Inspection program for Embalse Nuclear Generating Station

Embalse Nuclear Generating Station (ENGS), a CANDU 6 type with 648 MWe output, started operating in 1983. In the last 10 years it has shown an excellent performance with an average 88.25 % capacity factor. In order to maintain the safety and operation levels at economically convenient levels, an efficient management of the effects of aging of Critical Systems, Structures and Components is required. In this regard, Nucleoelectrica Argentina S.A.-ENGS's operator- has initiated a Plant Life Management (PLiM) program focused on reaching its design life and establishing the requirements for its life extension. Within the framework of this program, a series of reviews of the existing Operation and Maintenance programs is scheduled with the aim of establishing the bases for potential life extension. A work team has been designated to this effect and the team has received training in the PLiM methodologies by AECL. In this paper an analysis of the Inspection Program for ENGS is presented. Also, the areas to be reinforced for the Systems, Structures and Components identified as critical are identified based on the SAM (Systematic Assessment of Maintenance) methodologies. The ENGS Engineering Procedures form the basis for the inspection program along with the records of the inspections performed. The inspection program will be the object of analysis, as the starting point of the PLiM of ENGS. There are also other programs, for example those for preventive / predictive maintenance, routine testing, which focus on maintaining a high reliability of the safety as well as the process systems. All plant systems are taken into account with a list of inspections based on recommendations by the plant designer (AECL). It is continuously modified according to the results thereof and the experience of other plants, and revised within the framework of the SAM of the most important systems. Within this program, the ENGS chemistry laboratory and CNEA's (Comision Nacional Energia Atomica) Corrosion, Materials and Chemistry team also periodically analyze coupons in the autoclaves to verify the behaviour of the PHTS (Primary Heat Transport System) materials. Finally, there are certain inspections that arise from recommendations by the specialists on some systems, such as Moderator, and components like the Steam Generators, the Main Condenser, transformers and the motors of pumps. All these activities provide a relevant background for the PLiM. It is still necessary to review and update these programs to enable an early detection of the aging effects. This will be performed by applying the methodologies for the Systematic Assessment of Maintenance (SAM). These are also addressed in the paper. (author)