Platform for nuclear reactor refurbishment

Montreal-based AGF Access Group has been awarded a sub-contract by Aecon to fabricate two customised Winsafe upper feeder platforms for the Bruce Power’s Major Component Replacement (MCR), a project that involves the refurbishment of six nuclear reactor units.  The two suspended platforms, based on a modular concept, will be used to provide access inside the reactor vaults.

The MCR Project begins in January and is part of Bruce Power’s Life Extension Program, which started in 2016 and will enable the electricity supplier to operate safely through to 2064. The Winsafe work platforms will be used during the refurbishment of the primary heat transport systems located in the reactor.

“We are becoming well known for our access ingenuity and experience within the nuclear industry,” said Alex Di Domenico, vice president of Major Projects, AAG. “Our relationship with Bruce Power, Hatch and Aecon has evolved over the years, and we have successfully expanded our contract to be an even more experienced fabricator for the nuclear application.”

The two platforms, suspended from existing structures, will provide support for the replacement of the upper feeder tubes and associated components within the space-limited reactor core.

Measuring roughly 60ft in length and 30ft wide, each platform has the capacity to support multiple workers and their tools while they manoeuvre and fit up the tight and exacting tolerances for work with the heavy feeder tubes.

“Our unique approach for the nuclear industry is to provide a design concept that allows workers to quickly put together the feeder platforms without struggling with nuts and bolts while wearing their protective gear,” said Emmanuel Piec, General Manager, Winsafe. “By making the platform modular and almost tool-free, they can quickly assemble it into place in a constricted space both safely and accurately.”

Bruce Power produces 30% of Ontario’s electricity at 30% less than the average cost to generate residential power. The company’s Life-Extension Program will add approximately 30 to 35 years of operational life to each of the units while creating 22,000 direct and indirect jobs annually.

Delivery of the Winsafe platforms is scheduled for the end of February 2020.