ENERCON Receives Patent For Innovative Nuclear Reactor Filter System

Patent, for use in emergency core cooling, ensures greater safety of operation

KENNESAW, Ga., Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- ENERCON, a multi-disciplined engineering, environmental and technical consulting energy company since 1983, has received patents (USPN 8048319 and USPN 8054932) for a filter medium for strainers used in nuclear reactor Emergency Core Cooling Systems (ECCS).

ENERCON's product was developed in response to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Generic Safety Issue, GSI-191, "Assessment of Debris Accumulation on PWR Sump Performance."

ENERCON President John Richardson said, "Our product responds to a Loss of Coolant Accident. During long-term recirculation, cooling of the reactor core fibrous debris material could bypass through the ECCS sump strainer and potentially block cooling water flow paths in the reactor core. Our product-- "Debris Bypass Eliminator" is a secondary filter system that works with the ECCS sump strainer to reduce or eliminate the fibrous debris material in cooling water entering the reactor core."

Eleven nuclear power plants in the United States have the ENERCON Debris Bypass Eliminator installed in their ECCS sump strainers.

Patent Inventor and Engineering Manager Aaron Smith said, "The Debris Bypass Eliminator has specifically helped these 11 plants address one of the major safety issues in the U.S. nuclear power industry. ENERCON is currently working with other nuclear plants to explore how the Debris Bypass Eliminator may enhance the performance of their current ECCS sump strainers. We are also assessing the ability of this product to help other electric and industrial plants address cooling water issues associated with their facilities."

ENERCON, founded in Tulsa, Okla. in 1983, has grown to become a diversified multi-disciplined company that provides an extensive range of professional services through four divisions: Power Group, Environmental Services, New Plant Services, and Federal Services. With 21 offices, 19 in the United States and one each in Europe and the Middle East, ENERCON has developed a long list of satisfied and repeat clients and a solid reputation as a "go to" engineering and environmental consulting firm. ENERCON, with over 1,200 resourceful and qualified professionals, is known for innovation, excellence, responsiveness and commitment to partnering with clients to achieve outstanding success.

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