The detailed steam generator life assessment work is expected to lay the foundation for the plant inspection, maintenance (cleaning) and operations (chemistry) programme enhancements that will ensure extended life of this critical equipment. Following completion of the Phase 1 assessment work, implementation of the inspection, monitoring and maintenance programme recommendations that result from this (and other assessments) should begin.

However, it is recognized that programmes that simply increase the plant total inspection, maintenance and monitoring effort will not be compatible with plant performance goals. Hence, the programmes must be “optimized” for ageing management effectiveness, to preserve the life extension option. This optimization should make use of a proactive ageing management approach for steam generators, involving use of advanced diagnostic and inspection techniques. These techniques can be used to focus the plant programmes on those areas-at-risk of potential significant ageing in the steam generators during the operational period ahead. A structured and managed approach to this part of the implementation process has been developed for implementation prior to life extension.