Value Addition Initiatives for CANDU Reactor Operation Performance

Abstract

Recently, AMEC Nuclear PPA initiated projects for CANDU® station performance engineering with potentially high returns for the utilities. Optimization of instrument calibration interval from 1 to 3 years will reduce time commitments on the maintenance resources on top of financial savings ~$3,500 per instrument. Reactor thermal power uncertainty assessment shows the level of operation which is believed to have a conservative margin that can be used to increase power by up to 0.75%. In examining alternative means for controlling RIHT, physical modifications to the HP feed water heaters can be useful for partially recovering RIHT resulting in increased production by 10-12 MWe.