French utility EDF has given information to nuclear regulator ASN about previously unknown deviations in manufacturing documentation of nuclear components made by Areva-owned foundry Creusot Forge, an ASN spokeswoman said. Confirming a report in Platts, the spokeswoman told Reuters that no further information was available about the nature of these deviations. Platts reported on Wednesday that a new batch of files that the ASN has received from EDF on nuclear parts manufactured by Creusot Forge “reveal deviations that were not known”.
Reuters 23rd Aug 2017 read more »
[Machine Translation] EDF said Thursday it had reported to the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) new anomalies identified in files concerning parts manufactured at Areva du Creusot. To date, the electrician has sent nine synthesis files to the ASN as part of the examination of the manufacture of equipment from Le Creusot installed on its operating reactors. “These files highlight new discrepancies identified in the manufacturing files,” said EDF in a statement sent to AFP. “The analysis of these discrepancies shows that none of them is likely to call into question the suitability of the equipment concerned for safe operation,” said the group, which confirmed its nuclear production target for the year. The operation of the Areva plant in Creusot, Saône-et-Loire, was marked by numerous irregularities for years, according to the ASN. Production was interrupted in 2016 and has just resumed at the end of July for the manufacture of an element for the future Hinkley Point nuclear power plant in England. The ASN must still authorize the production of parts intended for France. The nuclear gendarme had asked EDF to examine the components from the Le Creusot plant installed on its reactors by the end of next year. This analysis gives rise for each reactor to the drafting of a summary file which is transmitted to the ASN.
Romandie 24th Aug 2017 read more »