Best Practices in the Refurbishment of Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors

Presents some highlights of past and ongoing pressurized heavy water reactor refurbishment projects. The publication summarizes the lessons learned and knowledge gained. It is intended to be of use to operators and other stakeholders embarking upon a PHWR facility refurbishment project.

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Continued and increasing demand for safe, clean, reliable, and cost-effective electricity generation is a strong driver to extend the operating lives of nuclear power plants (NPPs). The life of an NPP can be extended for several decades through refurbishment, which involves modernizing and enhancing major equipment and systems to support long term operation. Refurbishing a facility through component upgrades and modifications also provides opportunities to enhance plant safety and reliability. This publication presents some highlights of past and ongoing pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) refurbishment projects. It summarizes the lessons learned and knowledge gained. It is intended to be of use to operators and other stakeholders embarking upon a PHWR facility refurbishment project.