Introduction to Field Modifications in Nuclear Security
In the realm of nuclear security, maintaining and upgrading nuclear plant components is imperative to ensure optimal performance and safety. As components age, modifications become necessary to enhance accessibility for inspection or maintenance, address in-service degradation, repair damage, or fulfill other plant-specific requirements. BWXT Technologies, with its expertise in designing and providing field services for nuclear pressure vessel equipment, offers tailored solutions for field modifications that are optimized for efficient installation and long-term effectiveness.
Applications of BWXT's Field Modifications
The scope of BWXT's field modifications is broad and impactful. They encompass a variety of applications such as modifying openings, installing inspection ports and handholes (often without welding to the pressure boundary), installing Helicoils™ for thread repairs, incorporating Hydra-Nuts™, managing damaged or missing studs, and changing gasket materials. These modifications are crucial for maintaining the integrity and functionality of nuclear plant components over time.
Capability and Tools Utilized by BWXT
BWXT excels in bolt design and analysis, gasket selection, gasket seating design, gasket analysis, and seal-weld analysis acquired through extensive experience with gasketed and seal-welded openings exposed to pressures exceeding 3000 psi. The company employs various methods, including rule-based (ASME and PVRC methods) and numerical-based approaches using commercial Finite Element (FE) codes such as ANSYS® and ABAQUSTM. BWXT's capabilities span selecting gaskets for joint behavior, ASME Code design for gasketed joints/bolts, optimizing bolt assembly preloads for secure gasket seating, modeling non-linear gasket behavior, predicting joint rotation, and fatigue analysis of seal welds.
Conclusion
Overall, BWXT Technologies' field modifications stand out as a critical facet of nuclear security enhancement. By offering comprehensive solutions to address the evolving needs of nuclear power plants, BWXT ensures the operational efficacy, longevity, and safety of these facilities. Through their adept engineering services and commitment to excellence, BWXT plays a pivotal role in fortifying nuclear security infrastructure for the future.