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After three years' preparation, Novatome successfully completed its inspection of the Phenix Fast Breeder Reactor internals. Inspection results confirmed that the internals were in good condition, bringing the reactor a step closer to a restart date. With the conclusion of an inspection of the primary circuit internals, Novatome, a division of Framatome ANP, completed an extensive non-destructive inspection (NDE) program requested by the Phenix plant. Included in the program were the setting up of the TV inspection - which required the partial draining of the primary-side sodium - supervision of the supply of various materials developed by Visionic and the actual inspection. Justification studies for the inspection were performed at the same time, focusing on thermal hydraulic, safety and radiation protection required by the lowering of the sodium level in the primary vessel. A Complex InspectionThe inspection required draining the 420 m3 sodium in the reactor until it was level with the tops of the subassemblies, performing the visual inspection of the reactor internals, core cover plug and the core instrumentation support grid using TV, and then returning the sodium level in the reactor to its normal level. The temperatures reached by the sodium and the cover gas of argon (180°C and 140°C respectively), and the increase in radiation due to reducing the level of sodium, requires the use of high-performance equipment, in particular a shielded, vacuum-shrouded periscope, to allow video equipment to be kept outside the reactor. As well as being technically complex, the inspection also involved managing numerous interfaces with the inspection teams, reactor internals and inspection equipment. A team of 28 qualified personnel from CTE-Nordtest, Intercontrôle, Visionic, a wholly owned subsidiary, and the Technical Center worked in three 8-hour shifts, 7 days a week for 26 days, with each member receiving three weeks' training beforehand. A Step Closer to a Restart Date for PhenixThe inspection met planned deadlines and its scope was extended beyond the initial objectives. It supported data from ultrasonic tests carried out by Novatome in 1999/2000 on the reactor support structures, internal core support structures and subassembly sodium-filled storage tank. A major step has been taken to bring the restart date for Phenix closer. Moreover, by harnessing the synergies within Framatome ANP, Novatome has proven its ability to carry out complex inspections.
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