At Framatome, reducing workers’ exposure and inspection time while collecting precise, reliable data are areas where we’ve been constantly innovating. Our teams around the world work to integrate the latest technologies to support the nuclear industry’s current challenges. We picked a series of our latest innovations in robotics, digitalization and artificial intelligence: learn more about them.
Robotics for automated, efficient operations
Many weld inspections of the primary circuits are still done by physically moving the ultrasound transducers by hand on the weld surface requiring three or four operators for the inspection of one single weld. Yet, use of robots has been largely developed to support operations in harsh environments. Our teams have recently developed new automated, remote solutions to enhance safety, quality and performance.
Framatome developed Smart Trajectory, a modular and scalable system combining industrial robotic manipulators, NDT sensors and a user-friendly software, adapted to any kind of inspections and for all types of geometries and surfaces. With Smart Trajectory system, the efforts of the operators and their exposure to radiation are greatly reduced, while also achieving a significant reduction in inspection time, from one week to one day depending upon the application. These dose and time reductions maximize cost savings and increases quality of the data.
Smart Trajectory system
“A significant reduction in inspection time, from one week to one day depending upon the application.”
To meet the industry’s underwater examination needs, Framatome developed a series of solutions. SUSI, our Submarine System for Inspections, was developed fifteen years ago. Used at many nuclear plants, SUSI has benefitted from a large amount of operational experience and customer feedback, resulting in numerous adaptations and innovations. SUSI can be outfitted with a variety of tools including cameras, UT transducers, and FME retrieval tools. SUSI is the most stable delivery submarine system in our industry.
Susi Robot, a Submarine System for Inspections
Our Trans-World System (TWS) manipulator is another advanced underwater robot that completes PWR vessel UT examination in compliance with a wide range of global code demands. The TWS is a field-proven innovative manipulator designed for minimum vessel occupation time and has the longest history and experience for multiple reactor vessel configurations with record examination times. Framatome’s TWS also has the most complete range of pre-service inspection and global qualifications, including nozzle inner radius.
The focus of our customers has always been the reduction of NPP outage time and to avoid using the polar crane. To support these objectives, Framatome developed a smart, lightweight, and easy to set up manipulator system (Framatome Remote Automated Nozzle Inspection System - FRANIS) to perform the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) nozzle inspection. In combination with Framatome´s PRISUB system both the nozzle and the RPV welds can be inspected in parallel, and in record time. Meanwhile, other activities in the RPV are not blocked during inspections.
Digital radiographic testing for dosimetry optimization and security of supply
To anticipate film obsolescence and improve radiographic testing of thick parts, Framatome developed a digital solution using a Photon Counting Detector optimized for high energy applications. The strong sensitivity of this detector enables reduction of the exposure, while maintaining a constant image quality, by one of two methods: a reduced time of operation, or, by the use of alternative radiation sources such as X-tubes. This innovative digital radiographic testing solution allows real-time monitoring of inspection conditions, hence eliminating re-inspection. Additional benefits are obsolescence protections and reliability of supplies. Framatome Digital Radiographic Testing (RT) achieves the best image quality from the existing radiographic testing solutions.
The Digital Radiographic Testing solution
AI to support enhanced performance
Using artificial intelligence (AI) to process non-destructive testing data offers numerous advantages, for all technics as televisual, eddy current and ultrasonic inspections. It eliminates difficulties caused by the lighting conditions, the noisy surfaces, and complex structures by sending alerts in real time in the event of a potential anomaly. It also produces excellent results for the detection and characterization of surface and volumetric defects (cracks, scratches, porosity) on complex surfaces and geometries. FAIA, Framatome Artificial Intelligence Analysis, an in-house developed software, is today integrated into the inspection processes and it is based on the technology of «Deep Learning». Thus, we "trained" the software with a large amount of data to allow it to learn to identify defects or anomalies corresponding to our specific analysis needs. The benefits of our innovation are direct on reducing time of maintenance and construction operations. Furthermore, the risk inherent in human error is reduced while improving the safety conditions of operators involved in the nuclear fleet.
Framatome's pioneering innovations are not only transforming the nuclear industry but also setting new standards for future technologies. The company's commitment to reducing worker exposure, enhancing data precision, and improving inspection efficiency is driving the development of cutting-edge technologies in non-destructive testing, providing the nuclear industry with major levers for performance and safety.
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Non-destructive testing solutions developed by Framatome and its subsidiary Intercontrole.