Framatome recently launched a suite of new protective coatings approved for use in plant applications that reduce maintenance costs and extend the operating life of components and equipment across the energy sector, including in nuclear power plants.
QuarTecTM coatings minimize the adherence of radiological contaminants to the surface of components and equipment while also reducing the accumulation of aquatic growth common in underwater environments without affecting plant chemistry systems. This advanced quartz hydrophobic technology makes the components and equipment easier to maintain and less costly to clean.
“Recognizing industry needs, our Framatome team researches and develops new technologies that help our customers save time and money,” said Catherine Cornand, senior executive vice president of the Installed Base Business Unit at Framatome. “With QuarTec, Framatome brings an important innovation to the market. We are resolute in our mission to help operators improve the efficiency of their assets and reduce maintenance costs while ensuring the highest level of safety.”
Successful applications at U.S. nuclear plants
Framatome recently signed a contract with U.S. utility Dominion Energy to complete the industry’s first application of the QuarTec solution to address biofouling concerns associated with the emergency service water pump at the Surry Power Station. This pump provides cooling water from the James River to essential plant heat exchangers; coating the pump will reduce operating and maintenance costs for this water system. The coated pump was placed in service at Surry in early 2019, with additional service water components currently being coated to address aquatic growth issues.
Framatome tested the QuarTec protective hydrophobic coatings during the spring 2018 outage in an operating nuclear power plant in the U.S. and received confirmation of their capabilities through third party validations over the past three years.
Dominion’s Surry Power Station in southeastern Virginia is home to two 800-megawatt pressurized water reactors that generate enough electricity to power 420,000 homes.