Areva NP has upgraded the refuelling machine and control system at Germany's 1410MW Isar 2 pressurised water reactor. The work was completed during the plant's outage in 2016 and was on schedule and on budget.

Areva NP has upgraded the refuelling machine and control system at Germany's 1410MW Isar 2 pressurised water reactor. The work was completed during the plant's outage in 2016, on schedule and on budget. 

The new system allows for faster loading, unloading and shuffling of fuel assemblies during outages. It also exceeds the specifications of the regulations set by the German Nuclear Safety Standards Commission (KTA), Areva said.

The deputy head of I&C at Isar 2 highlighted the benefits of the project: “The new refuelling machine control system will noticeably improve our processes during future outages and make them safer."

Areva NP has previously upgraded several refuelling machines in Germany and abroad including at Trillo in Spain and Emsland in Germany.


Photo: Reactor loading at Civaux 2 in France