Bruce Power presents its Major Component Replacement(MCR) project, meeting deadlines ahead of schedule and in the modernization of Ontario’s power system. Unit 3 reactor removal was completed safely and ahead of schedule.
Ontario’s nuclear refurbishment project
The project has benefited from the experience accumulated during the removal of the Unit 6 reactor, taking advantage of technological innovations and lessons learned. The completion of the calandria tube removal took place on July 26 and set a new record in CANDU reactor refurbishment, being completed 11 days ahead of schedule.
Laurent Seigle, Executive Vice President of Projects, highlighted the team’s exceptional performance in achieving safety, quality and schedule targets at Unit 3. He also mentioned that each successive outage at the MCR provides an opportunity to improve and optimize the process, ensuring that the units are returned to service safely and efficiently to meet Ontario’s growing clean energy needs.
The Unit 3 refurbishment is the second of six upgrade initiatives that aim to extend the plant’s operating life to 2064, ensuring a steady and reliable supply of clean energy for the people of Ontario.
This effort supports the economic growth and electrification of the province, as well as the production of medical isotopes for the global fight against cancer. Throughout the process, it is estimated that the Life Extension Program and MCR will generate $10 billion in direct and indirect economic benefits through the acquisition of equipment, supplies, materials and jobs.
Unit 3 reactor removal
The project has involved the collaboration of Shoreline Power Group(SPG), a joint venture between Aecon, AtkinsRéalis and United Engineers & Constructors, and ATS Industrial Automation. Over approximately nine months, feed pipes, pressure tubes, calandria tubes and other critical internal components have been removed from the Unit 3 reactor. These actions are preparatory to the installation of new parts that will extend the reactor’s life by another 40 years.
MCR’s vice president of execution, Rob Hoare, praised the tool performance team of highly skilled experts who have been instrumental in troubleshooting and delivering results. The experience gained in Unit 6 has led to a better understanding and optimization of the tools used in these complex processes.
As the removal phase is completed, the Shoreline Power Group team will begin the installation of new six-axis robotic tools, which will be used in the inspection and installation of reactors. This process includes the replacement of 960 feed tubes, 480 fuel channels and 480 calandria tubes. In addition, this work is expected to support about 1,500 direct and indirect jobs in Ontario over the next 15 years.
Miroslav Kafedzhiev, president of ATS Industrial Automation, said the upcoming series of inspections will mark a historic milestone, marking the first time an industrial robot will be used in the refurbishment of a CANDU reactor worldwide. ATS has been involved in the design and manufacture of automated tooling systems, which will enable workers to improve their performance in inspecting and cleaning reactor components.
Unit 3 inspection series. Source: Bruce Power
Finally, Bruce Power is preparing to start the renovation of Unit 4 in 2025, with plans to upgrade Units 5, 7 and 8 in the next decade. Laurent Seigle mentioned the importance of teamwork and the nuclear ecosystem. nuclear ecosystem that has made this achievement possible, expressing his pride in the team and his enthusiasm to continue to execute these projects safely.
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Source and photo: Bruce Power
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