EDF Ceidre

EDF’s centre of expertise and inspection in manufacturing and operation (Ceidre) includes a Laboratory Department (DLAB) that specialises in fields such as analysis of metallic materials, system chemistry and its connections with the environment. The role of this centre is to ensure the integrity of equipments, detect any possible damage and in such a case, analyse its root causes and propose corrective actions. «When a component of the nuclear plant suffers damage, it is fundamental to quickly understand the specific or general nature of this failure in order to initiate the required corrective actions» explained the managers at Ceidre. 

Identical skills 

Ceidre decided to call on technical centres or institutes to guarantee its ability to perform investigations irrespective of the level of activity or the unavailability of equipments and laboratories. «Ceidre wanted a failure analysis partner which possessed at least its level of expertise. To this end, we conducted benchmarking of the existing expert investigation laboratories. We were won over by the skills and capabilities implemented by Cetim during some investigations conducted in late 2011 and early 2012. A multiannual contract was set up with the experts of this Centre in April 2012», stated the managers. This contracted investigation works related to parts from the non-nuclear sections (piping, shafts, bolts and nuts, couplings and fittings, etc.) which had suffered failures or damage or which exhibited premature wear or corrosion phenomena. The goal is to understand the root causes of such damage and prevent any possible recurrence. «The benefit of such a partnership is to be able to leverage on experts who understand our language, our specific problems and who commit to working with us over the long term. Thus, Cetim fully meets EDF’s requirement in its drive to be increasingly proactive and efficient», concluded the managers at Ceidre.