May 12, 2022 – Framatome was recently awarded a contract to perform a specialized reactor vessel mitigation technique on four nuclear plants in the United States. The process, called cavitation peening, extends the life of the reactor vessel by protecting against corrosion.
Cavitation peening is a surface mitigation solution capable of preventing corrosion crack initiation without harming any components. Framatome's innovative process operates at a higher pressure and includes parameters that achieve a greater depth of compression and allows for a more efficient overall implementation schedule.
“Nuclear plant operators can clearly see the value in using cavitation peening to protect a plant’s reactor vessel and ensure long-term operations,” said Catherine Cornand, senior executive vice president of Framatome’s Installed Base Business Unit. “Framatome succeeded in winning this award thanks to our team’s leveraged experience in this cost-saving technology. We look forward to implementing this proactive mitigation strategy to help our customers continue to safely operate existing plants for reliable, low carbon energy generation.”
Unlike other surface improvement techniques, Framatome’s unique solution implements the peening process without removing or modifying thermal sleeves. This enables the team to perform the procedure more safely and efficiently.
This project will mark Framatome’s seventh deployment of reactor vessel head peening since 2016. Preemptive head peening projects enable nuclear plants to be shut down for shorter timeframes when compared to a replacement or repair.
Framatome was awarded the contract for the four units at the end of 2021. The projects will be completed throughout 2022 and 2023.
Framatome operator prepares cavitation peening equipment