PWR Control Rod Boss Corrosion Solution for PCG, Inc.

Construction Solutions provided 3D CAD modeling along with custom equipment design for PCG, Inc.. They designed a special purpose sawing system for PCG, Inc. in order to cut a ridged stainless steel insulation blanket within an 8-inch clearance at the top of a PWR reactor. By design, the insulation blanket is rigid making inspection of the reactor crown impossible. It was discovered that there is a possibility of fluids collecting in the depression around the PWR crown. The PWR crown is where control rods pass through the boss cast into the reactor crown. The fault was proven when a corrosion pit was discovered at the base of a control rod boss that had nearly penetrated the PWR crown in the Davis-Bacon reactor, located in Alabama. Construction Solutions designed a special purpose band saw that would perform in the 8-inch clearance, allow for easy installation along with remote operation. Because of high radiation levels, the cutting device needed to be easily installed and allow for remote operation.