One of the steam drums is moved into place above a row of steam generators at Bruce 3

Wedoany.com Report-Mar 1, Bruce Power’s Ontario plant has reached a significant stage in the refurbishment of unit 3, with all eight steam generators now installed. At the same time, the company completed its largest-ever harvest of cobalt-60 during a scheduled outage at unit 5.

The replacement of steam generators at Bruce 3 is part of Bruce Power’s Life-Extension Program and Major Component Replacement (MCR) Project. Over the past six months, the company collaborated with the Steam Generator Replacement Team (SGRT), a joint venture of Aecon and SGT (formed by Framatome Canada Ltd and United Canadian Operations Ltd), to execute the task. The process began with the relocation of 300-tonne steam drums, positioned above the generators, using a track system for inspection and maintenance. The original 100-tonne steam generators were then removed through the roof, and new ones were installed with the aid of Mammoet’s PTC-35 crane, standing over 100 meters tall.

Bruce Power’s Vice-President of MCR Execution, Rob Hoare, stated: "This was a huge undertaking that required more than a year-and-a-half of planning just to get to the execution phase, which was delivered safely and successfully through a high degree of collaboration."

Unit 3 was taken offline in March 2023 to start its MCR outage. It is the second of six units at the Bruce site scheduled for this upgrade, which replaces critical reactor components such as steam generators, pressure tubes, calandria tubes, and feeder tubes. This process extends the reactor’s operational life by 30 to 35 years. The new steam generators, produced by BWXT approximately 20 years ago, were stored on-site prior to installation.

In a separate development, Bruce Power achieved a record harvest of cobalt-60 during a planned outage at unit 5, where upgrades were also implemented to enhance production of cobalt-60 and High Specific Activity (HSA) cobalt-60. Cobalt-60 sterilizes about 40% of single-use medical devices globally, including syringes, catheters, IV sets, surgical gloves, and gauze, supporting various healthcare needs. HSA cobalt-60, a medical-grade isotope, is utilized in non-invasive treatments for brain tumors and breast cancer.

James Scongack, Bruce Power’s Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice-President, and Chair of the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council, remarked: "The production of these potentially life-saving medical isotopes is a beacon of hope that is provided by our nuclear industry."

The successful installation at unit 3 and the cobalt-60 harvest at unit 5 demonstrate Bruce Power’s ongoing efforts to maintain operational reliability while contributing to global medical advancements. Both projects align with the company’s commitment to safety and efficiency, ensuring the continued functionality of its facilities in Ontario.