Operating and maintenance strategies for nuclear plant life extension

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5579893

Traiforos, S A; Rider, R L

This paper addresses some operating and maintenance strategies which, if implemented early in the life of a nuclear power plant, will not only establish the prerequisites for a long extended plant life but also improve short-term reliability and availability. Nuclear plant life extension (NPLE), i.e., the extension of nuclear plant operation past the licensing term, usually 40 yr, has gained substantial momentum in the US and abroad, mainly due to the high cost of new capacity. Based on preliminary conclusions of ongoing pilot studies, as well as aging research, it appears that extending plant life is feasible and a preferable alternative to new construction. In all discussed cases, enhanced monitoring and record keeping will be required to ensure an accurate loading history. The three parts of a comprehensive maintenance program are predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance. Needless to say, for all phases of plant maintenance, a high-quality assurance program will be required to ensure that maintenance actions are in compliance with established codes and standards as well as good engineering practice. Nuclear plant life extension will require the implementation of operating and maintenance strategies to mitigate and treat the aging of components, equipment, and structures. The implementation of such strategies will also improve short-term plant reliability and availability goals.

• OSTI ID: 5579893
• Report Number(s): CONF-870837-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 54
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210800* -- Nuclear Power Plants-- Economics
AGING
AVAILABILITY
FATIGUE
FUEL MANAGEMENT
MAINTENANCE
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
OPERATION
OPTIMIZATION
POWER PLANTS
QUALITY ASSURANCE
REACTOR MAINTENANCE
REACTOR OPERATION
REACTOR SHUTDOWN
REACTOR START-UP
RELIABILITY
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SERVICE LIFE
SHUTDOWNS
START-UP
THERMAL CYCLING
THERMAL POWER PLANTS