Bruce Power Limited Partnership is a Canadian business partnership composed of several corporations. It exists (as of 2015) as a partnership between TC Energy (31.6%), BPC Generation Infrastructure Trust (61.4%), the Power Workers Union (4%) and The Society of United Professionals (1.2%). It is the licensed operator of the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station, located on the shores of Lake Huron, roughly 250 kilometres northwest of Toronto, between the towns of Kincardine and Saugeen Shores. It is the largest operating nuclear plant in the world by output (Kashiwazaki is currently closed in Japan).Bruce Power operates eight nuclear reactors on Lake Huron where it leases the Bruce site from Ontario Power Generation. With those eight units in operation, the facility has a capacity of 6,400 megawatts and typically supplies nearly 30 per cent of the electricity used in Ontario's provincial power grid. Bruce Power became the world's largest operating nuclear facility in 2012, when Units 1 and 2 returned to operation after a multibillion-dollar refurbishment project. This achievement returned the site to full operating capacity for the first time in 17 years.According to the Company, "Bruce Power set a site record for production in 2015, generating 30 per cent of Ontario's electricity at 30 per cent less than the average residential price of power.
This study experimentally investigates the dynamic characteristics of a CANDU 37 M fuel bundle under realistic axial constraints using controlled impact and harmonic excitations, while accounting for the isolated dynamic contributions of the fuel elements and endplates. A full-scale mock-up incorporating molybdenum pellets was tested under systematically varied axial boundary conditions using high-speed optical tracking and laser displacement sensors. The fundamental bending frequency of individual fuel elements was consistently identified at 35-36 Hz and remained insensitive to unilateral end constraint. Bilateral constraint introduced a secondary mode near 39 Hz, indicating symmetric modal coupling without altering intrinsic element stiffness. Independent endplate excitation revealed a distinct structural resonance in the 46-50 Hz range, dynamically coupled to but not governing the global bundle response. The results demonstrate that bundle vibration is inertia dominated by the collective mass of the fuel elements, while the endplate functions primarily as a coupling medium. These findings clarify energy trans-mission pathways within the bundle and provide a mechanical basis for improved assessment of fretting wear, spacer-pad interaction, and vibration-induced degradation under reactor operating conditions.
Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of a virtually delivered, individual, cognitive rehabilitation protocol called Symptom-Targeted Rehabilitation for Cognitive Complaints after Concussion (STAR-C) for Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted comparing STAR-C to provision of self-management educational materials for mTBI. STAR-C was delivered by a speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist. Outcomes were recruitment numbers and participant and clinician ratings on a standard measure of acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of intervention. Results: Of 136 veterans who contacted the study coordinator, 56 were eligible and were randomized to either STAR-C (n = 28) or educational materials (Control group, n = 28). Of the 19 active group participants who completed all post-treatment measures, 17 gave high ratings of acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility. Clinicians gave the intervention high ratings of appropriateness and feasibility for the active participants who completed the STAR-C treatment. The 20 control group participants gave a wider range of scores for the educational materials. Discussion: STAR-C was rated as acceptable, appropriate, and feasible by both participants who completed the study and clinicians, with significantly higher participant ratings for STAR-C versus control. There were significant challenges in recruitment, however, raising questions about feasibility and whether awareness-raising efforts might be needed prior to studying treatment efficacy and effectiveness.
Hydrogen is presented in CANDU reactor pressure tubes component as initial protium from manufacturing as well as deuterium ingress from heavy coolant occurring during operation. Ingress is more prominent at the rolled joint connection at each end of the pressure tube such that concentration gradients cause inboard diffusion of the hydrogen. High hydrogen concentration could reduce ductility and toughness of material via delayed hydride cracking (DHC) in nuclear reactor components such as pressure tubes. A finite element-based diffusion model, accounting for the ingress and redistribution interaction of protium and deuterium interaction, was developed to study the hydrogen evolution and redistribution at outlet rolled joint region of the pressure tube. To more precisely capture the hydrogen evolution by change in temperature for the reactor thermal cycle, temperature profiles calculated by thermal-hydraulic code, along with reactor startup/shutdown history was applied. This diffusion model predicts both protium and deuterium distributions in good agreement with measurements. The modelling results shows the temperature circumferential gradient is an important factor in redistributing the hydrogen concentration in the pressure tube. Sensitivity to input parameters (such as Terminal Solid Solubility (TSS), diffusivity) is seen to affect ratchetting responses of hydride accumulation at the top of the pressure tube. Modelling results also reveal that protium redistribution causes local increase in protium concentration.
This paper presents the findings from a comprehensive conceptual engineering study conducted on the condenser system of a CANDU nuclear power plant. The study was primarily aimed at identifying and addressing existing performance issues, while also enhancing efficiency and ensuring long-term operational reliability of the condenser units, which are integral to the power generation process. By utilizing advanced simulation tools, thermal analysis, and rigorous engineering methodologies, several critical areas in need of improvement were identified. The proposed solutions are centered on optimizing thermal performance, reducing operational downtime, accommodating projected climate variations and mitigating the risks associated with equipment failures. The study also examines the potential for material upgrades and design modifications to extend the operational lifespan of the system, factoring in considerations such as material fatigue, corrosion resistance, and fluid dynamics. The outcomes of this study offer significant potential to improve not only the operational efficiency but also the overall safety of the nuclear facility. Furthermore, these results provide valuable insights for broader applications within the nuclear power industry, particularly in the realms of pressure vessel technology and sustainable power generation. This paper underscores the pivotal role of continuous engineering innovation in achieving safe, reliable, and efficient nuclear energy production.
Rotating machine health assessment is an important aspect of machine operation. There are 20 or more online tests and techniques available to assess machine condition while in service. Online condition monitoring and assessment help to detect changes in machine operating conditions at an early stage as well as determining the degree of degradation over time. Assessing machine conditions can help estimate the risk of failure and the potential vulnerability to unexpected or unintended operating events. The objective is to promptly initiate corrective measures, preventing costly shutdowns and production losses. Online monitoring is also helpful in being well prepared ahead of scheduled shutdowns. In this article, individual online tests and monitoring techniques are discussed on both synchronous and induction machines rated between 4.0 kV and up to 13.8 kV. The online monitoring techniques covered are rotor flux monitoring, stator endwinding vibration monitoring, broken rotor bar detection, stator interturn fault detection, and online partial discharge (PD) monitoring. A systematic approach based on years of experience and field studies is presented to provide a clear path for selecting the appropriate tests and choosing optimized and best possible online monitoring techniques that can be used in the petroleum and chemical industry.
