Nuclear: The final series of tests will start at the Flamanville EPR
Through John Lavalle
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early July 2022, the last series of overall tests of the Flamanville EPR reactor (Manche) was started. You must make it possible to obtain from the Nuclear Safety AgencyPermission to refuel in the second quarter of 2023.
The latest sizing tests
Almost 300 people will be mobilized for these activities for several months. “The final dimensioning tests,” assures the site management. Source switching and source loss tests have already been carried out.
They made it possible to test all the electrical defenses in the most restrictive configurations and to test the ability of the reactor’s reserve equipment to function in the event of damage through extreme and very hypothetical scenarios.
200 systems to test
That four main dieselswho are to take over themselves in the event of a failure of the reactor’s electrical sources were therefore called upon.
In addition, tests on a first main generator upstream to check trouble-free operation for a week.
That full pool tests started in July and lasts until October. They consist of filling the reactor building basin with borated water, a first on the Flamanville site.
For this purpose, loading and unloading tests are carried out with fuel in all possible configurations.
A Toupee assembly are transferred to the reactor core, in particular from the storage pool of the fuel building, first under automatic and then manual conditions.
The “big piece” in early 2023
The bulk of these tests, the general requalification tests, should start early next year.
Their goal is to re-qualify the facility after the welds of the secondary main circuit are brought back into conformity.
“During these tests, the EPR teams bring the plant as close as possible to normal operating conditions in terms of temperature and pressure,” specifies EDF.
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