B&W's New Innovative Nuclear Inspection Robot Earns Industry Qualifications
(CHARLOTTE, N.C. – June 12, 2014) – Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Energy, Inc.(B&W Nuclear Energy), a subsidiary of The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W) (NYSE:BWC), has earned the qualifications necessary to use its ARCHER™ robot, designed by INETEC, to perform inspections on nuclear reactor vessel closure heads.
The ARCHER robot is designed to provide eddy current and ultrasonic examinations of reactor vessel closure head nozzles and J-groove welds using a variety of test modules. It can also perform automated surface repair of J-welds and nozzles for reactor vessel closure heads.
“The qualifications are important to our Company because they allow us to expand our nuclear services portfolio in the U.S.,” said Joe Zwetolitz, President of B&W Nuclear Energy. “More importantly to our customers, the speed at which this robot performs enables us to reduce critical path inspection time while still providing a high quality service.”
The qualifications were granted through a demonstration program administered by the Electric Power Research Institute. This program qualifies ultrasonic testing personnel, procedures, and equipment in accordance with industry requirements defined in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 50.55a).
B&W Nuclear Energy manufactures nuclear components that meet the rigorous standards of the nuclear power industry and also provides engineering, design, inspection and repair services for commercial nuclear customers globally. B&W has supplied the nuclear industry with more than 1,300 large, heavy components worldwide. It is North America’s only heavy nuclear component manufacturer and the only North American company to continuously manufacture nuclear steam generators since the 1950s.
About B&W
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., The Babcock & Wilcox Company is a leader in clean energy technology and services, primarily for the nuclear, fossil and renewable power markets, as well as a premier advanced technology and mission critical defense contractor. B&W has locations worldwide and employs approximately 11,000 people, in addition to approximately 10,200 joint venture employees. Learn more at www.babcock.com.
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