There is growing concern about the effects of the recent German energy crisis on the economy, private households, and the broader European power grid. As such, the German government faces increasing pressure to address the crisis.
A key challenge is a deficiency of electric energy in the power distribution grid. This shortage has been caused by a range of factors, including the closure of numerous nuclear power plants (NPPs) in the country, which has reduced the energy supply.
In response, the German government agreed to prolong the operation of the remaining NPPs in their regular service until April 2023 at the earliest.
Extending Isar 2’s Energy Production
One of the remaining NPPs is Preussen Elektra’s Isar 2. Isar 2 is a 1450 MWe pressurized water power reactor that faces a shortage of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) seals. These seals are among the most important parts of an NPP as they stop pressurized water from leaking into the environment.
Thanks to the longstanding relationship with and expertise in the nuclear industry, Technetics developed a custom solution for Preussen Elektra.
The NPP required a supply of RPV seals, O-rings, and 195″/190″ diameter silver-electroplated seals made of Inconel 718. One set of RPV O-rings was manufactured and arrived at Isar 2 before the end of 2022.
The engineering process, including source inspection and airfreight from Atlanta, USA, to Frankfurt, Germany, and onward to Bavaria, was administered with great care to ensure timely delivery.
How RPV Seals Aid in Providing Energy to Germany
Creating the RPV seals for Isar 2 was flawlessly executed to accommodate Preussen Elektra’s requirements.
Firstly, the source inspection at TG Columbia was completed adequately, and the shipping approval was acquired as planned. Technetics then worked with Isar 2 to ensure the solution arrived during a scheduled outage.
Such outages occur every 12 to 18 months. They are a standard procedure for pressurized water nuclear power reactors to restructure nuclear fuel bundles inside the reactor and ensure fuel is burned off equally, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs.
The RPV seals arrived punctually and were installed without issue or unplanned downtime, and as such, the entire process could be carried out with accuracy and efficacy.
As a result, the RPV seals were installed successfully, enabling Isar 2 to recommence normal operations without any further disruptions to the German energy supply.
The effective installation of the RPV seals helped avoid further disruptions to the German energy supply and ensured the safety of the Isar 2 NPP.
Image Credit: Technetics Group
Such solutions are vital to keeping NPPs operational. Technetics' expertise in developing and producing high-performance sealing and component solutions provides a viable solution that addresses the shortage of spare parts and helps to prevent disruption.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Technetics Group.
For more information on this source, please visit Technetics Group.