Japan taps Areva's nuclear safety devices

Areva will equip a Pressurized Water Reactor fleet in Japan with 100 of its passive autocatalytic recombiner (PARs) safety devices.

PARs will prevent the build-up of hydrogen into reactor containment vessels and are part of Areva's Safety Alliance offering, a range of products and services that upgrade the safety of nuclear plant fleets.

The devices do not require any operator intervention or power and they can continue to work in the event of a power-plant blackout.

"PARs represent a major step forward in nuclear plant safety, and Areva is proud to be driving this progress with its Safety Alliance Program," said Areva Installed Base Business Unit executive vice president Philippe Samama.

A total of 140 plants worldwide have been or will be equipped with Areva's PARs.