Sandia National Laboratories (SNL)
Project Objective
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) operates a test nuclear reactor called the Annular Core Research Reactor (ACRR) at Tech Area 5 (TA-V) in Albuquerque, NM. At the ACRR facility, Sandia researchers can subject various test objects to a mixed photon and neutron irradiation environment featuring either a very rapid pulse rate or a long-term, steady-state rate.
The fuel cladding in this reactor is reaching its end of life, so the cladding will be replaced with new material that is welded and backfilled with helium.
Unique Project Features
The cladding serves a safety function in a nuclear reactor, so the project was subject to NQA-1 quality assurance requirements. All handling of the irradiated fuel elements, including disassembly, inspection, reassembly, and welding, will be performed remotely.
Encorus Group Solution
Encorus provided technical and quality assurance expertise to ensure that the project activities including material procurement, inspection, fabrication, and storage were in accordance with NQA-1 requirements.
Specific Project Tasks
- Review procedures for NQA-1 fabrication, welding, and inspection
- Develop a Quality Assurance Plan (QAP)
- Assign NQA-1 quality levels to components and activities
- Establish design criteria for welds
- Perform Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)