AVARIS. An innovative process to repair seal seat surfaces in gate and check valves

AREVA Valve Repair in situ - AVARIS in short - is an innovative process for valve repair developed by AREVA. Its main benefit is that valves no longer need to be cut out but can be machined in situ, i.e. within the piping system. AVARIS saves the plant operators time and money, as complete exchanges of valves and the ensuing complex measures become dispensable. AVARIS is of high interest in the worldwide maintenance market, as it can be applied in both nuclear and conventional power plants. Moreover, AVARIS retrofits valves in the secondary and primary circuit which even saves complex nuclear transports. AVARIS fulfills the quality requirements of 3. party authorities in national and international markets. Valves repaired with AVARIS correspond to their original condition with regard to the sealing function. The successful first application on 2 gate valves in a German nuclear power plant proves that this repair technology is very reliable and flexible. Follow-up orders for AVARIS will be realized in several nuclear power plants in 2011. (orig.)