Nuclear power plants around the world are in need of a technical, cost-effective and permanent solution to the cracking of Alloy 600 nozzles on reactor vessel closure heads.
The best provider of this solution is Babcock & Wilcox Canada, not only the first company to win a US contract to manufacture a replacement reactor vessel closure head, but also the first to receive contracts to produce replacement heads for every type of nuclear reactor.
Why choose B&W Canada to supply your replacement heads?
- We use only Alloy 690 for the nozzles, to provide more uniformity and less potential for cracking in the future.
- Our manufacturing sequence is designed to minimize stress and distortion and reduce fit-up problems.Examples:
- - Our unique solution for welding nozzles (guide tubes) to the heads provides even heat distribution, thus reducing distortion and residual stress.
- - We electropolish select surfaces which will come in contact with reactor coolant to reduce residual stress. This step minimizes the chance of stress corrosion cracking and ensures long-term reliability of your reactor vessel closure head.
- We offer integrated solutions, such as an enhanced service structure design to minimize inspection time, improve outage schedules and reduce maintenance costs.
- We partner with other highly experienced companies to offer you pre-service inspections.
Innovation and customer service keep us in the lead
As a worldwide leader in the industry, we are currently developing a head that will not require regular nozzle weld inspections. This innovative design will save you critical outage time and money as well as minimize personnel radiation dose.
Look to us for innovation, value, technically superior products and an exceptional team ready to listen and work with you to meet all your needs including replacement reactor vessel closure heads.
Integrated facility in a convenient location
We are the only reactor vessel closure head supplier with engineering and manufacturing in one North American location. This reduces the time and risks associated with production of the heads. And, in our fully qualified facility, we can easily manufacture several heads at one time.
Key features of Babcock & Wilcox Canada replacement heads
- Form fit and function replacement design licensed in accordance with 10CRF50.59
- Alloy 690 used in nozzle (guide tube) manufacture
- Enhanced surface treatment to mitigate Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC)
- Fully automated j-groove welding
- Minimized j-groove weld volume to reduce welding residual stress
- Enhanced service structure design to minimize outage activities
- Precisely machined to match site as built configuration
- Pre-service inspection available
- Extensive R&D program
- Engineering & manufacturing in one North American location
RVCH experience list
Babcock & Wilcox Canada was the first company to win a US contract to produce a replacement reactor vessel closure head, and also the first to produce replacement heads for every type of nuclear reactor.
As the only supplier with engineering and manufacturing in one North American location, we offer the benefits of reduction in time and risks associated with production of the heads. And, in our fully qualified facility, we can easily manufacture several heads at one time.
|
Utility |
Plant |
No. of RVCHs |
Year of Award |
In Service Date |
| NMC/Consumers Energy | Palisades |
1 |
2005 | n/a - contract recently awarded |
| Baltimore Gas & Electric | Calvert Cliffs 1, 2 |
2 |
2002 | 2003 |
| Rochester Gas & Electric | Ginna |
1 |
2002 | 2003 |
| Duke Power Company | Oconee 1, 2, 3 |
3 |
2002 | 2003 |
