[en] The nuclear microprobe technique and the mass spectrometry technique have been used to measure respectively the radial and the axial ¹⁰B(n,α)⁷Li profiles after neutrons irradiation nf B₄C absorber (1 cycle in PALUEL 2 reactor). In spite of very low burn-ups (from 0.3 to 5 x 10²⁰ capt./cm³), both techniques show very good sensitivities. The results obtained are in good agreement. This permits to have a better knowledge of the neutronic environment of the PWR control rod. (authors)

[en] This paper examines the start-up and initial operation of the Paluel power station, the first of the new Electricite de France 1,300 MWe generation of nuclear power stations. After enumerating the principal characteristics of Paluel and pin-pointing the differences compared with 900 MWe generation, one describes and comments on the first months of operation of the power station, working efficiency which is judged to be generally favourable

[en] The components of turbo-alternator rotors (corrective unbalance masses) have been equilibrated at the manufacture in a caisson before their installation in the power plant. To obtain good vibration amplitudes, more particularly at critical speeds, mechanical balances have been needed on-site

[en] The rotors of high pressure and low pressure 1 and 2 shells are guided by one bearing (1 bearing per shell). The rotors of low pressure 3 and alternator shells are guided by two bearings (2 bearings per shell). In the case of rotors guided by one bearing per shell, the initial balance obtained in the works by use of a special casing is destroyed during assembly, which means that rebalancing is doubly necessary on site, because such rotors are extremely sensitive to imbalance. Before the turbo-alternators are commissioned, vibrations are therefore reduced by the use of balance rectifiers which have been designed by application of a theoretical and experimental procedure utilizing the computerized method of influence coefficients. Turbo-alternators No. 1 and 2 at the Paluel power plant were balanced at five critical speeds and nominal speed (1500 r.p.m.). Reductions in vibration amplitudes were substantial in spite of repeatability constraints

[en] To improve the understanding of ageing mechanisms and to support the asset management of steam generators (SGs), EDF in collaboration with the Materials Ageing Institute (MAI) is undertaking a major project to investigate two retired steam generators. The two selected SGs, one from Cruas unit 4 and the other from Paluel unit 2, are recirculating AREVA designs with thermally treated alloy 600 tube bundles and presenting about 30 years of operation. Topics of interest concern wear mechanisms, vibration fatigue, secondary side corrosion of tubes, denting, clogging, fouling, alloy 690 tube plugs, SG internals, tube ends, secondary side chemistry, zinc injection and NDT (non-destructive testing) probes developments by reliability studies. For each topic, the paper will describe the broad guidelines of the destructive examinations program. Most of these examinations will be performed in the new hot laboratory of EDF called LIDEC

[en] This communication presents first the different components of the monitoring-control system while showing their interaction with the rest of the unit. The utilization of computerized systems (CONTROBLOC) revealed itself adapted. Then, the protection system SPIN is presented, specific automatic system which generates emergency shutdown and protective action commands. Its startup needed a development of the equipment and an adjustement from the owner

[en] This paper presents three examples of system assessments made on occasion of a probabilistic safety assessment in PALUEL power plant, for which the Markovian techniques had to be used due to various reasons. The methods used are briefly described as well as the technique advantages and drawbacks. Lastly, this paper gives the developments brought about by EDF

[en] Having outlined the general layout of the process control system used on pressurized water reactor plants this paper describes the logic automatic devices based on CONTROBLOC and the SPIN protection system and their commissioning

[en] The author describes the Paluel nuclear power station, 35 km from Dieppe. The first two 1300 MW(e) PWRs went into service in 1984, reaching full power in the December; the output voltage is 380 kV. The third should go into service in September 1985 and the fourth in September 1986. The French nuclear power generating programme is also outlined. (D.J.B.)

[en] After general information on the power plant, the cooling network is described, the geology of the site is given. Construction of earth galleries, submarine galleries and water discharge shafts to the sea are described