SAFETY measures at a French nuclear reprocessing plant about 35 miles off Jersey’s coast have been deemed insufficient against the risk of explosion. The Areva plant at La Hague was given an impromptu inspection by the French nuclear safety authority ASN which found that the protection against explosions was not up to scratch and that back-up scans could not be completed in the one hour 36 minutes needed to comply with safety standards. According to ASN, the condition of one of the gas parks – known as T3 – is ‘unsatisfactory’ and operating valves of the gas station have been found in a state of ‘generalised corrosion’.
Jersey Evening Post 15th Sept 2017 read more »
EDF announced on Thursday that it had verified twelve nuclear reactors without finding safety problems related to anomalies in the manufacturing files of parts of the Areva factory Creusot. These checks, which must cover all 58 reactors in EDF’s nuclear fleet, were requested by the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) after numerous irregularities were detected for years at the Creusot Forge plant d Areva, which manufactures nuclear equipment. For the time being, EDF has sent the ASN twelve synthesis files concerning each reactor: Chooz 2, Paluel 4, Saint-Laurent 2, Penly 1, Cruas 3, Dampierre 3, Belleville 2, Tricastin 3, Chinon B3, Nogent 1, Gravelines 2 and Bugey 3. These files concern a total of 309 components, according to a balance sheet published by the operator. They show “471 anomaly records” (a piece that does not conform to a contractual or regulatory requirement) and “130 non-conformity cards” (failure to comply with an internal manufacturer’s requirement). But “the analysis of the findings (…) shows that none is likely to call into question the suitability for the safe operation of the components concerned,” EDF said in a statement. The findings concern half the heat treatment of the parts at the time of their manufacture. Other problems include, for example, chemical values or mechanical tests.
Bourse Direct 14th Sept 2017 read more »
Corporate restructuring of the French nuclear sector is “on track and major milestones have been successfully achieved”, Bernard Fontana, CEO of French engineering company Areva NP, said yesterday. These milestones include re-focusing Areva NP on its core business since July 2016 and the ongoing transfer of the company’s assets to a “financially sound and cash-generating” subsidiary, namely New NP.
World Nuclear News 15th Sept 2017 read more »
