|
|
|
|
|
The eBearing News
December 19, 2005
France Replacing
Reactor Cooling Pump Bearings
copyright © 2005 eBearing Inc.
Electricite de France S.A. (EdF
www.edf.fr
) announced an emergency program to replace all of the bearings in
its nuclear reactor backup cooling pumps. 30 of the 34 total 900 megawatt reactors across
the country are affected.
In tests, the EdF found bearings in the backup cooling pumps, which are used in the case
of an emergency or failure of the primary pumps, failed after only a few hours.
After discovering the bearing failures during regular tests, EdF reported it to the French Nuclear
Safety Authority. The bearing replacement was identified as a "level two common cause" situation, and
immediate steps began to address the problem.
EdF stressed there has never been such an incident requiring the backup cooling pumps, and that
there are still other backup cooling options available, should they be needed before the bearings
can be replaced.
All of the backup cooling pump motor bearings are scheduled to be replaced by April 2006.
click to see the animated nuclear plant, showing pump locations
[flash animation]
France first embraced nuclear power in 1956, with 300MW generators. Today, the country
meets over 80% of its electrical power needs by employing 58 reactors at
19 different sites. Most are pressurized water reactors. There are 34 of the 900MW reactors,
20 of the 1,300MW reactors, and four new 1,450MW reactors.
|
|
|
printer-friendly version
|
|
- by Bruce A. Carr
from individual research,
tips and commercial sources.
Bruce Carr edited this content.
Copyrighted material; unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
|
|
eBearing.com ... for everything that moves™
Copyright 1999-2011, eBearing Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright information is on www.copyright.com
Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
eBearing Inc, eBearing.com, and "... for everything that moves" are registered
trademarks of eBearing Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
eBearing.com ... for everything that moves™
Entire contents Copyright © 1999-2011, eBearing Inc. All rights reserved.
eBearing.com and "... for everything that moves" are registered trademarks of eBearing Inc.
|
|
|
