September-October 2017 NPJ

Nuclear Plant Journal, September-October 2017 NuclearPlantJournal.com 41 (Continued on page 42) all, after lowering the water level. We successfully deployed U-DEC in BWR plants and other high-radiation facilities in Sweden and the U.S. Typically, we are able to remove more than 90 percent of contamination during a single campaign, which renders a significant dose reduction for outage workers. While U-DEC is a tool that covers large areas, we employ other foreign material removal tools such as our DUST Debris Uptake Suction Tool to get to the hard-to-reach areas. DUST is a combined in-vessel camera and suction device that allows for immediate retrieval of foreign materials. Contaminated particles and items can be safely removed under water, which further reduces personnel dose exposure. DUST picks up anything from small fuel-damaging shavings to large items like nuts and bolts. We have used it successfully since 2011 in four BWRs in Sweden and Finland, and one PWR and one BWR in the U.S. We plan to introduce a modified version to PWRs in Belgium this year. 3. How has Westinghouse dealt with the economic pressure from the utilities to reduce cost and to optimize performance during plant outages? We are actively engaged in the industry strategic initiative, “Delivering theNuclear Promise ® ,” and are continually focused on making improvements to our processes and technologies to help our customers keep their plants performing efficiently for the long run. We believe that new technologies that drive improved performance and reliability are key to the industry’s success and our innovation work is primarily dedicated to developing practical, long-term solutions that deliver real customer value for operating plants. In addition, we are always focused on enhancing our ability to provide flawless services. Our long-term operation solutions are right-sized to be more practical, cost-effective and tailored. We have made numerous advancements in this area, including the application of technologies I’ve already mentioned — such as Zephyr and our baffle-former bolt analysis and replacement methodologies and techniques. Our MAXSUM™ core shroud inspections are another example — these inspections have resulted in industry records for weld coverage from the outer diameter surface and for examination times. Our continual focus on working more efficiently and effectively in the field has real results. For example, this spring, we set a station record for core offload activities and twice set new plant dose records for blind flange removal during refueling outages. We also deployed our LiveCAN™ state-of-the-art audio, video and data communications system at five different plants this spring. LiveCAN provides real-time, two-way linkage between outage project managers and workers inside the reactor building. It has been a great contributor to improving schedule predictability, foreign materials exclusion, and Human Performance and safety in the field. We have more exciting new technologies that will help us optimize our performance — such as hot wire laser welding — that are in the pipeline for deployment very soon. 4. What innovations have been implemented in the nondestructive examination services, in the last two years? Through WesDyne, our full- spectrum subsidiary that supplies state- of-the-art, non-destructive examination products and services and our world- class U.S.BWR Service Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee, we continue to bring innovations, including from other industries, into the nuclear field to support shorter, more cost-effective outages. Currently, we are featuring a new line of phased array and conventional ultrasonic inspection devices such as Mercury, Athena and PARAGON™ II to support both nuclear and non-nuclear customer and regulator needs. During the spring 2017 outage season, we deployed some of our latest technology to help a U.S. customer with their ultrasonic baffle-former bolt inspection. We successfully completed the baffle-former bolt ultrasonic inspection using WesDyne’s MIDAS-VI remotely operated submarine. In a first Baffle-former Bolt Work at Diablo Canyon Unit 1. Photo Courtesy of Josh Ernstrom, Pacific Gas & Electric Company.