Bruce (Image: Framatome)
As part of the contract, Framatome will provide an enhanced digital upgrade to the existing analogue primary heat transport, feed bleed and relief system. The upgraded system will provide stable reactor pressure control during normal steady state and transient conditions.
For this important system, Bruce selected Framatome to provide the proven commercial Tricon programmable logic controller technology. This platform has more than a billion hours of operation without failure on demand providing enhanced safety and high plant availability.
Framatome said this latest contract builds on successful digital system upgrade projects implemented at Bruce units 1, 2 and 6, and that are currently in progress at units 3 and 4. These digital system upgrades are part of the larger Bruce Power major component replacement (MCR) programme underway to extend the life of its nuclear fleet.
"Framatome is excited to continue the successful implementations of digital system upgrades to support Bruce Power's MCR programme and their investment in the future of clean energy for Ontario," said Frédéric Lelièvre, Senior Executive Vice President, Sales, Regional Platforms and Instrumentation and Control Business Unit at Framatome. "Our local experts in Kincardine, Pickering, and Montreal have deep roots in Canada and will continue to provide the best solutions and expertise to support the Bruce fleet now and well into the future."
Bruce Power Vice-President of Supply Chain David Furr added: "Bruce Power is pleased to continue its strong partnership with Framatome and the upgrades to our digital systems will allow our units to continue to provide clean and reliable energy to the people of Ontario for decades to come."
As plants undergo licence renewals to extend their operation, the instrumentation and control (I&C) systems are among those that plant owners will be upgrading to operate an additional 20-30 years. The I&C system is part of the plant's central nervous system, providing operators with critical information on plant operation, allowing them to control various plant safety systems during routine operations, and automatically protects the reactor if needed.
Units 5, 7 and 8 will be the last three Candu units at the Bruce site to undergo MCR - a refurbishment process that involves removing and replacing key reactor components including steam generators, pressure tubes, calandria tubes and feeder tubes and adding 30-35 years to the reactor's operating life. In total, six units at the site are being refurbished to extend the life of the site to 2064.
