Oskarshamn 3 was connected to the power grid in 1980. It has been providing approximately 10% of the electricity needs of Sweden, a trend that’s mostly increasing yearly.
Connected to the Sweden power grid in 1980, Oskarshamn 3 (OKG3) is a boiling water reactor (BWR) located 30 kilometers north of the city of Oskarshamn. Annually providing approximately 10% of the electricity needs of Sweden, OKG3 supplied more than 10,000 GWh of electricity in 2021 — a trend that’s mostly increasing yearly.
OKG3 places safety, maintenance, and preparation at the core of its nuclear power plant operations. In September 2022, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) completed a long-term operational safety review of OKG3 and found good practices and performances that were shared globally within the nuclear industry — posing them as an industry leader.
Of the inspection, the IAEA team leader and Nuclear Safety Officer, Martin Marchena, said, “The team observed that OKG is implementing preparations for safe Long Term Operations (LTO) in a timely manner and the staff at the plant are professional, open and receptive to suggestions for improvement.”
Where oversights and mistakes can have serious, widespread consequences, the nuclear industry is held to a higher standard of operation than others. Partnering with a trusted supplier that is an industry expert with customization capabilities is essential to ensuring minimal system failures.
Meeting Boiling Water Reactor Requirements with a Custom 260” RPV O-FLEX Metal O-Ring
Inside a commercial (BWR), unused steam is exhausted to a condenser, which is then condensed into water. The core reactor vessel, which serves heat to start the process, contains fuel assemblies that are cooled by light water.
To withstand the light water’s absorption of neutrons, the system uses enriched uranium — nearly 140 tonnes — as its nuclear fuel. The entire BWR contains between 370-800 fuel assemblies, and within these assemblies, a nuclear reactor pressure vessel (RPV) closure head seal is required for ultimate control and minimal leakage.
Clearly, this is a highly technical and specific industrial process that requires an equally tough and reliable seal. The custom-designed 260” RPV O-FLEX metal O-ring spare seals are made from high-strength Alloy 718 tubing — offering maximum strength, spring back, and resistance to radiation and corrosion — that is coiled, cut, and welded to size.
The base tubing is plated with pure (99.95%) silver, making this combo of elastic core (tubing) and a deformable plastic layer (silver) the most durable seal for RPVs.
Technetics Proud Partner in Helping OKG3 Supply Power Generation to Sweden
Working with OKG3 since 2021, Technetics will develop multiple custom 260” RPV O-FLEX metal O-ring spare seals by the 2023 year-end. We enthusiastically worked with OKG3 to ensure the utmost integrity and fine-tuning of all documentation, including providing multiple revisions of raw material and operational cost development quotes as changes arose.
By taking steps to purchase customized spare O-rings for its reactor vessel, OKG3 is continuing its commitment to safety and precautions. We’re proud to be an essential player in helping provide Oskarshamn 3 — and Sweden — with reliable power generation.
Technetics: Your Critical Solution Partner for the Nuclear Industry
Technetics adheres to your component designs with engineers that work closely with you from intake to installation to ensure the highest level of satisfaction. Our nuclear industry clients know they’re in good hands with our 50 years of expertise as a global leader in RPV seal design and manufacturing.
No matter the nuclear critical solution you require, we want to help you achieve enhanced performance and improved safety. Contact us today to get started!
Custom RPV Seals Help Extend German Nuclear Power Plant’s Operations.
CUSTOM RPV SEALS HELP EXTEND GERMAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT’S OPERATIONS
Many are concerned about the recent German energy crisis’s effects on the economy, private households, and the wider European power grid. As such, the German government is facing increasing pressure to address the crisis.
One of the main challenges is a shortage of electric energy in the power distribution grid. This shortage has been caused by several factors, including the closure of several nuclear power plants (NPPs) in the country, which has reduced the energy supply. In response, the German government agreed to extend the operation of the remaining NPPs in their regular service until at least April 2023.
As one of the remaining NPPs, Preussen Elektra’s Isar 2 is a 1450 MWe pressurized water nuclear power reactor facing a shortage of Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) seals, one of the most crucial parts of an NPP as they keep the pressurized water from leaking into the environment. Thanks to our longstanding relationship and expertise in the nuclear industry, we were able to develop a custom solution for PreussenElektra.
Requiring RPV seals, O-rings, and 195″/190″ diameter seals made of Inconel 718 and silver electroplated, we supplied one set of RPV O-rings that arrived at the NPP site before Christmas 2022. The manufacturing process, including source inspection and airfreight from Atlanta, GA, to Frankfurt, Germany, and onward to Bavaria, was managed with great care to ensure timely delivery.
Our process for creating the Isar 2 RPV seals was flawlessly executed to accommodate PreussenElektra’s requirements.
First, the source inspection at TG Columbia was completed satisfactorily, and the shipping approval was obtained as planned. Then, we worked with Isar 2 to ensure the solution arrived during their scheduled outage. These outages occur every 12-18 months and are a standard procedure for pressurized water nuclear power reactors to reorganize nuclear fuel bundles inside the reactor and ensure that all fuel is burned off equally, optimizing efficiency and reducing costs.
The RPV seals arrived on time and were installed with no issues or unplanned downtime, allowing the entire process to be carried out with precision and efficiency. As a result, the installation of the RPV seals was completed successfully, enabling the Isar 2 nuclear power plant to resume normal operations without any further disruptions to the German energy supply.
The successful installation of the RPV seals helped to prevent further disruptions to the German energy supply and ensure the safety of the Isar 2 nuclear power plant.
Solutions like these are crucial to keeping NPPs operational. Technetics’ expertise in manufacturing high-performance sealing and component solutions has provided a viable solution to address the shortage of spare parts and help prevent any further disruption.
As a trusted provider of custom nuclear seal solutions worldwide, we are committed to continuing our partnership with energy companies to provide reliable and high-performance sealing and component solutions for the nuclear industry.
Contact us today to learn more about our capabilities and how we can help you ensure the safety and efficiency of your nuclear power plant!
As a part of the nuclear power plant reactor, the O-ring must operate efficiently within a high-pressure, high-temperature environment and seal within radioactive settings. The O-ring seal must be replaced during routine maintenance every 18 months.
As a part of the nuclear power plant reactor, the O-ring must operate efficiently within a high-pressure, high-temperature environment and seal within radioactive settings. The O-ring seal must be replaced during routine maintenance every 18 months.
Internationally renowned and Korean-based, Doosan is a global and regional nuclear power plant (NPP) component leader. As the largest supplier in the industry, the company holds itself to the highest standards. Doosan’s plant specializes in large-scale components such as nuclear reactors and internal structures, steam generators, nuclear reactor coolant pumps, pressurizers, and more.
Given a recent increase in energy demand, Doosan required a quality and reliable O-ring sealing solution. Doosan identified Technetics’ RPV (Reactor Pressure Vessel) O-ring as the best solution for their existing NPP and for new and innovative projects in the future.
To learn more about Technetics sealing solutions, contact a Technetics Group specialist for a custom-engineered solution for your application.
Long-time Technetics Group nuclear power partner required a unique gasket and seal solution at a second storage site for spent nuclear fuel elements.
Long-time Technetics Group nuclear power partner required a unique gasket and seal solution at a second storage site for spent nuclear fuel elements.
Pinter Müvek in Kecel, Hungary, is the heavy equipment supplier to the government of Hungary. The Public Limited Company for Radioactive Waste Management (PURAM) fulfills a vital public service in Hungary. The company is responsible for the disposal of radioactive waste, interim storage, and interim storage of spent fuel elements.
The Paks Nuclear Power Plant required seal equipment for the medium-term storage site’s second-spent nuclear fuel assembly. The solutions required are unique. Each spent fuel assembly is stored separately in a steel tube using a primary and secondary lid.
Technetics has worked closely with the end user, PURAM, since the 1990s. The unique solution requires 5,700 pieces, including copper gaskets and HELICOFLEX® high-performance seals. The partnership is ongoing, and delivery will take place through November 2023. Technetics’ solutions seal the primary and secondary lids the same and revised the seal design. The copper gasket is used on the inner lid. For the outer lid, the HELICOFLEX® HN 290 creates the most reliable seal.
To learn more about Technetics sealing solutions, visit our website to contact a specialist for a custom-engineered solution for your application.
Learn why static seals play such a vital role in critical applications, including the space industry. Our Technetics engineers work directly with our customers to create the ideal sealing solution.
Key Takeaways:
Learn about the basics of metal seals and their importance in this training presented by, Technetics Group Design Engineers, Michael Shealy, and Steven Henning, as well as Senior Project Engineer, Jason Adams.
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