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Longevity of nuclear power systems. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5322266
;
This study considers the feasibility of extending the life of existing nuclear power plants and concludes that power reactors should have useful service lives substantially in excess of the licensed 40 years from the date of the construction permit. The technical areas requiring attention from utilities and/or research and development by EPRI were reviewed. Utilities should begin now to study the applicability of life extension to their respective plants. Strategies to control fast neutron irradiation of reactor vessels should be implemented where necessary. Utilities should focus more strongly on improving plant reliability and availability, and properly documenting plant performance. They should provide for the availability of critical replacement and spare parts. Research on the performance, surveillance and repair of reactor pressure vessels should be continued. The possibility of establishing electrical cable lifetimes of 60 years or more in reactor service should be investigated. Generic methods of verifying and maintaining the continued integrity of concrete structures are needed. Techniques for maintaining and monitoring most other plant systems and components appear to be available. Finally, EPRI and the Department of Energy have initiated two plant specific projects at Virginia Power's Surry plant, a PWR, and at Northern States Power's Monticello plant, a BWR.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Inc., TN (USA)
OSTI ID:
5322266
Report Number(s):
EPRI-NP-4208; ON: TI85920799
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210100* -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Boiling Water Cooled
210200 -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled
BWR TYPE REACTORS
CONTAINERS
COST
ECONOMICS
EPRI
LICENSING
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
PERFORMANCE
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
POWER GENERATION
POWER PLANTS
PRESSURE VESSELS
PWR TYPE REACTORS
RADIATION EFFECTS
REACTOR LICENSING
REACTOR VESSELS
REACTORS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SERVICE LIFE
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS