AREVA delivers venting system to nuclear plant in Japan

AREVA announced Monday that it has successfully delivered filtered containment venting systems (FCVS) to the Hamaoka reactor facility in Japan.

The reactor unit, owned by Chubu Electric Power Co. (EPCO), has systems that feature three sets of filters. It is under review by the Japanese Nuclear Regulatory Authority.

“AREVA is proud to support Chubu EPCO to enhance the safety of its nuclear power plants. This is the 14th contract for FCVS in Japan, for both boiling and pressurized water reactors, consolidating our position as a leader for this technology,” Philippe Samama, senior executive vice president of AREVA’s Reactors & Services Business Group, said.

AREVA's FCVS have been approved by a majority of regulators in nuclear-generating countries. The company says they are designed to contain radioactive materials following an accident from a rise in internal pressure. These systems also facilitate the overall containment ability of a nuclear reactor.

The Hamaoka plant was shut down in May 2011 shortly after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster that forced nuclear power facilities to go offline across the country to improve their safety measures and the overall nuclear framework in Japan. Chubu has issued its application to restart its operations with the regulatory authority of Japan.