Under the contract, Areva will implement cavitation peening process on the reactor vessel closure heads of Exelon’s Byron and Braidwood nuclear power plants, both located in Illinois, US.
The cavitation peening process can enhance material properties and resistance to corrosion.
The process, which can be applied to components of both boiling water and pressurized water reactors, can also eliminate many causes of aging.
Areva Reactors & Services Business Group executive vice-president Philippe Samama said: "Developed as part of AREVA’s Forward Alliance program, this technology offers utilities an economical and innovative solution to reinforce the safety of nuclear components and to extend the lifetime of their operations."
Byron nuclear power plant is located near Byron in northern Illinois, approximately 110 miles west of Chicago, while the Braidwood nuclear facility is located in northeastern Illinois, about 60 miles southwest of Chicago in Will County.
