Electrical Damage to RRP Face Seals Can Force Unplanned Shutdown

AEGIS RPPR Protects Reactor Pump Face Seals

In boiling water reactors, reactor recirculation pumps (RRPs) face seals develop a voltage between the seal faces. This stray voltage drives current across the seal, causing electrical damage to the faces.

This damage can (and has) increased seal leakage enough to force unplanned shutdowns.  

See the resources below to learn more about this problem and potential solutions.  

These include a case study detailing one European nuclear station's struggle with electrical seal face damage.  

For another field-tested approach to the problem, see the AEGIS® RPPR shaft grounding ring brochure. The RPPR's effectiveness at mitigating electrical face seal damage has been validated in dozens of installations in the US.

 

Case Study on RRP Seal Face Failure
AEGIS RPPR Fact Sheet