Electrabel Must Prove Integrity Of Doel-3 And Tihange-2 RPVs, Says Regulator

8 May (NucNet): Before being allowed to restart the Doel-3 and Tihange-2 reactors, operator Electrabel needs to submit a safety case in which it “convincingly demonstrates” that the presence of hydrogen flakes in the walls of the reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) do not compromise structural integrity, Belgium’s Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (Fanc) said. Fanc and its technical subsidiary Bel V will review the safety case using the expertise of inspection organisation AIB Vincotte, an international review board, and an external research team. The safety case needs to look at ultrasonic inspection techniques used on the RPVs, material properties and structural integrity, Fanc said. The Doel-3 and Tihange-2 units were shut down in 2012 after the flaws were discovered in their RPVs. In June 2013 the units were restarted, but were shut down again in March 2014 after unexpected results from additional tests.