Dealing with damages and the aging of operating PWR-type units

The author gives for each major component of a PWR-type reactor (the reactor vessel, the reactor containment, inside-vessel systems like guide tubes or support pins, steam generators, pressurizers, the primary cooling system, control and instrumentation systems and the electric wiring) the likely and expected damages faced during its in-service life and the adequate technological answers that have been brought by design or feedback experience. The author shows that there is no redhibitory defect that could prevent a PWR from having a safe operating life of at least 40 years. (A.C.)