Nuclear

SNC-Lavalin gets fuel channel inspection contract at Bruce Nuclear

SNC-Lavalin gets fuel channel inspection contract at Bruce Nuclear
SNC-Lavalin awarded $22 million fuel channel inspection contract at Bruce Power (Source: CNW Group/SNC-Lavalin).

Candu Energy Inc., under SNC-Lavalin Group, was awarded a three-and-a-half year, C$22 million ($17.32 million) contract to perform advanced non-destructive examination (ANDE) and associated maintenance of fuel channels for the CANDU heavy water reactors at Bruce Nuclear Generating Station.

The ANDE tooling system performs ultrasonic inspections in a wet, defueled channel. It takes seven to eight hours to process each channel, according to Bruce Power. This ultrasonic testing measures for flaws, channel diameter, wall thickness, sag and pressure tube to calandria tube gap, and also located garter springs. This is used to verify physical integrity of the tube and to help prolong the health of the reactor core.

This is the latest announcement regarding maintenance at Bruce Power in Ontario, Canada. In January, we reported that SNC-Lavalin, along with Aecon Group Inc. and United Engineers & Constructors Inc. were awarded a fuel channel and feeder replacement contract for Bruce Unit 3. The contract is worth more than C$393 million ($310 million). Aecon holds a 55% share in the project, SNC-Lavalin has a 30% share and United Engineers & Constructors holds 15%.

For that job, the work involves modernizing reactor-related components – 480 fuel channels and calandria tubes, 960 end fittings and 980 feeder pipes. The partners will also be responsible for operations, robotics and employee management and training. Planning is expected to start in conjunction with a scheduled outage at the nuclear station in early 2022, with a project completion target of 2026.

SNC-Lavalin has been performing fuel channel inspections for Bruce Power for more than six years.

“Bruce Power and SNC-Lavalin have a long history of collaboration to ensure that nuclear safety remains paramount as we deliver clean, reliable power to Ontario homes and businesses for the long term,” said Gary Newman, Bruce Power’s Chief Engineer & Senior Vice President, Engineering.

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