With over 30 years’ experience Phoenix ISL has an extensive range of systems designed specifically for the nuclear sector which, when combined with our solutions for the inspection of steam turbine and generators, means we can offer our customers a single source for equipment to inspect critical power plant components. Phoenix ISL supplies NDT inspection systems to utilities and inspection providers for the pre-service and in-service inspection of primary circuit components, from the reactor pressure vessel through to secondary coolant loop piping and has experience in the following nuclear reactor types:
- Pressurised Water Reactors (PWR, EPR)
- Boiling Water Reactors (BWR)
- Advanced Gas Cooled Reactors (AGR)
- Fusion Reactors (ITER)
Plant Specific Applications: PWR & EPR
Phoenix produces ultrasonic inspection systems and probes for the inspection of the nozzles, pipework and specific components found on the Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) and the Evolutionary Pressurised Reactor (EPR). Phoenix ISL has supplied inspection manipulators for many of the critical welds on the PWR:
Pressurised Water Reactor & Evolutionary Pressurised Reactor
| 1 | Reactor Pressure Vessel – inlet and outlet | TENIS & Maxi SAGE |
| 2 | Primary circuit – Branch nozzles and Nozzle to shell welds | SWIS |
| 3 | Pressuriser – spray nozzle | SIRUS |
| 4 | Pressuriser – surge line nozzle | APSIS |
| 5 | Steam generator hot and cold leg nozzles | Maxi SAGE |
| 6,7 | Secondary circuit – Feedwater and main steam line welds | SAGE & EPSOM |
| 8 | Steam generator – Channel head to tube sheet weld | CHIM |
| 9 | Reactor head – Control rod drive mechanism (CDRM) housing | CISU |
| 10 | Reactor coolant pump – Flange bolt threads and Flywheel keyway | SIM |
Boiling Water Reactor – BWR
Primary Pipework Inspection
PET Scanner
Reactor pipework within a BWR is ferritic with a stainless steel internal cladding. The composite structure of the pipework means that the integrity of the cladding needs to be monitored. As the parent pipe is ferritic, magnetic crawlers can be used for scanning. Phoenix ISL were commissioned by BKW of Switzerland to develop a system capable of scanning pipework from 4” up to 20” diameter around the full circumference of the straight sections of the pipework and the extrados on the bends. The design maximises the scanning achievable for minimalaccess to the reactor containment.
Robotic Inspection
Nozzle Inspect Robot
Phoenix ISL can develop new methods for the inspection of nuclear power plant and previous work has concentrated on the application of robotics to provide adaptable solutions to the inspection of nuclear components in fabrication,
pre-service and in-service inspection.
Programmes include work on NozzleInspect, a €1.4 Million EU funded research project, in conjunction with companies from five other European countries and TWI in the UK. Phoenix ISL have also had an EPSRC Engineering Doctorate programme with the Reseach centre for Non Destructive Evaluation (RCNDE), to develop autonomous vehicles and portable robotic arms. Phoenix ISL have supported a number of clients in the development of portable robotic inspection systems for the inspection of critical nuclear components.
ITER
ITER Reactor
Phoenix ISL were involved in the early stages of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor development programme, working with Fusion for Energy (F4E), Iberdrola and AMEC. Projects for the programme have been on the development of:
- Techniques for the inspection during manufacture of the First Wall Panel, the inner wall of the pressure vessel, which uses Hot Isostatic Pressed (HIP) joining of beryllium, copper alloys and stainless steel flat and tubular interfaces.
- Inspection techniques for the pressure vessel segment welds, in particular the splice joint site welds, where scanning access is restricted, and the proposed use of austenitic stainless steel narrow gap welds makes the inspection techniques more challenging.
AGR
Mission Critical Inspections
The Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) is a gas cooled reactor design used in the majority of the United Kingdom nuclear fleet. Phoenix have worked closely with the U.K. nuclear industry for many years producing bespoke systems for the inspection of AGR and Magnox stations.
Phoenix ISL have been called upon for mission critical inspections of the UK fleet where our experience and flexible approach, with a problem solving ethos have been recognised as vital to the success of the project.
To learn more about our Plant Specific Applications, click on the materials below:
Custom Design Solutions
Can’t find a solution that suits your nuclear power inspection requirements?
If our current solutions do not meet your exact requirements, we can modify an existing system or design a completely new customised solution for your needs, should the situation demand. Contact us with a brief outline of your NDT inspection requirements and we can provide an initial proposal for a solution that best suits your needs. Or call to discuss your nuclear power inspection requirements
Tel: +44 (0) 1925 826000