Rapid Mobilization of the Right Talent Saves Time and Money
Plant type: nuclear

Client Challenge

Client’s gate valve double angle wedge was in need of repair or replacement due to excessive wear of Stellite 6. The 29-week lead time for delivery made replacement of the wedge impractical. The selected repair supplier was not capable of the precise machining and hardfacing techniques that were required and did not have the qualifications to provide first-time repair results.

Aquilex Solution

Aquilex WSI Nuclear Services was called in for emergent disk refurbishment expertise and was immediately able to mobilize the right team of supervisors, welders and machinists who were qualified to handle all phases of the refurbishment.

The Aquilex WSI Nuclear Services craftsmen utilized the site machine shop and tooling to remove the Stellite 6 from the wedge and then build-up to .400” with Stellite 21 for improved wear resistance. The disc was then final machined to .320.

Due to the need to remove the Stellite 6 while maintaining the exact, appropriate dimensioning upon reinstallation, Aquilex WSI Nuclear Services craftsman installed a stainless steel plate on the wedge to benchmark the existing configuration and depth of the hardfacing. The machinists were then able to machine the disc, even with the steel fixture in place.

Results

Instead of a 29-week wait time for a new disc, the current disc was repaired with first-time quality and ready for reinstallation in just four days. The immediate mobilization of the right Aquilex WSI Nuclear Services team and repair outcome saved significant time and money for the plant over replacement or proceeding with the original repair supplier.