Vallourec’s subsidiary specialising in the production of tubes for nuclear power plants, Valinox Nucléaire, has been contracted by AREVA to manufacture tubes for eight steam generators that will equip two EDF 1,300MW reactors.
The two contracts form part of EDF’s programme, launched in 2011, to gradually replace the large components on its 1,300MW power plants. Valinox Nucléaire will supply 5,300 nickel alloy tubes for each steam generator: 42,400 tubes in total. The tubes will be made in 2016 and 2017 at its Montbard plant in Burgundy, the birthplace of Vallourec’s nuclear activities.
Photo courtesy of Groupe Vallourec
These tubes are the only interface between the primary and the secondary system in pressurized water reactors. The tubes have a wall thickness of 1mm and transfer heat from the reactor to the secondary loop in order to produce steam that drives a high power turbine that generates electricity. They are a safety critical part of the nuclear power plant and their quality has impact on the reactor’s efficiency.
Nicolas de Coignac, Senior Vice President Power and Pipe Project Sector, said: “These contracts, which consolidate our partnership with AREVA, illustrate, once again, the know-how and excellence of the French nuclear industry.”
