Hinkley Point B R3 2019 outage – Mechanical Engineering inspection

• Site: Hinkley Point B
• IR number: 19-007
• Date: April 2019
• LC numbers: 28

Executive summary

Purpose of Intervention

The purpose of this intervention was to carry out licence compliance inspections at EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Limited’s Hinkley Point B power station in line with the planned inspection programme contained in the Hinkley Point B Integrated intervention Strategy.

Interventions Carried Out by ONR

ONR inspectors carried out inspections against the requirements of Licence Condition 28: examination, inspection, maintenance and testing, to inform the ONR decision relating to the issue of a licence instrument for consent for return to service of Hinkley Point B Reactor 3 following its periodic shutdown.  The activities examined were selected due to their nuclear safety significance.

The intervention included:

• Examination, inspection, maintenance and testing of:
  • Gas circulators
  • Reactor gas safety relief valves
  • Control rod drop times
  • Turbine LP rotors exchange
  • Generator rotor exchange
• Standard of Nuclear Significant Maintenance Facilities during walk downs of maintenance facilities/areas
• Emerging Mechanical issues

The intervention was performed in line with ONR's guidance requirements (as described in our technical inspection guides) in the areas inspected.

• Further information on intervention ratings

Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made

Based on my sampling, I am satisfied from a mechanical engineering perspective that during the Hinkley Point B Reactor 3 2019 periodic shutdown:

• Examination, inspection, maintenance and testing associated with gas circulators and reactor gas safety relief valves is being adequately controlled, in line with the requirements of the safety case.
• Control rod drop times are within safety case limits.
• Sufficient records are being kept and monitored to identify problems both reactively and proactively.
• The SAP training record system does not reflect current training completion of maintenance technician’s workbooks. This is currently being addressed as part of a previous system based intervention finding.

Conclusion of Intervention

Based on my sampling undertaken as part of this intervention, I am satisfied that the Licence Condition 28 arrangements in place are adequate and have been adequately implemented with no significant shortfalls.  I have therefore given this inspection a rating of GREEN.

I am content, from a Mechanical Engineering perspective, for the Project Inspector to support restart of Hinkley Point B Reactor 3, following its 2019 periodic shutdown.