Brazil. In total, more than 1,000 specialists will be involved in the outage. Thanks to the integrated service concept developed by Framatome ANP and the strong commitment of the utility, manpower and time scheduling for all companies and independent experts involved is coordinated for an outage duration of less than thirty days. The services package also includes non-outage-related maintenance activities that will be performed throughout the year 2002 with the plant on line.

Looking Ahead to Angra 3

One year after the start of commercial operation at Angra 2, the Brazilian government authorized the plant owner and operator, Eletrobr‡s Termonuclear S.A. (ELETRONUCLEAR), to start preparing for the resumption of construction work at Angra 3. Initial tasks consist of nuclear and environmental licensing, adapting supply contracts and negotiating required financing. ELETRONUCLEAR already has invested US $750 million in this project. Completion of Angra 3 is estimated to cost another US $1.7 billion.

The contract for Angra 2 and 3 was awarded in 1976 under the terms of the German-Brazilian intergovernmental agreement on cooperation for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. However, money shortages caused work on Angra 3 to be halted in the mid-1980s. Angra 2 and 3 are both PWR units of the 1300 MWe class.

Steam Generator Secondary-Side Cleaning at Pickering B

Framatome ANP performed the steam generator secondary-side chemical cleaning of Units 5, 6 and 8 of Pickering B Nuclear Power Station, a CANDU plant operated by Ontario Power Generation (OPG). The main goal of the cleaning project was to prevent or significantly reduce boiler tube degradation caused by corrosion product deposition.

Our patented, high-temperature cleaning process was selected on the basis of its short application time and high efficiency, and because it does not require any plant modifications.

All 36 steam generators were cleaned during maintenance outages within less than 12 months. More than 18,849 lbs. (8550 kg) of deposits were removed. This was the third steam generator cleaning project successfully performed for OPG.

Cleaning of the Unit 7 steam generator secondary sides is scheduled for early 2003, again using Framatome ANP's proven high-temperature process.

Ling Ao Unit 1 Achieves First Criticality On Schedule

Ling Ao control room

Six years ago Framatome ANP and its Chinese partners established a schedule for the Ling Ao nuclear power units being constructed in China. Ling Ao Unit 1 achieved first criticality on February 4, 2002, a few days ahead of schedule. Zero power core compliance tests were passed on February 7, thus allowing power escalation.

Chinese Safety Authority NNSA Approves 18-Month Fuel Cycles for Daya Bay NPP

Daya Bay Units 1 and 2 received a licensing permit from National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) in December 2001 to operate both plants in 18-month fuel cycles, beginning with cycle 9. This approval is the culmination of three years' engineering work performed by Framatome ANP with participation by Nuclear Power Institute of China (NPIC) and Guangdong Nuclear Power Joint Venture Company Limited (GNPJVC). Cycle 9 specific reload safety evaluations of both Units and recent start-up tests results for Unit 2 also met the safety criteria, confirming the generic safety demonstration.

New design tools, such as SCIENCE for nuclear design and CATHARE for LOCA analyses now being licensed in China, probably will open future opportunities for nuclear power plant performance optimization and for a continued successful collaboration.

Safety Injection Valve Replacement

Framatome ANP received an order from Electricité 233; de France (EDF) for the replacement of a safety injection check valve and the up-stream elbow, at Fessenheim 1 in 2002. This unusual replacement follows inspections, during which indications were found in the seat of the valve and in the first weld of the elbow.

A soft chemical decontamination process will be implemented to reduce man Rem exposure. Due to the elbow replacement, the fit-up sequence will use a Romer 3D arm that will be positioned on the valve flange. This manipulator will provide accurate measurements, to ensure correct positioning of the cutting and beveling of the spool piece. This technique was successfully used for a Residual Heat Removal System partial replacement. Once everything is properly positioned, an automatic tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding technique, assisted by video surveillance, will be implemented. A volumetric inspection will be performed at the end of the operation.

UF₆- UO₂ Conversion Contract for FBFC

FBFC, a wholly-owned Framatome ANP subsidiary, signed a multiyear contract with the Japanese company Nuclear Fuel Industries Ltd. (NFI) for conversion services. This operation consists in transforming uranium hexafluoride (UF6) - enriched in Europe - into UO2 powder. Delivery is scheduled to begin in 2002.

Modernization of Control Rod Control System Completed at Forsmark 3

Framatome ANP has modernized the control system of the control rod drive mechanisms (CRDM) with the TELEPERM™ XS digital safety instrumentation and control system at Forsmark 3 Nuclear Power Station, a BWR plant that went into operation in 1985. This is the first time TELEPERM XS has been implemented in the CRDM control system of an ABB Atom (now Westinghouse Atom) nuclear power plant. The new control system provides increased availability, better and more timely information on plant conditions, and automatic, screen-aided CRDM maintenance.

In addition to the highly automated control system for the drive mechanisms of the 169 control rods and the related new calibration functions, the plant was backfitted with new switchgear and several PC-based auxiliary systems. Framatome ANP also supplied a maintenance database, a local operating station and a workshop system. The operation and monitoring functions were implemented using the TELEPERM XP instrumentation and control system.

New Industrial Partners

Continuing its strategy of local development in South Africa, Framatome ANP has acquired major shareholdings in two local companies:

• Lesidi Nuclear Services (LNS) to assemble the resources required for maintenance operations and project management,
• Signum Design and Engineering Consultants to perform modification studies.

These investments move Framatome ANP closer to ESKOM, its customer and the operator of both Koeberg units, designed by Framatome ANP. In addition, it conforms with South Africa's policy of developing local enterprises, while guaranteeing that the customer receives quality service.

Koeberg nuclear power plant

First Decontamination Performed

In autumn 2001, Framatome ANP successfully completed its first decontamination project in Taiwan at Unit 1 of Kuosheng Nuclear Power Station, a BWR plant. Both reactor coolant recirculation loops and the internals of three reactor coolant recirculation pumps were decontaminated using our world-renowned Chemical Oxidation-Reduction Decontamination (CORD^®) UV process together with Framatome ANP's Automated Mobile/Modular Decontamination Apparatus (AMDA^®). The average decontamination factors achieved in the two RCC loops were calculated to be 50.8 and 35.5, respectively, and for the RCC pump internals to be 127, 76 and 69.

The Framatome ANP CORD^® UV process is characterized by its high efficiency and low waste generation, as only chemicals are used that break down into water and carbon dioxide under ultraviolet light. For plant operators, this translates into a considerable reduction in personnel occupational exposures and low waste treatment costs.

Integration of Fuel Services Proceeds Smoothly

When the nuclear power operations of Siemens merged with Framatome in January 2001, the fuel manufacturing facilities in Richland, Washington and Lynchburg, VA were combined. The past year has been devoted to an in-depth analysis of both operations to determine the most efficient method to maximize operations while continuing to provide advanced technology and service to customers.

A plan has been developed to consolidate several operations that will be implemented over the next three years. By going slowly and deliberately and by developing step-by-step, detailed work plans and schedules, Framatome ANP is committed to ensuring on-time delivery of NCR-free assemblies, even if it means maintaining duplicate lines until the transition is complete.

A key ingredient in the plan is customer participation. Customers will be kept aware of each step, will have the opportunity to provide input to the plan in an on-going manner and can contribute their ideas and suggestions for minimizing disruptions. Framatome ANP is committed to continuing its normal R&D efforts and maintaining its schedules and quality as it goes through this process to provide the best fuel available in the US today.

Framatome ANP, Inc. to Purchase Duke Engineering and Services

Framatome ANP Inc. signed an agreement to purchase Duke Engineering and Services Inc., a subsidiary of Duke Energy located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Duke Engineering is a leading engineering and technical services firm with 1,250 employees, headquartered in Charlotte, NC.

The purchase will include three Duke Engineering business groups. The Nuclear Group focuses on nuclear engineering, plant upgrades, instrumentation and control and spent fuel storage engineering. The Federal Group provides engineering and site management for several Department of Energy nuclear sites. The Energy and Environmental Group serves the hydro, gas transmission and fossil energy markets.

Framatome ANP Inc.'s President and CEO, Tom Christopher said, "The synergy between Framatome ANP Inc. and Duke Engineering will be excellent because of Duke Engineering proficiencies and our strategic goals in the energy industry. As the world leader in nuclear engineering, nuclear fuel and nuclear services, this addition enables us to significantly broaden our business portfolio in the US."

Bruce Williamson, Duke Energy, and Tom Christopher,
Framatome ANP, Inc. at the signing

Framatome ANP/Entergy Team to Perform License Renewal at D. C. Cook

Framatome ANP, teamed with Entergy, was awarded the contract for license renewal work at American Electric Power Company's D.C. Cook nuclear power plant. The work will be implemented over several years culminating in the preparation and presentation of the license renewal documentation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for approval.

Aside from responsibility for license renewal work at all Entergy nuclear power plants, the team also was awarded a similar contract at FirstEnergy Corporation's Davis-Besse plant.