Feeder tube assemblies transport heavy water coolant between the CANDU reactor and steam generators. This is a key contract under the MCR, which is part of Bruce's long-term Life-Extension Program to update all eight Bruce reactors and secure the site's operation until 2064.

The feeders will be manufactured at BWXT Canada's Cambridge, Ontario facility, and BWXT Canada President John MacQuarrie said the contract will allow the company to make investments in its workforce and facility. "Thanks to this contract and others related to nuclear plant life extension in Ontario, we are creating more highly-skilled, long-term jobs in our community," he said.

Pre-production qualification work for the project is currently under way, BWXT said. Production manufacturing will begin this autumn, and the project is expected to be completed in 2031.

Bruce units 3-8 are all to undergo MCR, which includes the replacement of key reactor components such as steam generators, pressure tubes, calandria tubes and feeders. Unit 6 is currently undergoing the process and is expected to return to service in 2024. Work is scheduled to begin on unit 3 in 2023 followed by unit 4 in 2025. All the MCRs are scheduled for completion by July 2033.

Article via World Nuclear News