2. Dealing with a pipe leak

2.1 Leak management by the operator

Once an increase in sodium content and/or cationic conductivity has been detected, the operator plans a leak detection procedure to identify and plug the leak. This planning takes into account the action to be taken (depending on the extent of the pollution), the unit's operating constraints (e.g. fuel management, effluent management, unit suitability for load following, etc.) and the availability and mobilization of the resources required to find the leak.

While waiting for this research to be carried out, and once it has been planned, measures can be implemented in certain situations to try to stabilize or reduce leakage rates.

The continuous tube cleaning system (injection of cleaning balls) associated...