Marking another step in the long journey to get the shuttered 935 MW Davis Besse nuclear power plant back online, FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Co. (FENOC) officials last week said that a recent pressure test at the plant fully met all of its objectives, including validation of the integrity of the bottom of the plant’s reactor vessel and of the reactor coolant system.

The pressure test required raising system pressure and temperature to approximately those of normal operations — 2,155 pounds per square inch and 532 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. Test conditions were maintained for eight and one-half days while inspection crews conducted a total of three system walkdowns.

“One of the key pieces of equipment we tested was the bottom of the reactor vessel,” said FENOC Chief Operating Officer Lew Myers. “Using a robotic camera to closely examine the bottom and the 52 instrumentation tubes there, we confirmed that there is no indication of leakage.”

Davis-Besse Vice President Mark Bezilla, who oversaw many of the other testing activities, added that the purpose of the test was to identify and resolve any remaining minor equipment issues. “We found only a handful of minor issues,” Bezilla said. “Most of them already have been taken care of, or will be over the next four to six weeks, before we ask the NRC for permission to restart.”

Remaining work to be completed prior to restart of the plant includes modifying the high pressure injection pumps, which already have been shipped to the vendor and modification of the electrical distribution system. In addition, work must still be completed on containment air coolers and additional training for employees regarding performance issues, regulatory compliance and safety culture must be implemented. Also, enhancements to a corrective action program must still be completed.

FENOC last year was forced to shut down Davis Besse, which is located in Ohio, after the discovery of major corrosion on the plant’s reactor head caused by boric acid.

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