Flexible Fuel Cycle Solutions

ATRIUM™ 10XM FOR BWR FUEL

Flawless operation. Higher capacity factors. Efficient fuel utilization. AREVA knows what BWR operators expect from their fuel and has invested the energy needed to provide customers with safe, reliable and dependable fuel. The ATRIUM™ 10XM advanced BWR fuel has been designed to improve both the fuel efficiency and operating flexibility required to meet power production needs. 

The superior performance of the ATRIUM™ 10XM design has already been demonstrated by reliable operation of more than 2000 fuel assemblies in European reactors since 2002 and is based on the proven supply and operation of over 20,000 ATRIUM™ 10x10 fuel assemblies. AREVA's refined manufacturing processes, such as our Lean Rod-to-Bundle Flow and Rigorous Foreign Material Exclusion Program, ensures that each ATRIUM™ 10XM fuel assembly meets specifications to the highest standards of control, accuracy and cleanliness. And due to its increased fuel mass and superior critical power performance, the ATRIUM™ 10XM design delivers significant fuel cycle cost savings in 18-month to 24-month cycles and uprate conditions while maintaining the proven reliability of the current ATRIUM™ 10 product line.

AREVA’s fixed incore detector system provides operators with the ability to enhance reactor operation through continuous, real-time monitoring of actual core conditions in B&W, Westinghouse, and Combustion Engineering pressurized water reactors with a simple and reliable monitoring system. Through 24-hour monitoring, operators re provided an on-line assessment of actual core safety limits with a real-time display. This increases the overall guidance available to operators and improves the ability to navigate transient conditions and to detect and diagnose core anomalies.

Compared to movable incore detector systems, which acquire only periodic “snapshot” power distributions, fixed incore detector systems, with full-time monitoring, can expand the allowable operating window and improve reactor operating margin. The continuous monitoring feature of the AREVA fixed incore system allows utilities to safely operate closer to reactor limits, providing a 10- to 15-percent increase in operating margin in some plants.

HARMONI™ ROD CLUSTER CONTROL ASSEMBLIES

AREVA Control Components Deliver Outstanding Performance
For more than 35 years, AREVA has been designing and fabricating control components for pressurized water reactors. Our long-life and wear-resistant designs are well-recognized for their outstanding operating performance in Babcock & Wilcox (B&W), Combustion Engineering (CE) and Westinghouse-type reactors. HARMONI™ replacement rod cluster control assemblies (RCCAs) are fully compatible with Westinghouse fuel and reactor mating components. In addition, AREVA engineering support can help meet utilities’ specific requirements.

Ion-Nitride Enhances Resistance to Wear 
Laboratory Testing
In the early stages of developing a wear-resistant RCCA, we performed sliding wear tests to determine the best wear treatment. These tests were conducted in the Frotteau Test Loop in France on Ion-Nitride tubes, Chrome Carbide-coated tubes, Armoloy-coated tubes (both 0.3 mils and 0.6 mils thickness) and uncoated stainless steel tubes. The tests confirmed that Ion-Nitride provided the best wear protection for both the RCCA and guide card, extending RCCA life

CORE MONITORING SYSTEMS

Unsurpassed and proven core monitoring flexibility.

Whether the plant is a BWR or PWR with fixed incore or moveable detectors, AREVA offers core monitoring solutions tailored to meet specific needs. AREVA's POWERPLEX-III system is available for demanding BWR core monitoring, including capabilities for on-line cladding stress monitoring. For PWRs, the POWERTRAXand the POWERTRAX system is available for both Westinghouse (W) and Combustion Engineering (CE) designed core monitoring, and the Fixed Incore Detector Monitoring System (FIDMS) is available for B&W core monitoring.

With more than 25 years of successful operation and experience in 18 BWRs, AREVA’s POWERPLEX system provides superior reliability and accuracy in core monitoring. The POWERPLEX Core Monitoring Software System (CMSS) enhances the operating efficiency of boiling water reactors (BWRs). AREVA developed POWERPLEX III to be the newest generation in this industry-leading monitoring system. POWERPLEX III is operating at 13 BWRs, and new installations are planned at several other BWRs. 

This has recently been upgraded with the option to monitor cladding stress with AREVA’s XEDOR methodology.

AREVA’s FIDMS core monitoring system continues in the tradition of our successful POWERPLEX system for BWRs and POWERTRAX system for PWRs. The FIDMS system is a comprehensive system designed to assist reactor personnel in performing core monitoring and other required reactor operational calculations. FIDMS provides the utility with automatic on-line core follow calculations that gives operators an instant assessment of real-time core safety limits. The system uses frequent on-line core follow calculations to track past and present plant operation and predict future requirements for full and partial power maneuvering along with required technical specification calculations for Shutdown Margin and Estimated Critical Conditions.