AREVA NP to inspect Arkansas nuclear plant's Unit 1 reactor health

AREVA NP recently said it will conduct scheduled inspections at the Arkansas Nuclear One (ANO) power plant in Russellville, Arkansas, on behalf of Entergy Nuclear, evaluating the reactor pressure vessel internals in the plant’s Unit 1.

"With AREVA’s NDE (non-destructive examination) technology and expertise, Entergy can efficiently assess the integrity of its components for safe, long-term reactor operations,” AREVA Installed Base Services Senior Vice President George Beam said. “Our team’s know-how and dedication to operational excellence play a significant role in helping Entergy maintain and extend the life of this important power facility."

The inspections, which are scheduled for this fall, will allow Entergy to evaluate Unit 1’s management programs and determine whether they are still effective as they age. The inspections also will help the facility maintain long-term equipment safety, performance and reliability, ensuring that the unit can continue, with ANO’s other reactor, to supply 60 percent of the energy delivered to Entergy’s Arkansas customers.

To conduct the inspections, AREVA plans to use measures such as ultrasonic and visual examinations, among other non-destructive examination techniques.