• Development and implementation of NDT techniques for nuclear and conventional applications in accordance with national and international standards, including ultrasonic testing (conventional and phased array), eddy current testing, magnetic particle testing, liquid penetrant testing, radiography, thermography, tomography, videoscope inspection, neutron radiography, among others.

• Measurement and analysis of vibrations, deformations and operating conditions, and structural integrity assessment of components and systems.

• Leak testing of containment buildings, airlocks, valves, and related components.

Background:

• Periodic Containment Building Leak Testing in Atucha I NPP, Atucha-II NPP and Embalse NPP.

• Periodical In Service Inspection and special NDT techniques development for Atucha I NPP, Atucha-II NPP and Embalse NPP.

• Engineering development and process analysis for nuclear facilities, including system behavior assessment (transport phenomena, thermodynamic and kinetic aspects) and design of operational optimization solutions.

• Development of laboratory-scale testing, design, assembly, and qualification of equipment, laboratories, and experimental plants.

• Experimental development of hydrometallurgical operations.

• Measurement of process parameters, compositions, and contaminants through various analytical techniques.

• Engineering development and process analysis for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC), including thermal analysis and energy efficiency.

• Design, construction, verification, and validation of Reactor Protection Systems (RPS) based in FPGA technology, including on-site installation and commissioning of the complete system.

• Design, manufacturing, and testing of field instruments, control and safety valves, electronic modules, electrical cabinets, and mineral-insulated cables for nuclear and conventional installations.

• Development and evaluation of measurement systems, including control logic (PLC, SCADA, HMI), data processing systems, and digital systems.

• Data processing and analysis for process variables and equipment performance monitoring in conventional and nuclear systems, including application of machine learning models for anomaly detection.

• Implementation of Human Factors Engineering programs for nuclear facilities in accordance with international standards.

• Instrument calibration.

Background:

• Supply of the Reactor Protection System (RPS) for RA10 Research Reactor, from detectors to actuation logic.

• Development of in-core instrumentation sensors with integrated automated detectors for Atucha II NPP.

• Development and supply of start-up measurement chains for safety systems for achieving criticality after the Life Extension Program at Embalse NPP.

• Development of measurement systems for vibration, flow, temperature, corrosion, among others.

• Siting assessment studies for Nuclear Power Plants, Research & Radioisotope Production Reactores, and other nuclear facilities.

• Deterministic and probabilistic nuclear safety analysis (Level 1, 2 and 3), including experimental studies and risk analysis using HAZOP and FMEA methodologies.

• Application of specialized models and computational codes for nuclear safety assessment (e.g., RELAP, MELCOR).

• Review of mandatory technical licensing documentation, such as operating and maintenance manuals, analysis of operational limits and conditions, and evaluation of radioprotection requirements and practices.

• Comprehensive design reviews of nuclear facilities from the perspectives of safety, radiation protection, operation, and maintenance. Development of initiating event control strategies for implementation of the Defense-in-Depth principle.

• Design and construction of special devices for harvesting and testing of irradiated materials.

• Conditioning and transportation of irradiated materials, in compliance with national and international radiological safety standards.

• Testing and characterization of irradiated materials and active samples, both on-site and at specialized facilities, including evaluation of mechanical, chemical, and microstructural properties.

• Sample irradiation services according to requirements.

Background:

Design and implementation of surveillance programs for Atucha II NPP.

• Design, engineering and supply of facilities, tools, and devices for the handling and conditioning of spent fuel and radioactive waste (spent filters, resins, liquid waste streams, etc.).

• Technical support in the development of radioactive waste management and decontamination procedures.

Background:

• Design and engineering of the dry spent fuel storage facility for Atucha I NPP and conceptual design engineering for Atucha II NPP, featuring natural convection cooling and adapted to the unique characteristics of Atucha I-II NPP fuel design.

• Design and implementation of Ageing Management methodologies, aligned with international standards and best practices to support long-term operation (LTO).

• Execution of Ageing Management Reviews (AMRs), Condition Assessments, and development of Ageing Management Programs (AMPs) for critical nuclear plant systems and components.

• On-site plant walkdowns to detect and evaluate Ageing-Related and Degradation Mechanisms (ARDMs), supporting proactive maintenance strategies.

• Equipment Qualification (EQ) of components under various accident profiles, including high-temperature, humidity, and radiation conditions, seismic qualification, and electromagnetic compatibility.

• Reliability assessment and obsolescence management.

• Specification, determination, evaluation, and characterization of materials and components, including mechanical properties, microstructure, phases, and transformation kinetics.

• Mechanical, chemical, physical, and degradation testing of materials, including fatigue, fracture, corrosion, LIBS, FTIR, XPS, SEM, diffusion coefficient, heat capacity, electrical conductivity, thermal expansion, wear, tribological, hardness, hydrogen degradation, and related tests.

• Failure analysis of in-service components to identify root causes and recommend corrective actions.

• Development of materials, including alloys and composite materials.

• Design and fabrication of systems, structures, and mechanical and thermal-hydraulic components for various applications within the nuclear sector.

• Numerical modelling and calculation of processes, including thermal, neutronic, mechanical, and fluid phenomena, for the design and evaluation of integrity, fatigue, and service life of components and systems.

• Neutronic calculations, reactor core modelling, and shielding design for components.

• Design and development of software, codes, and models for a wide range of applications.

• Thermal-hydraulic testing in experimental loops capable of simulating primary circuit operating conditions, including critical heat flux (CHF) and pressure drop testing for nuclear fuels and other components.

• Design and supply of nuclear reactor simulators, intended for staff training and engineering studies, tailored to specific reactor types.

• Design and assembly of special devices and nuclear experimental facilities.

• Fuel element engineering.

Background:

• Development of simulators for RA10, CAREM, OPAL, PALLAS and LPRR.

• Development of simulation codes such as HUEMUL (cell neutronics physics, cross-section generation), PUMA (reactor neutronics), DIONISIO (thermomechanical behavior of fuel elements), among others.

• Design and construction of cave automatic virtual environments (CAVE) for operator training.

• Supply of calibrated irradiation sources for use as reference standards.

• Occupational, experimental, and computational dosimetry services, including calibration of dosimeters and detectors, characterization of irradiation facilities, and development of new neutron and gamma dosimetry techniques.

• Radiation protection support during operation and scheduled outages.

• Consulting, design, and testing of radiation shielding: shielding calculations, neutron shielding testing, cross-section measurements, and design of radiation protection systems.

• Mechanical engineering services for the analysis and structural sizing of components, piping, and systems, including load, stress, vibration, thermal and seismic effects, joint verification, fatigue and stability assessment, including finite element modelling (FEM).

• Component manufacturing and material processing services, including heat treatment, coating and surface engineering techniques, welding, and mechanical processing operations such as rolling, machining, and related manufacturing processes.

• Development and qualification of welding procedures, and qualification of welders.

• Robotics and automation: design and development of complex instrumentation and control (I&C) measurement systems, as well as the creation of innovative automated and robotic solutions.

• Design of remote operational systems.

• Project Management.

• Quality Management.

• Knowledge and information management and preservation.

• Civil engineering: structural and architectural design, integration and coordination of associated systems, including potable water, sanitary systems, and stormwater drainage.

• Plant layout design and configuration management.

• Site supervision.

• Electrical engineering.

• Systems integration engineering.

• Energy systems modeling and analysis, including supply and demand forecasting under alternative scenarios.

• Energy projects evaluation: investment and financial planning, cost analysis, greenhouse gases emission reduction.

• Tailored training courses for Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) operators in specific technical areas, delivered both on-site and off-site, according to client needs and operational context.

• Regular academic programs offered through CNEA’s specialized institutes:

  • Instituto Balseiro (engineering, physics, medical physics).
  • Instituto Sabato (materials science, non-destructive testing).
  • Instituto Dan Beninson (nuclear technology, radiological protection, waste management).