CUSTOMER:  BNFL Magnox Generation 

PROBLEM: The outage at Sizewell A to undertake reactor and boiler refurbishment was scheduled for just 20 days, halving the previous duration, and was the first outage under the three-year valve maintenance and overhaul contract awarded to Furmanite for the five nuclear power generating sites owned by BNFL Magnox Generation.

SOLUTION: At Sizewell A Furmanite’s role, working in the turbine house and boiler house, was to service and repair all the valves and associated parts, including condensers. 160 safety valves, main boiler stop valves and actuator-operating valves ranging in sizes from 6 inches to 16 inches were checked and 132 overhauled – involving stripping, lapping the valves, nozzles, discs and seats, re-assembling and testing.  Only one component had to be taken off-site for workshop repairs.

Under the company’s working agreement with BNFL Magnox Generation, Furmanite has helped to highlight and reinforce the benefits of the new approach, with Sizewell’s shortest ever outage being successfully completed on-schedule.

OUTCOME: Furmanite is now responsible for all outage and ad hoc valve repair services for the Magnox nuclear generating sites at Chapelcross, Dungeoness A, Oldbury, Sizewell A, and Wylfa, with potential work at the Bradwell and Hinkley Point A defuelling/ decommissioning sites.