popular articles

USA: Framatome modernizes reactor 2 at Arkansas power plant

Framatome has teamed up with Entergy Nuclear to replace the vessel cover on Reactor 2 of the Arkansas Nuclear One plant, scheduled for the spring 2026 unit outage, in order to improve safety and reliability.

Please share:

Framatome has signed a contract with Entergy Nuclear to replace the vessel cover on reactor number 2 at the Arkansas Nuclear One (ANO) plant.
The replacement, scheduled for the spring 2026 unit outage, is a major operation designed to ensure the safety and reliability of the facility.
This modernization is crucial to maintaining reactor performance and guaranteeing stable energy production.

Details of the modernization project

The project involves the complete replacement of the mechanical structure of the tank cover, cluster control mechanisms, electromagnetic assemblies and connectors.
It also includes heavy handling and restoring the equipment buffer to its original configuration.
Precise coordination between Framatome and Entergy Nuclear ensured the success of this complex operation.

Implications for the plant and energy supply

Arkansas Nuclear One, located in Russellville, Arkansas, supplies around 65% of the energy demand of Entergy’s 730,000 customers in the state.
The modernization aims to enhance the facility’s performance and sustainability to maintain this essential contribution. Erik Dorman, Framatome’s Executive Vice President for North America, emphasizes the importance of this project in ensuring safe, reliable power generation.

A complex technical operation

The project requires advanced technical skills and meticulous coordination.
Teams must carry out in-depth analyses and follow rigorous procedures to ensure the success of each stage of the replacement.
Cluster control mechanisms and electromagnetic assemblies, key components of the reactor, are being replaced to improve safety and performance.

Background and implications for the industry

This modernization is part of a broader trend to upgrade nuclear infrastructures, essential to meet future energy challenges.
By optimizing existing equipment, the nuclear industry can continue to provide reliable, sustainable energy.
The collaboration between Framatome and Entergy Nuclear illustrates the importance of partnerships in the industry to maintain the performance of nuclear facilities.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Advertising

Recently published in

GE Hitachi makes progress in the UK competition for small modular reactors (SMRs), confirming its position in the nuclear power sector.
NANO Nuclear receives support from the U.S. Department of Energy for its portable 'ZEUS' reactor, with technical collaboration from Idaho National Laboratory.
NANO Nuclear receives support from the U.S. Department of Energy for its portable 'ZEUS' reactor, with technical collaboration from Idaho National Laboratory.
Oklo Inc. validates a strategic milestone by finalizing an agreement with the **U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)** to conduct site inspections for its modular nuclear reactor in Idaho. This reactor project, scheduled for 2027, is part of a broader drive to develop new nuclear technologies in the United States.
Oklo Inc. validates a strategic milestone by finalizing an agreement with the **U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)** to conduct site inspections for its modular nuclear reactor in Idaho. This reactor project, scheduled for 2027, is part of a broader drive to develop new nuclear technologies in the United States.
The vote to appoint Matthew Marzano to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has been postponed to November 13, without any official explanation, despite questions about his qualifications.
The vote to appoint Matthew Marzano to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has been postponed to November 13, without any official explanation, despite questions about his qualifications.
For the first time in the USA, previously closed nuclear power plants are about to be recommissioned by energy companies, in an unprecedented move to meet the growing demand for electricity.
Centrus urges the U.S. government to direct the $3.4 billion in federal investment into domestic nuclear technology, in order to strengthen U.S. energy independence from foreign dependencies.
Centrus urges the U.S. government to direct the $3.4 billion in federal investment into domestic nuclear technology, in order to strengthen U.S. energy independence from foreign dependencies.
Nuclear power development requires hybrid financial models to overcome cost and investment obstacles. Industry players are exploring innovative strategies to secure the financing needed for this key sector.
Nuclear power development requires hybrid financial models to overcome cost and investment obstacles. Industry players are exploring innovative strategies to secure the financing needed for this key sector.
The merger between ASN and IRSN, aimed at creating a single new authority for nuclear safety, is due to be finalized by January 2025. The timetable, judged to be tight, raises a number of organizational challenges.
The merger between ASN and IRSN, aimed at creating a single new authority for nuclear safety, is due to be finalized by January 2025. The timetable, judged to be tight, raises a number of organizational challenges.
Standard Uranium expands its Corvo project in the eastern Athabasca Basin to 12,265 hectares with increased exploration prospects and new partnerships.
Nuclear-friendly countries are calling on financial institutions and development banks to finance nuclear infrastructure and develop small modular reactors.
Nuclear-friendly countries are calling on financial institutions and development banks to finance nuclear infrastructure and develop small modular reactors.
NANO Nuclear Space is working on adapting its micronuclear reactors for space missions, with a focus on cis-lunar space.
NANO Nuclear Space is working on adapting its micronuclear reactors for space missions, with a focus on cis-lunar space.
Fourteen major financial institutions have pledged to support the global expansion of nuclear power to triple its capacity by 2050, marking a key step in the energy transition.
Fourteen major financial institutions have pledged to support the global expansion of nuclear power to triple its capacity by 2050, marking a key step in the energy transition.
Poland is financing the construction of its first nuclear power plant with an allocation of 60 billion zloty, strengthening its energy independence and creating major economic opportunities.
Kaycee project in Wyoming reveals promising uranium mineralization. Drilling by Nuclear Fuels Inc. s drilling marks a significant advance, with results indicating a possible connection between the Spur and Saddle zones.
Kaycee project in Wyoming reveals promising uranium mineralization. Drilling by Nuclear Fuels Inc. s drilling marks a significant advance, with results indicating a possible connection between the Spur and Saddle zones.
Holtec International has selected South Yorkshire as the location for its new Small Modular Reactor (SMR) plant, with the aim of supplying Europe and the Middle East while strengthening the UK nuclear supply chain.
Holtec International has selected South Yorkshire as the location for its new Small Modular Reactor (SMR) plant, with the aim of supplying Europe and the Middle East while strengthening the UK nuclear supply chain.
Japan and China have reached an agreement for the independent monitoring of treated water discharges from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. This decision paves the way for a potential lifting of the Chinese embargo on Japanese fish products.
Japan and China have reached an agreement for the independent monitoring of treated water discharges from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. This decision paves the way for a potential lifting of the Chinese embargo on Japanese fish products.
The *Nuclear Regulatory Commission* (NRC) authorizes *Florida Power & Light* to extend operation of units 3 and 4 of the Turkey Point nuclear power plant until 2053.
Agnès Pannier-Runacher, now head of the French Ministry of Ecology and Energy, plays a key role in implementing the national energy strategy, while defending the interests of French nuclear power at European level.
Agnès Pannier-Runacher, now head of the French Ministry of Ecology and Energy, plays a key role in implementing the national energy strategy, while defending the interests of French nuclear power at European level.
KHNP has won the tender to build two reactors in the Czech Republic, but appeals from Westinghouse and EDF are calling into question the finalization of the project.
KHNP has won the tender to build two reactors in the Czech Republic, but appeals from Westinghouse and EDF are calling into question the finalization of the project.
Constellation restarts a unit at the Three Mile Island power plant to supply Microsoft with electricity. This 20-year agreement is part of a response to the growing demand for low-carbon energy in data centers.
Constellation restarts a unit at the Three Mile Island power plant to supply Microsoft with electricity. This 20-year agreement is part of a response to the growing demand for low-carbon energy in data centers.
The nuclear sector, crucial to the fight against climate change, is struggling to triple its global capacity by 2050. An expert report reveals financial and structural challenges, underscoring the urgent need for concerted action to revitalize the industry.
Standard Uranium Ltd. reports encouraging results from its drilling program at the Canary Project in the Athabasca Basin. Abnormal levels of uranium and indicator elements underline the potential for future exploration in this promising region.
Standard Uranium Ltd. reports encouraging results from its drilling program at the Canary Project in the Athabasca Basin. Abnormal levels of uranium and indicator elements underline the potential for future exploration in this promising region.
The Czech Republic is embarking on a major energy transition by developing small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in partnership with Rolls-Royce. This initiative aims to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The Czech Republic is embarking on a major energy transition by developing small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in partnership with Rolls-Royce. This initiative aims to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The restart of the Palisades nuclear power plant in Michigan, after a two-year shutdown, raises technical and financial concerns. The challenges encountered could influence the future of nuclear power in the United States and public confidence in the sector.
The restart of the Palisades nuclear power plant in Michigan, after a two-year shutdown, raises technical and financial concerns. The challenges encountered could influence the future of nuclear power in the United States and public confidence in the sector.

Advertising