Just ask our utility customers! Seven U.S. nuclear utilities were recognized at the Nuclear Energy Assembly, May 22-24, in Scottsdale, Ariz., with the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Top Innovative Practice (TIP) awards. And three of those winners used AREVA NP’s innovative technology to get the job done!
Bring on the pressure
Exelon was recognized for application of AREVA NP’s ultra-high pressure (UHP) cavitation peening at its Byron and Braidwood generating stations – the first ever application of this technique on in-service reactor vessel heads in the world. Ultra-high pressure cavitation peening helps stop primary water stress corrosion cracking in Alloy 600 – a material found in certain nuclear plant components. Exelon and AREVA NP collaboratively developed this first-of-a-kind process.
Going off axis
Duke Energy won its award using AREVA NP’s phased array ultrasonic testing technique at the Brunswick Nuclear Plant. Duke Energy and AREVA NP successfully completed a first-of-a-kind examination for intergranular stress corrosion cracking off-axis flaws on a boiling water reactor (BWR) pressure vessel. AREVA NP’s approach paired a phased array technique with a specialized multi-axis manipulator tool capable of inspecting all vertical and horizontal welds in a pressure vessel. Before Duke Energy and AREVA NP developed this unique solution, a fully demonstrated and documented method for off-axis flaw detection and characterization did not exist!
Getting unstuck
AREVA NP presented its Vendor Award to Entergy’s Waterford 3 Steam Electric Station. The award recognizes the plant’s innovative approach to repairing a stuck circulating water pump discharge isolation valve. The project team developed a process with first-of-a-kind tooling that kept the plant online and implemented a full repair to the plant component.
A winning record
Since NEI established the Top Innovative Practice awards in 1993, utilities using AREVA NP technology have been recognized with both process and vendor awards, as well as at least five B. Ralph Sylvia “Best of the Best” awards. Click on the dates below for a look at AREVA’s involvement with award-winning projects over the years:
2017
2016 – Top Innovative Practice
2015
2014 – Best of the Best
2013 – Best of the Best
2012 – Best of the Best
2011 – Best of the Best2010 – Best of the Best
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
20042003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
* Note: For entries before 2004, AREVA was formerly named Framatome ANP / Framatome Technologies.
Before and after surface mitigation with ultra-high pressure cavitation peening
TIP award winners from Exelon for UHP cavitation peening
AREVA NP mock of BWR core shroud and jet pump assemblies for off-axis flaw examination
TIP award winner from Duke Energy for phased array UT of off-axis flaws in BWR pressure vessel
Innovative tooling for repair of stuck circulating water pump discharge isolation valve
Winners of the AREVA Vendor TIP award from Entergy for innovative tooling for stuck valve repair
AREVA NP CEO Gary Mignogna recognizes Entergy’s Waterford 3 with AREVA Vendor Award
AREVA is proud to recognize the 2017 Top Innovative Practice award winners
