Launched in September 2019, the hot test phase was officially completed on February 17, 2020. EDF agents and service providers were on the bridge to make this operation a success together. Among them, some Techno Pro employees. A look back at their activities during these RCTs.
For several months, the teams took turns working day and night to carry out these EACs. The purpose of this essential step was to test the operation of the reactor under conditions similar to those of operation. A new stage has been reached for the EPR and a real success for the teams involved.
« Some Techno Pro employees have contributed to this success and we are proud of it, says Éric Jounot, Techno Pro Business Manager. We would like to congratulate our teams for their contribution in reaching this important milestone! »
From piping to logistics to instrumentation and assembly, all batches were used.
On the AFA logistics side, Samuel Coudeville (Logistics Business Manager) explains his involvement in these EACs: « We took part in the EAC2s by carrying out numerous missions such as pumping and cleaning up liquid leaks, setting up ventilation in the face of gas or high temperature risks, organising the bridge and lift operators, technical assistance and on-call duty at weekends and so on. »
In logistics, Didier Savary (Logistics Works Supervisor) also helped by allocating changing rooms, sanitary facilities and canteens to the mobilized companies and by managing the organization of the offices.
On the supply management side, Hélène Henriet (Management Assistant), managed orders for industrial supplies and specific test materials.
As regards the electrical batch, Mickaël Doucet (Works Supervisor on the IEGs) gives us his feedback: « In my supervision of EM8 activities (Framatome boiler contract), I was able to follow the EACs very closely. Indeed, our contract includes the supply of the pressurizer as well as the sensors on the GMPP (Primary Pump Motor Unit) and sensors on the VDA (main steam circuit) and VVP (atmospheric discharge circuit) systems. Throughout the EAC2, our equipment was tested, which led to a number of hazards that had to be repaired as quickly as possible. All in all, these RCTs have been very rewarding for me. »
Martial Morin (IED Works Supervisor), also participated in the EACs with the commissioning of the entire fire detection system as well as the public address equipment.
Concerning the follow-up of the validation of the installations, Gilles Schaller (Work Supervisor in Instrumentation and Piping on FRAMATOME’s installations), has intervened on several occasions to analyse sensor malfunctions but also to put them back in place or replace them.
Despite their different areas of activity, our employees have all contributed to these EACs and their successes. In total, 12,000 safety and performance criteria were validated, 250 test procedures were tested and 160 systems were put into service.
