ASSESSMENT OF EMBALSE NPP CONTAINMENT IN-SERVICE EXAMINATION AND TESTING AGAINST CANADIAN STANDARDS AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES

摘要

Assessment of the Embalse Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) against current standards was performed by Candu Energy and included an assessment of the in-service examination and testing of the Embalse containment structure against Standard CSA N287.7-08 "In-Service Examination and Testing Requirements for Concrete Containment Structures for CANDU Nuclear Power Plants". CSA N287.7-08 requires integrity of the post-tensioning system used as principal reinforcement of the containment structure to be evaluated periodically, which is in line with the requirements of other standards (e.g. ASME and European) as well as IAEA safety guidelines. Results of the assessment have indicated that an in-service examination program for the Embalse Reactor Building (RB) containment structure does exist. Leak Rate Tests (LRT) and visual inspections of the internal surface of the RB wall are performed with established frequencies. However, evaluating the integrity of the RB post-tensioning system is challenging.