Research perspectives on the evaluation of steam generator tube integrity

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Muscara, J.; Diercks, D. R.; Majumdar, S.; Kupperman, D. S.; Bakhtiari, S.; Shack, W. J.

2001-01-01

Industry effects have been largely successful in managing degradation of steam generator tubes due to wastage, pitting, and denting, but fretting, SCC and intergranular attack have proved more difficult to manage. Although steam generator replacements are proceeding there is substantial industry interest in operating with degraded steam generators, and significant numbers of plants will continue to do so. In most cases degradation of steam generator tubing by stress corrosion cracking is still managed by plug or repair on detection, because current NDE techniques for characterization of flaws are not accurate enough to permit continued operation. This paper reviews some of the historical background that underlies current steam generator degradation management strategies and outlines some of the additional research that must be done to provide more effective management of degradation in current generators and provide greater assurance of satisfactory performance in replacement steam generators

Trends of degradation in steam generator tubes of Krsko NPP before the last planned inspection

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cizelj, L.; Dvorsek, T.; Androjna, F.

1998-01-01

Full-length inspection of all active tubes in both Krsko steam generators resulted in a huge amount of inspection records. A computerized database was developed by Reactor Engineering division to accelerate the management of about 200.000 records. The database was designed to support the development and decision related to the plugging criteria for damaged tubes and is utilized to gain as much experience concerning the degradation of SG tube as possible. In this paper, two prevailing group of data are statistically analyzed: the axial cracks in expansion transitions at the top of tube sheet (TTS) and Outside Diameter Stress Corrosion Cracking at tube support plates (TSP). Especially ODSCC caused a vast majority of repaired tubes (e.g., plugs and sleeves). The influence of plant startups involving oxidizing transient on the repair rates of tubes affected by ODSCC is analyzed in some detail. The results are promising and show excellent correlation in SG 2 and reasonable fit in SG 1. Predictions of maximum expected number of tubes repaired due to ODSCC at the last planned inspection is given as 67 in SG 1 and 400 in SG 2. (author)

In service inspection for steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Comby, R.; Eyrolles, Ph.

1988-01-01

In this paper the authors show the means putting in place for examination of steam generators tubes. These means (eddy current probes, ultrasonic testing) associated with a knowledge on degradation phenomena allow mapping controlled tubes and limiting undesirable obturations [fr

Automated Diagnosis and Classification of Steam Generator Tube Defects

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Garcia, Gabe V.

2004-01-01

A major cause of failure in nuclear steam generators is tube degradation. Tube defects are divided into seven categories, one of which is intergranular attack/stress corrosion cracking (IGA/SCC). Defects of this type usually begin on the outer surface of the tubes and propagate both inward and laterally. In many cases these defects occur at or near the tube support plates. Several different methods exist for the nondestructive evaluation of nuclear steam generator tubes for defect characterization

French steam generator tubes: an overview of degradations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Buisine, D.; Bouvier, O. de; Rupa, N.; Thebault, Y.; Barbe, V.; Pitner, P.

2011-01-01

The various damages (corrosion, fatigue cracks, wear, ...) observed on steam generator (SG) tubes are presented here as well as the techniques used to characterize these damages. The SG are equipped with tubes of 3 materials: 600 MA, 600 TT and 690 TT. Concerning PWSCC of 600 MA and 600 TT tubes, beyond the damages usually observed (corrosion in expansion transition zone and in 600 MA tubes small radius U-bend zone), a new event is to be noted: the phenomenon of denting (presumably induced by the deposit of sludge on the tubesheet) has induced circumferential cracking of the tube expansion transition zone. Concerning ODSCC of 600 MA tubes, beyond the classically observed damages (IGA and IGSCC in expansion transition zone and in TSP crevice), a new event is to be noted: the occurrence of circumferential cracks in tube- TSP crevice. Concerning fatigue cracking, two events have to be noted at upper TSP level in Cruas 1 and Cruas 4 units and in Fessenheim 2 unit. The first (Cruas) was due to the blockage in the broached hole tube support plate which can create critical velocity ratios for some tubes and the second (Fessenheim) to high-cycle fatigue. Concerning wear damage, beyond what is usually observed in the U-bend zone facing the anti-vibration bars (AVB), a new event is to be noted: a wear at TSP level is observed on SG equipped with an economizer, the wear indications being located at TSP 7 and 8 level, on outer tubes close to the central lane. The number of tubes plugged for ODSCC has declined due to the progressive replacement of SG with Alloy 600 MA tubing. Starting in 2004, the increasing plugging of 690 tubing is mainly due to AVB wear. Since 2006, extensive preventive plugging campaigns for tubes at risk of high-cycle fatigue at the upper support plate are performed. Risk of high-cycle fatigue has consequently become the dominant mechanism inducing plugging. PWSCC is the second dominant mechanism which affects 600 MA and 600 TT tube bundles: extensive

The relative impact of sizing errors on steam generator tube failure probability

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cizelj, L.; Dvorsek, T.

1998-01-01

The Outside Diameter Stress Corrosion Cracking (ODSCC) at tube support plates is currently the major degradation mechanism affecting the steam generator tubes made of Inconel 600. This caused development and licensing of degradation specific maintenance approaches, which addressed two main failure modes of the degraded piping: tube rupture; and excessive leakage through degraded tubes. A methodology aiming at assessing the efficiency of a given set of possible maintenance approaches has already been proposed by the authors. It pointed out better performance of the degradation specific over generic approaches in (1) lower probability of single and multiple steam generator tube rupture (SGTR), (2) lower estimated accidental leak rates and (3) less tubes plugged. A sensitivity analysis was also performed pointing out the relative contributions of uncertain input parameters to the tube rupture probabilities. The dominant contribution was assigned to the uncertainties inherent to the regression models used to correlate the defect size and tube burst pressure. The uncertainties, which can be estimated from the in-service inspections, are further analysed in this paper. The defect growth was found to have significant and to some extent unrealistic impact on the probability of single tube rupture. Since the defect growth estimates were based on the past inspection records they strongly depend on the sizing errors. Therefore, an attempt was made to filter out the sizing errors and to arrive at more realistic estimates of the defect growth. The impact of different assumptions regarding sizing errors on the tube rupture probability was studied using a realistic numerical example. The data used is obtained from a series of inspection results from Krsko NPP with 2 Westinghouse D-4 steam generators. The results obtained are considered useful in safety assessment and maintenance of affected steam generators. (author)

Status of steam generator tubing integrity at Jaslovske Bohunice NPP

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cepcek, S.

1997-01-01

Steam generator represents one of the most important component of nuclear power plants. Especially, loss of tubing integrity of steam generators can lead to the primary coolant leak to secondary circuit and in worse cases to the unit shut down or to the PTS events occurrence. Therefore, to ensure the steam generator tubing integrity and the current knowledge about tube degradation propagation and development is of the highest importance. In this paper the present status of steam generator tubing integrity in operated NPP in Slovak Republic is presented

Analysis of induced steam generator tube rupture using MAAP 4.0

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kenton, M.; Epstein, M.; Henry, R.E.; Paik, C.; Fuller, E.

1996-01-01

The nuclear industry has initiated a program of Steam Generator Degradation Specific Management (SGDSM) to cope with the various types of corrosion that have been observed in pressurized water reactor (PWR) steam generators. In parallel, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is promulgating revised rules on steam generator tube integrity. To support these efforts, the Electric Power Research Institute has sponsored calculations with the MAAP 4 code. The principal objective of these calculations is to estimate the peak temperatures experienced by the steam generator tubes during high-pressure severe accidents. These results are used to evaluate the potential for degraded tubes to leak or rupture. Attention was focused on station blackout (SBO) accidents with loss of turbine-driven auxiliary feedwater because these generally result in the greatest threat to the tubes

Steam generator tube integrity program: Phase II, Final report

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kurtz, R.J.; Bickford, R.L.; Clark, R.A.; Morris, C.J.; Simonen, F.A.; Wheeler, K.R.

1988-08-01

The Steam Generator Tube Integrity Program (SGTIP) was a three phase program conducted for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) by Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL). The first phase involved burst and collapse testing of typical steam generator tubing with machined defects. The second phase of the SGTIP continued the integrity testing work of Phase I, but tube specimens were degraded by chemical means rather than machining methods. The third phase of the program used a removed-from-service steam generator as a test bed for investigating the reliability and effectiveness of in-service nondestructive eddy-current inspection methods and as a source of service degraded tubes for validating the Phase I and Phase II data on tube integrity. This report describes the results of Phase II of the SGTIP. The object of this effort included burst and collapse testing of chemically defected pressurized water reactor (PWR) steam generator tubing to validate empirical equations of remaining tube integrity developed during Phase I. Three types of defect geometries were investigated: stress corrosion cracking (SCC), uniform thinning and elliptical wastage. In addition, a review of the publicly available leak rate data for steam generator tubes with axial and circumferential SCC and a comparison with an analytical leak rate model is presented. Lastly, nondestructive eddy-current (EC) measurements to determine accuracy of defect depth sizing using conventional and alternate standards is described. To supplement the laboratory EC data and obtain an estimate of EC capability to detect and size SCC, a mini-round robin test utilizing several firms that routinely perform in-service inspections was conducted.

Steam generator tube integrity program: Phase II, Final report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kurtz, R.J.; Bickford, R.L.; Clark, R.A.; Morris, C.J.; Simonen, F.A.; Wheeler, K.R.

1988-08-01

The Steam Generator Tube Integrity Program (SGTIP) was a three phase program conducted for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) by Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL). The first phase involved burst and collapse testing of typical steam generator tubing with machined defects. The second phase of the SGTIP continued the integrity testing work of Phase I, but tube specimens were degraded by chemical means rather than machining methods. The third phase of the program used a removed-from-service steam generator as a test bed for investigating the reliability and effectiveness of in-service nondestructive eddy-current inspection methods and as a source of service degraded tubes for validating the Phase I and Phase II data on tube integrity. This report describes the results of Phase II of the SGTIP. The object of this effort included burst and collapse testing of chemically defected pressurized water reactor (PWR) steam generator tubing to validate empirical equations of remaining tube integrity developed during Phase I. Three types of defect geometries were investigated: stress corrosion cracking (SCC), uniform thinning and elliptical wastage. In addition, a review of the publicly available leak rate data for steam generator tubes with axial and circumferential SCC and a comparison with an analytical leak rate model is presented. Lastly, nondestructive eddy-current (EC) measurements to determine accuracy of defect depth sizing using conventional and alternate standards is described. To supplement the laboratory EC data and obtain an estimate of EC capability to detect and size SCC, a mini-round robin test utilizing several firms that routinely perform in-service inspections was conducted

Degradation monitoring in IRIS steam generators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Alpay, B.; Holloway, J. P.; Lee, J. C.

2007-01-01

We present a degradation monitoring technique based on unscented Kalman filtering (UKF), which uses a nonlinear system model without linearization to estimate the status of the component/state variables. To test the applicability of the methodology, the fouling of tubes is chosen among various degradation mechanisms for the IRIS (International Reactor Innovative and Secure) steam generators (SGs). The degradation monitoring algorithm diagnoses the tube fouling and estimates the thickness of the crud deposited on the secondary side of the SG along with the increase in the pressure drop triggered by fouling. A stand-alone SG model developed with the RELAP5 code was used to simulate the transient behavior of the SG and drive an UKF state estimate. By using the secondary side outlet temperature as the measurement and the nodal pressures along the secondary side as states, UKF generated accurate estimates of the crud layer thicknesses for different crud formations. (authors)

Failure analysis of retired steam generator tubings

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kim, Hong Pyo; Kim, J. S.; Hwang, S. S. and others

2005-04-15

Degradation of steam generator leads to forced outage and extension of outage, which causes increase in repair cost, cost of purchasing replacement power and radiation exposure of workers. Steam generator tube rupture incident occurred in Uljin 4 in 2002, which made public sensitive to nuclear power plant. To keep nuclear energy as a main energy source, integrity of steam generator should be demonstrated. Quantitative relationship between ECT(eddy current test) signal and crack size is needed in assesment of integrity of steam generator in pressurized water reactor. However, it is not fully established for application in industry. Retired steam generator of Kori 1 has many kinds of crack such as circumferential and axial primary water stress corrosion crack and outer diameter stress corrosion crack(ODSCC). So, it can be used in qualifying and improving ECT technology and in condition monitoring assesment for crack detected in ISI(in service inspection). In addition, examination of pulled tube of Kori 1 retired steam generator will give information about effectiveness of non welded sleeving technology which was employed to repair defect tubes and remedial action which was applied to mitigate ODSCC. In this project, hardware such as semi hot lab. for pulled tube examination and modification transportation cask for pulled tube and software such as procedure of transportation of radioactive steam generator tube and non-destructive and destructive examination of pulled tube were established. Non-destructive and destructive examination of pulled tubes from Kori 1 retired steam generator were performed in semi hot lab. Remedial actions applied to Kori 1 retired steam generator, PWSCC trend and bulk water chemistry and crevice chemistry in Kori 1 were evaluated. Electrochemical decontamination technology for pulled tube was developed to reduce radiation exposure and enhance effectiveness of pulled tube examination. Multiparameter algorithm developed at ANL, USA was

Eddy current technology for heat exchanger and steam generator tube inspection

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Obrutsky, L.; Lepine, B.; Lu, J.; Cassidy, R.; Carter, J. [Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Chalk River, Ontario (Canada)

2004-07-01

A variety of degradation modes can affect the integrity of both heat exchanger (HX) and balance of plant tubing, resulting in expensive repairs, tube plugging or replacement of tube bundles. One key component for ensuring tube integrity is inspection and monitoring for detection and characterization of the degradation. In-service inspection of HX and balance of plant tubing is usually carried out using eddy current (EC) bobbin coils, which are adequate for the detection of volumetric degradations. However, detection and quantification of additional modes of degradation such as pitting, intergranular attack (IGA), axial cracking and circumferential cracking require specialized probes. The need for timely, reliable detection and characterization of these modes of degradation is especially critical in Nuclear Generating Stations. Transmit-receive single-pass array probes, developed by AECL, offer high defect detectability in conjunction with fast and reliable inspection capabilities. They have strong directional properties, permitting probe optimization for circumferential or axial crack detection. Compared to impedance probes, they offer improved performance in the presence of variable lift-off. This EC technology can help resolve critical detection issues at susceptible areas, such as the rolled-joint transitions at the tubesheet, U-bends and tube-support intersections. This paper provides an overview of the operating principles and the capabilities of advanced ET inspection technology available for HX tube inspection. Examples of recent application of this technology in Nuclear Generating Stations (NGSs) are discussed. (author)

Eddy current technology for heat exchanger and steam generator tube inspection

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Obrutsky, L.; Lepine, B.; Lu, J.; Cassidy, R.; Carter, J.

2004-01-01

A variety of degradation modes can affect the integrity of both heat exchanger (HX) and balance of plant tubing, resulting in expensive repairs, tube plugging or replacement of tube bundles. One key component for ensuring tube integrity is inspection and monitoring for detection and characterization of the degradation. In-service inspection of HX and balance of plant tubing is usually carried out using eddy current (EC) bobbin coils, which are adequate for the detection of volumetric degradations. However, detection and quantification of additional modes of degradation such as pitting, intergranular attack (IGA), axial cracking and circumferential cracking require specialized probes. The need for timely, reliable detection and characterization of these modes of degradation is especially critical in Nuclear Generating Stations. Transmit-receive single-pass array probes, developed by AECL, offer high defect detectability in conjunction with fast and reliable inspection capabilities. They have strong directional properties, permitting probe optimization for circumferential or axial crack detection. Compared to impedance probes, they offer improved performance in the presence of variable lift-off. This EC technology can help resolve critical detection issues at susceptible areas, such as the rolled-joint transitions at the tubesheet, U-bends and tube-support intersections. This paper provides an overview of the operating principles and the capabilities of advanced ET inspection technology available for HX tube inspection. Examples of recent application of this technology in Nuclear Generating Stations (NGSs) are discussed. (author)

Integrity Analysis of Damaged Steam Generator Tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stanic, D.

1998-01-01

Variety of degradation mechanisms affecting steam generator tubes makes steam generators as one of the critical components in the nuclear power plants. Depending of their nature, degradation mechanisms cause different types of damages. It requires performance of extensive integrity analysis in order to access various conditions of crack behavior under operating and accidental conditions. Development and application of advanced eddy current techniques for steam generator examination provide good characterization of found damages. Damage characteristics (shape, orientation and dimensions) may be defined and used for further evaluation of damage influence on tube integrity. In comparison with experimental and analytical methods, numerical methods are also efficient tools for integrity assessment. Application of finite element methods provides relatively simple modeling of different type of damages and simulation of various operating conditions. The stress and strain analysis may be performed for elastic and elasto-plastic state with good ability for visual presentation of results. Furthermore, the fracture mechanics parameters may be calculated. Results obtained by numerical analysis supplemented with experimental results are the base for definition of alternative plugging criteria which may significantly reduce the number of plugged tubes. (author)

Research perspectives on the evaluation of steam generator tube integrity

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Muscara, J.; Diercks, D.R.; Majumdar, S.; Kupperman, D.S.; Bakhtiari, S.; Shack, W.J.

2002-01-01

Industry efforts have been largely successful in managing degradation of steam generator tubes due to wastage, pitting, and denting, but fretting, stress corrosions cracking (SCC) and intergranular attack have proved more difficult to manage. Although steam generator replacements are proceeding, there is substantial industry interest in operating with degraded steam generators, and significant numbers of plants will continue to do so. In most cases degradation of steam generator tubing by stress corrosion cracking is still managed by 'plug or repair on detection' because current NDE techniques for characterization of flaws and the knowledge of SCC crack growth rates are not accurate enough to permit continued operation. Replacement generators with improved designs and materials have performed well to date, but previous experience with the appearance of some types of SCC in Alloy 600 after 10 years or more of operation and laboratory results suggest additional understanding of corrosion performance of these materials is needed. This paper reviews some of the historical background that underlies current steam generator degradation management strategies and outlines some of the additional research that must be done to provide more effective management of degradation in current generators and provide greater assurance of satisfactory performance in replacement steam generators. (author)

Potential steam generator tube rupture in the presence of severe accident thermal challenge and tube flaws due to foreign object wear

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Liao, Y.; Guentay, S.

2009-01-01

This study develops a methodology to assess the probability for the degraded PWR steam generator to rupture first in the reactor coolant pressure boundary, under severe accident conditions with counter-current natural circulating high temperature gas in the hot leg and SG tubes. The considered SG tube flaws are caused by foreign object wear, which in recent years has emerged as a major inservice degradation mechanism for the new generation tubing materials. The first step develops the statistical distributions for the flaw frequency, size, and the flaw location with respect to the tube length and the tube's tubesheet position, based on data of hundreds of flaws reported in numerous SG inservice inspection reports. The next step performs thermal-hydraulic analysis using the MELCOR code and recent CFD findings to predict the thermal challenge to the degraded tubes and the tube-to-tube difference in thermal response at the SG entrance. The final step applies the creep rupture models in the Monte Carlo random walk to test the potential for the degraded SG to rupture before the surge line. The mean and range of the SG tube rupture probability can be applied to estimate large early release frequency in probabilistic safety assessment.

An advanced tube wear and fatigue workstation to predict flow induced vibrations of steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gay, N.; Baratte, C.; Flesch, B.

1997-01-01

Flow induced tube vibration damage is a major concern for designers and operators of nuclear power plant steam generators (SG). The operating flow-induced vibrational behaviour has to be estimated accurately to allow a precise evaluation of the new safety margins in order to optimize the maintenance policy. For this purpose, an industrial 'Tube Wear and Fatigue Workstation', called 'GEVIBUS Workstation' and based on an advanced methodology for predictive analysis of flow-induced vibration of tube bundles subject to cross-flow has been developed at Electricite de France. The GEVIBUS Workstation is an interactive processor linking modules as: thermalhydraulic computation, parametric finite element builder, interface between finite element model, thermalhydraulic code and vibratory response computations, refining modelling of fluid-elastic and random forces, linear and non-linear dynamic response and the coupled fluid-structure system, evaluation of tube damage due to fatigue and wear, graphical outputs. Two practical applications are also presented in the paper; the first simulation refers to an experimental set-up consisting of a straight tube bundle subject to water cross-flow, while the second one deals with an industrial configuration which has been observed in some operating steam generators i.e., top tube support plate degradation. In the first case the GEVIBUS predictions in terms of tube displacement time histories and phase planes have been found in very good agreement with experiment. In the second application the GEVIBUS computation showed that a tube with localized degradation is much more stable than a tube located in an extended degradation zone. Important conclusions are also drawn concerning maintenance. (author)

Characteristics of U-tube assembly design for CANDU 6 type steam generators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Park, Jun Su; Jeong, Seung Ha

1996-06-01

Since the first operation of nuclear steam generator early 1960s, its performance requirements have been met but the steam generator problems have been met but the steam generator problems have been major cause of reducing the operational reliability, plant safety and availability. U-tube assembly of steam generator forms the primary system pressure boundary of the plant and have experienced several types of tube degradation problems. Tube failure and leakage resulting from the degradation will cause radioactive contamination of secondary system by the primary coolant, and this may lead to unplanned plant outages and costly repair operations such as tube plugging or steam generator replacement. For the case of steam generators for heavy water reactors, e.g. Wolsong 2, 3, and 4 NPP, a high cost of heavy water will be imposed additionally. During the plant operation, steam generator tubes can potentially be subject to adverse environmental conditions which will cause damages to U-tube assembly. Types of the damage depend upon the combined effects of design factors, materials and chemical environment of steam generator, and they are the pure water stress corrosion cracking, intergranular attack, pitting, wastage, denting, fretting and fatigue, etc. In this report, a comprehensive review of major design factors of recirculating steam generators has been performed against the potential tube damages. Then the design characteristics of CANDU-type Wolsong steam generator were investigated in detail, including tube material, thermalhydraulic aspects, tube-to-tubesheet joint, tube supports, water chemistry and sludge management. 9 tabs., 18 figs., 38 refs. (Author) .new

Strategy for assessment of WWER steam generator tube integrity. Report prepared within the framework of the coordinated research project on verification of WWER steam generator tube integrity

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2007-12-01

Steam generator heat exchanger tube degradations happen in WWER Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). The situation varies from country to country and from NPP to NPP. More severe degradation is observed in WWER-1000 NPPs than in case of WWER-440s. The reasons for these differences could be, among others, differences in heat exchanger tube material (chemical composition, microstructure, residual stresses), in thermal and mechanical loadings, as well as differences in water chemistry. However, WWER steam generators had not been designed for eddy current testing which is the usual testing method in steam generators of western PWRs. Moreover, their supplier provided neither adequate methodology and criteria nor equipment for planning and implementing In-Service Inspection (ISI). Consequently, WWER steam generator ISI infrastructure was established with delay. Even today, there are still big differences in the eddy current inspection strategy and practice as well as in the approach to steam generator heat exchanger tube structural integrity assessment (plugging criteria for defective tubes vary from 40 to 90% wall thickness degradation). Recognizing this situation, the WWER operating countries expressed their need for a joint effort to develop methodology to establish reasonable commonly accepted integrity assessment criteria for the heat exchanger tubes. The IAEA's programme related to steam generator life management is embedded into the systematic activity of its Technical Working Group on Life Management of Nuclear Power Plants (TWG-LMNPP). Under the advice of the TWG-LMNPP, an IAEA coordinated research project (CRP) on Verification of WWER Steam Generator Tube Integrity was launched in 2001. It was completed in 2005. Thirteen organizations involved in in-service inspection of steam generators in WWER operating countries participated: Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Hungary, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine, and the USA. The overall objective was to

Steam generator tube fitness-for-service guidelines

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gorman, J.A.; Harris, J.E.; Lowenstein, D.B.

1995-07-01

The objectives of this project were to characterize defect mechanisms which could affect the integrity of steam generator tubes, to review and critique state-of-the-art Canadian and international steam generator tube fitness-for-service criteria and guidelines, and to obtain recommendations for criteria that could be used to assess fitness-for service guidelines for steam generator tubes containing defects in Canadian power plant service. Degradation mechanisms, that could affect CANDU steam generator tubes in Canada, have been characterized. The design standards and safety criteria that apply to steam generator tubing in nuclear power plant service in Canada and in Belgium, France, Japan, Spain, Sweden, and the USA have been reviewed and described. The fitness-for-service guidelines used for a variety of specific defect types in Canada and internationally have been evaluated and described in detail in order to highlight the considerations involved in developing such defect specific guidelines. Existing procedures for defect assessment and disposition have been identified, including inspection and examination practices. The approaches used in Canada and in Belgium, France, Japan, Spain, Sweden, and the USA for fitness-for-service guidelines were compared and contrasted for a variety of defect mechanisms. The strengths and weaknesses of the various approaches have been assessed. The report presents recommendations on approaches that may be adopted in the development of fitness-for-service guidelines for use in the dispositioning of steam generator tubing defects in Canada. (author). 175 refs., 2 tabs., 28 figs

Define optimal conditions for steam generator tube integrity and an extended steam generator service life

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lu, Y.C.

2007-01-01

Steam generator (SG) tubing materials are susceptible to corrosion degradation in certain electrochemical corrosion potential regions in the presence of some aggressive ions. Because of the hideout of impurities, the local chemistry conditions in areas under sludge and inside SG crevices may be very aggressive with high concentrations of chlorides and other impurities. These areas are the locations where SG tubing materials are susceptible to degradation such as pitting, crevice corrosion, intergranular attack (IGA) and stress corrosion cracking (SCC). The corrosion susceptibility of each SG alloy is different and is a function of the electrochemical corrosion potential (ECP) and chemical environment. Electrochemical corrosion behaviors of major SG tube alloys were studied under some plausible aggressive crevice chemistry conditions. The possible hazardous conditions leading to SG tube degradation and the conditions, which can minimize SG tube degradation have been determined. Optimal operating conditions in the form of a 'Recommended ECP/pH zone' for minimizing corrosion degradation have been defined for all major SG tube materials, including Alloys 600, 800, 690 and 400, under CANDU SG operating and startup conditions. SCC tests and accelerated corrosion tests were carried out to verify and revise the recommended ECP/pH zones. This information is being incorporated into ChemAND, a system health monitor for plant chemistry management developed by AECL, which alloys utilities to evaluate the status of the SG alloys and to minimize SG material degradation by appropriate SG water chemistry management. (author)

A Study on the Profile Change Measurement of Steam Generator Tubes with Tube Expansion Methods

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Young Kyu; Song Myung Ho; Choi, Myung Sik

2011-01-01

Steam generator tubes for nuclear power plants contain the local shape transitions on their inner or outer surface such as dent, bulge, over-expansion, eccentricity, deflection, and so on by the application of physical force during the tube manufacturing and steam generator assembling and by the sludge (that is, corrosion products) produced during the plant operation. The structural integrity of tubes will be degraded by generating the corrosive crack at that location. The profilometry using the traditional bobbin probes which are currently applied for measuring the profile change of tubes gives us basic information such as axial locations and average magnitudes of deformations. However, the three-dimensional quantitative evaluation on circumferential locations, distributional angle, and size of deformations will have to be conducted to understand the effects of residual stresses increased by local deformations on corrosive cracking of tubes. Steam generator tubes of Korean standard nuclear power plants expanded within their tube-sheets by the explosive expansion method and suffered from corrosive cracks in the early stage of power operation. Thus, local deformations of steam generator tubes at the top of tube-sheet were measured with an advanced rotating probe and a laser profiling system for the two cases where the tubes expanded by the explosive expansion method and hydraulic expansion. Also, the trends of eccentricity, deflection, and over-expansion of tubes were evaluated. The advanced eddy current profilometry was confirmed to provide accurate information of local deformations compared with laser profilometry

Overview of steam generator tube-inspection technology

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Obrutsky, L.; Renaud, J.; Lakhan, R.

2014-01-01

Degradation of steam generator (SG) tubing due to both mechanical and corrosion modes has resulted in extensive repairs and replacement of SGs around the world. The variety of degradation modes challenges the integrity of SG tubing and, therefore, the stations' reliability. Inspection and monitoring aimed at timely detection and characterization of the degradation is a key element for ensuring tube integrity. Up to the early-70's, the in-service inspection of SG tubing was carried out using single-frequency eddy current testing (ET) bobbin coils, which were adequate for the detection of volumetric degradation. By the mid-80's, additional modes of degradation such as pitting, intergranular attack, and axial and circumferential inside or outside diameter stress corrosion cracking had to be addressed. The need for timely, fast detection and characterization of these diverse modes of degradation motivated the development in the 90's of inspection systems based on advanced probe technology coupled with versatile instruments operated by fast computers and remote communication systems. SG inspection systems have progressed in the new millennium to a much higher level of automation, efficiency and reliability. Also, the role of Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE) has evolved from simple detection tools to diagnostic tools that provide input into integrity assessment decisions, fitness-far-service and operational assessments. This new role was motivated by tighter regulatory requirements to assure the safety of the public and the environment, better SG life management strategies and often self-imposed regulations. It led to the development of advanced probe technologies, more reliable and versatile instruments and robotics, better training and qualification of personnel and better data management and analysis systems. This paper provides a brief historical perspective regarding the evolution of SG inspections and analyzes the motivations behind that evolution. It presents an

Evaluation on mechanical and corrosion properties of steam generator tubing materials

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, In Sup; Lee, Byong Whi; Lee, Sang Kyu; Lee, Young Ho; Kim, Jun Whan; Lee, Ju Seok; Kwon, Hyuk Sang; Kim, Su Jung

1998-06-01

Steam generator is one of the major components of nuclear reactor pressure boundary. It's main function os transferring heat which generated in the reactor to turbine generator through steam generator tube. In these days, steam generator tubing materials of operating plant are used Inconel 600 alloys. But according to the operation time, there are many degradation phenomena which included mechanical damage due to flow induced vibration and corrosion damage due to PWSCC, IGA/SCC and pitting etc. Recently Inconel 690 alloys are selected as new and replacement steam generator tubes for domestic nuclear power plant. But there are few study about mechanical and corrosion properties of Inconel 600 and 690. The objectives of this study is to evaluate and compare mechanical and corrosion propertied of steam generator tube materials

Evaluation on mechanical and corrosion properties of steam generator tubing materials

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kim, In Sup; Lee, Byong Whi; Lee, Sang Kyu; Lee, Young Ho; Kim, Jun Whan; Lee, Ju Seok; Kwon, Hyuk Sang; Kim, Su Jung [Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Taejon (Korea, Republic of)

1998-06-15

Steam generator is one of the major components of nuclear reactor pressure boundary. It's main function os transferring heat which generated in the reactor to turbine generator through steam generator tube. In these days, steam generator tubing materials of operating plant are used Inconel 600 alloys. But according to the operation time, there are many degradation phenomena which included mechanical damage due to flow induced vibration and corrosion damage due to PWSCC, IGA/SCC and pitting etc. Recently Inconel 690 alloys are selected as new and replacement steam generator tubes for domestic nuclear power plant. But there are few study about mechanical and corrosion properties of Inconel 600 and 690. The objectives of this study is to evaluate and compare mechanical and corrosion propertied of steam generator tube materials.

Plugging criteria for steam generator tubes with axial cracks near tube support plates

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mattar Neto, Miguel

2000-01-01

Stress corrosion cracking with intergranular attack occurs on the secondary side of steam generator (SG) tubes where impurities concentrate due to boiling under restricted flow conditions. In the most of cases, it can be called ODSCC (Outer Diameter Stress Corrosion Cracking). The typical locations are areas near support plates, in sludge piles and at top of tubesheet crevices. Though it can also occur on free spans under the relatively thin deposits that build up on the tube surfaces. ODSCC near tube plate supports have been the cause of plugging of many tubes. Thus, studies on SG tubes plugging criteria related to this degradation mechanism are presented in this paper. Th purpose is to avoid unnecessary tube plugging from either safety or reliability standpoint. Based on these studies some conclusions on the plugging criteria and on the difficulties to apply them are addressed. (author)

Steam Generator tube integrity -- US Nuclear Regulatory Commission perspective

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Murphy, E.L.; Sullivan, E.J.

1997-01-01

In the US, the current regulatory framework was developed in the 1970s when general wall thinning was the dominant degradation mechanism; and, as a result of changes in the forms of degradation being observed and improvements in inspection and tube repair technology, the regulatory framework needs to be updated. Operating experience indicates that the current U.S. requirements should be more stringent in some areas, while in other areas they are overly conservative. To date, this situation has been dealt with on a plant-specific basis in the US. However, the NRC staff is now developing a proposed steam generator rule as a generic framework for ensuring that the steam generator tubes are capable of performing their intended safety functions. This paper discusses the current U.S. regulatory framework for assuring steam generator (SG) tube integrity, the need to update this regulatory framework, the objectives of the new proposed rule, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulatory guide (RG) that will accompany the rule, how risk considerations affect the development of the new rule, and some outstanding issues relating to the rule that the NRC is still dealing with

Studies of the steam generator degraded tubes behavior on BRUTUS test loop

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chedeau, C.; Rassineux, B. [EDF/DER/MTC, Moret Sur Loing (France); Flesch, B. [EDF/EPN/DMAINT, Paris (France)] [and others

1997-04-01

Studies for the evaluation of steam generator tube bundle cracks in PWR power plants are described. Global tests of crack leak rates and numerical calculations of crack opening area are discussed in some detail. A brief overview of thermohydraulic studies and the development of a mechanical probabilistic design code is also given. The COMPROMIS computer code was used in the studies to quantify the influence of in-service inspections and maintenance work on the risk of a steam generator tube rupture.

Diagnosis of 3-dimensional geometry and stress corrosion cracking in steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lee, D.H.; Choi, M.S.; Hur, D.H.; Kim, K.M.; Han, J.H.; Song, M.H.

2015-01-01

Most of the corrosive degradations in steam generator tubes of nuclear power plants are closely related to the residual stress existing in the local region of a geometric change, that is, an expansion transition, u-bend, dent, bulge, etc. Therefore, accurate information on a geometric anomaly (precursor of degradation) in a tube is a prerequisite to the activity of pre- and in-service non destructive inspection for a precise and earlier detection of a defect in order to prevent a failure during an operation, and also for a root cause analysis of a failure. In this paper, a new diagnostic eddy current probe technology which has simultaneous dual function of a 3-dimensional geometry measurement and defect detection in steam generator tube is introduced. The D-Probe is a rotary type eddy current coil probe equipped with 3 different eddy current coil units (surface riding type plus-point and pancake coils for defect detection, and non-surface riding type shielded high frequency pancake coil for tube profile measurement). A specific data analysis software has been developed. By comparing the eddy current data from the defect with those from the geometric changes, the relationship between the degradation and geometric changes can be revealed. Also, it supplies information on tube location at which defect is most probable and thus, a more efficient detection of earlier degradation. The use of D-probe and analysis software has been demonstrated for steam generator tubes with various geometric anomalies in manufacturing and operating nuclear power plants

Predicting tube repair at French nuclear steam generators using statistical modeling

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mathon, C., E-mail: cedric.mathon@edf.fr [EDF Generation, Basic Design Department (SEPTEN), 69628 Villeurbanne (France); Chaudhary, A. [EDF Generation, Basic Design Department (SEPTEN), 69628 Villeurbanne (France); Gay, N.; Pitner, P. [EDF Generation, Nuclear Operation Division (UNIE), Saint-Denis (France)

2014-04-01

Electricité de France (EDF) currently operates a total of 58 Nuclear Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) which are composed of 34 units of 900 MWe, 20 units of 1300 MWe and 4 units of 1450 MWe. This report provides an overall status of SG tube bundles on the 1300 MWe units. These units are 4 loop reactors using the AREVA 68/19 type SG model which are equipped either with Alloy 600 thermally treated (TT) tubes or Alloy 690 TT tubes. As of 2011, the effective full power years of operation (EFPY) ranges from 13 to 20 and during this time, the main degradation mechanisms observed on SG tubes are primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) and wear at anti-vibration bars (AVB) level. Statistical models have been developed for each type of degradation in order to predict the growth rate and number of affected tubes. Additional plugging is also performed to prevent other degradations such as tube wear due to foreign objects or high-cycle flow-induced fatigue. The contribution of these degradation mechanisms on the rate of tube plugging is described. The results from the statistical models are then used in predicting the long-term life of the steam generators and therefore providing a useful tool toward their effective life management and possible replacement.

Overview of steam generator tube-inspection technology

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Obrutsky, L.; Renaud, J.; Lakhan, R., E-mail: obrutskl@aecl.ca, E-mail: renaudj@aecl.ca, E-mail: lakhanr@aecl.ca [Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Chalk River, Ontario (Canada)

2014-03-15

Degradation of steam generator (SG) tubing due to both mechanical and corrosion modes has resulted in extensive repairs and replacement of SGs around the world. The variety of degradation modes challenges the integrity of SG tubing and, therefore, the stations' reliability. Inspection and monitoring aimed at timely detection and characterization of the degradation is a key element for ensuring tube integrity. Up to the early-70's, the in-service inspection of SG tubing was carried out using single-frequency eddy current testing (ET) bobbin coils, which were adequate for the detection of volumetric degradation. By the mid-80's, additional modes of degradation such as pitting, intergranular attack, and axial and circumferential inside or outside diameter stress corrosion cracking had to be addressed. The need for timely, fast detection and characterization of these diverse modes of degradation motivated the development in the 90's of inspection systems based on advanced probe technology coupled with versatile instruments operated by fast computers and remote communication systems. SG inspection systems have progressed in the new millennium to a much higher level of automation, efficiency and reliability. Also, the role of Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE) has evolved from simple detection tools to diagnostic tools that provide input into integrity assessment decisions, fitness-far-service and operational assessments. This new role was motivated by tighter regulatory requirements to assure the safety of the public and the environment, better SG life management strategies and often self-imposed regulations. It led to the development of advanced probe technologies, more reliable and versatile instruments and robotics, better training and qualification of personnel and better data management and analysis systems. This paper provides a brief historical perspective regarding the evolution of SG inspections and analyzes the motivations behind that

Improved in-service inspection program for management of degradation in steam generator tubing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kurtz, R.; Heasler, P.; Muscara, J.

1992-01-01

This paper presents an overview of significant results from NRC-sponsored research on steam generator tube integrity and inspection. Burst test results are described along with empirical models to relate flaw geometry and size to tube burst pressure. Results of round robin examinations of a retired-from-service steam generator to determine eddy current inspection reliability are presented. An evaluation and comparison of various sampling plans for in-service inspection of steam generators is discussed. Finally, performance demonstration qualification efforts for eddy current inspection systems are described

Evaluation of sampling plans for in-service inspection of steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kurtz, R.J.; Heasler, P.G.; Baird, D.B.

1994-02-01

This report summarizes the results of three previous studies to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of sampling plans for steam generator tube inspections. An analytical evaluation and Monte Carlo simulation techniques were the methods used to evaluate sampling plan performance. To test the performance of candidate sampling plans under a variety of conditions, ranges of inspection system reliability were considered along with different distributions of tube degradation. Results from the eddy current reliability studies performed with the retired-from-service Surry 2A steam generator were utilized to guide the selection of appropriate probability of detection and flaw sizing models for use in the analysis. Different distributions of tube degradation were selected to span the range of conditions that might exist in operating steam generators. The principal means of evaluating sampling performance was to determine the effectiveness of the sampling plan for detecting and plugging defective tubes. A summary of key results from the eddy current reliability studies is presented. The analytical and Monte Carlo simulation analyses are discussed along with a synopsis of key results and conclusions

Steam generator tube extraction

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Delorme, H.

1985-05-01

To enable tube examination on steam generators in service, Framatome has now developed a process for removing sections of steam generator tubes. Tube sections can be removed without being damaged for treating the tube section expanded in the tube sheet

Steam Generator Tube Integrity Program: Surry Steam Generator Project, Hanford site, Richland, Benton County, Washington: Environmental assessment

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1980-03-01

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has placed a Nuclear Regulatory Research Order with the Richland Operations Office of the US Department of Energy (DOE) for expanded investigations at the DOE Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) related to defective pressurized water reactor (PWR) steam generator tubing. This program, the Steam Generator Tube Integrity (SGTI) program, is sponsored by the Metallurgy and Materials Research Branch of the NRC Division of Reactor Safety Research. This research and testing program includes an additional task requiring extensive investigation of a degraded, out-of-service steam generator from a commercial nuclear power plant. This comprehensive testing program on an out-of-service generator will provide NRC with timely and valuable information related to pressurized water reactor primary system integrity and degradation with time. This report presents the environmental assessment of the removal, transport, and testing of the steam generator along with decontamination/decommissioning plans

Analytical TEM of service-induced SCC in alloy 600TT steam generator tubing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wolfe, R.; Legras, L.; Boccanfuso; Martin, A.

2015-01-01

In 2008, Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Unit 1 performed tube pulls to confirm outside diameter stress corrosion cracking (ODSCC) in a steam generator with thermally treated Alloy 600TT tubing. Subsequent metallographic and other laboratory work attributed the cracking to the non-optimal microstructure of the tubing and the elevated residual stresses at the expansion transition. In the current work, analytical transmission electron microscopy was performed to gain a better understanding of this in-service cracking through a detailed characterization of the oxides and crack tips. These examinations, which are the first of this kind for U.S. Alloy 600TT tubing service cracks, detected lead (Pb) in the region of the top-of-tube sheet crevice, in oxides at the crack tips, and at degraded grain boundaries. In addition, sulfur was observed in oxides on the outside surface of the tube in the free span area. The presence of Pb at the crack tip and the lack of plasticity on the observed failure surfaces suggest that the environment played a predominant role in the cracking of this tubing with a non-optimal microstructure. The significance of the degradation will be discussed in the context of overall corrosion indications in Alloy 600TT steam generators in the United States. (authors)

Wear on Plugged Tube due to the Foreign Objects on the Secondary Side of Steam Generator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Hyung Nam; Cho, Nam Cheoul; Nam, Min Woo

2013-01-01

In this paper, the changes of the tube frequency and amplitude are introduced before and after plugging. The amplitude of the bottom span for the steam generator tube is not much changed after tube plugging. Moreover, the contact force between the plugged tube and the foreign object is the same as that of intact tube and the foreign object. However, the frequencies of plugged tubes are about 9∼12% higher than those of intact tubes. That means the wear due to the foreign object would be accelerated after the tube plugging. Therefore, the tube stabilizer should be installed when the tube is plugged due to the foreign object wear. The tube wall of steam generator is a pressure boundary between the coolant of the primary system and the feedwater of the secondary system. It is very important to insure the structural integrity of the tubes because the radioactive coolant is flow into the feedwater due to the pressure difference as the result of tube failure. The degradations of steam generator tubes are corrosion, wear, fatigue and foreign object wear, etc. The foreign object wear is one of mechanical degradation due to materials flew into the secondary side of steam generator. The steam generator tubes, estimated not to insure structural integrity from the results of the nondestructive evaluation such as eddy current test and visual inspection, are excluded from the service with plugging. However, the tube wear is still being progressed after the plugging because the relative motion between the tube and structure is still existed due to the secondary side flow in the steam generator. If the tube is completely cut because of the degradation, the tube can be a stress or of failure of tubes around the plugged tube. The contact force between the structure and tube is lowered as the wear is progressed. However, the contact force between the foreign object and tube is not changed as the wear is progressed. Therefore, the structural integrity of tubes around the foreign

Nuclear steam generator tube to tubesheet joint optimization

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

McGregor, Rod

1999-01-01

Industry-wide problems with Stress Corrosion Cracking in the Nuclear Steam Generator tube-to-tubesheet joint have led to costly repairs, plugging, and replacement of entire vessels. To improve corrosion resistance, new and replacement Steam Generator developments typically employ the hydraulic tube expansion process (full depth) to minimize tensile residual stresses and cold work at the critical transition zone between the expanded and unexpanded tube. These variables have undergone detailed study using specialized X-ray diffraction and analytical techniques. Responding to increased demands from Nuclear Steam Generator operators and manufacturers to credit the leak-tightness and strength contributions of the hydraulic expansion, various experimental tasks with complimentary analytical modelling were applied to improve understanding and control of tube to hole contact pressure. With careful consideration to residual stress impact, design for strength/leak tightness optimization addresses: Experimentally determined minimum contact pressure levels necessary to preclude incipient leakage into the tube/hole interface. The degradation of contact pressure at surrounding expansions caused by the sequential expansion process. The transient and permanent contact pressure variation associated with tubesheet hole dilation during Steam Generator operation. An experimental/analytical simulation has been developed to reproduce cyclic Steam Generator operating strains on the tubesheet and expanded joint. Leak tightness and pullout tests were performed during and following simulated Steam Generator operating transients. The overall development has provided a comprehensive understanding of the fabrication and in-service mechanics of hydraulically expanded joints. Based on this, the hydraulic expansion process can be optimized with respect to critical residual stress/cold work and the strength/leakage barrier criteria. (author)

Fracture mechanics analysis of the steam generator tube after shot peening

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shin, Kyu In; Jhung, Myung Jo; Choi, Young Hwan; Park, Jai Hak

2003-01-01

One of the main degradation of steam generator tubes is stress corrosion cracking induced by residual stress. The resulting damages can cause tube bursting or leakage of the primary water which contained radioactivity. Primary water stress corrosion crack occurs at the location of tube/tubesheet hard rolled transition zone. In order to investigate the effect of shot peening on stress corrosion cracking, stress intensity factors are calculated for the crack which is located in the induced residual stress field

Regression analysis of pulsed eddy current signals for inspection of steam generator tube support structures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Buck, J.; Underhill, P.R.; Mokros, S.G.; Morelli, J.; Krause, T.W.; Babbar, V.K.; Lepine, B.

2015-01-01

Nuclear steam generator (SG) support structure degradation and fouling can result in damage to SG tubes and loss of SG efficiency. Conventional eddy current technology is extensively used to detect cracks, frets at supports and other flaws, but has limited capabilities in the presence of multiple degradation modes or fouling. Pulsed eddy current (PEC) combined with principal components analysis (PCA) and multiple linear regression models was examined for the inspection of support structure degradation and SG tube off-centering with the goal of extending results to include additional degradation modes. (author)

A study of the effect of maintenance on the safety of a mechanical system subject to aging and its application to steam generator tube degradation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dussarte, D.

1991-11-01

The different degradation mechanisms to which pressurized water reactor steam generator tubes are observed to be subject may result in the risk of their rupture being greater than anticipated. Prevention of tube rupture essentially consists of inspections during outages of the units and applying appropriate criteria for the withdrawal of defective tubes from service. Planning such measures implies being able to gauge the effectiveness of the action taken. This document describes a proposed technique for quantifying the effects of the preventive maintenance we have had to develop to address this problem and, hence, to obtain material for assessing the action taken by the utility. (author)

Performance demonstration requirements for eddy current steam generator tube inspection

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kurtz, R.J.; Heasler, P.G.; Anderson, C.M.

1992-10-01

This paper describes the methodology used for developing performance demonstration tests for steam generator tube eddy current (ET) inspection systems. The methodology is based on statistical design principles. Implementation of a performance demonstration test based on these design principles will help to ensure that field inspection systems have a high probability of detecting and correctly sizing tube degradation. The technical basis for the ET system performance thresholds is presented. Probability of detection and flaw sizing tests are described

Using MAAP 4.0 to determine risks from steam generator tube leaks or ruptures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fuller, E.L.; Kenton, M.A.

1996-01-01

As part of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) program on steam generator degradation specific management (SGDSM), the nuclear industry is investigating the effects on plant risk of severe accidents involving steam generator tube leaks or ruptures. Such accidents fall into three classes: those caused by spontaneous, steam generator tube ruptures (SGTRs) that subsequently result in core damage; those caused by design-basis accidents that lead to induced tube ruptures and subsequent core damage; and those that progress to core damage, such as a station blackout (SBO), with subsequent induced tube leakage or rupture. In each case, the potential exists for a significant fraction of the fission products released from a damaged core to reach the environment through the leaking or ruptured tubes

Preventing degradation and in-service inspection of NPP steam generator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ding Xunshen

1999-01-01

The author describes the degradation of steam generator tubes in initial operating stage of France NPP. The author emphatically presents the preventive measures to tackle degradation and In-service inspection of Daya Bay NPP 1 unit as a guarantee of safety operation, including secondary side water chemistry monitoring and controlling, leakage rate monitoring, eddy-current inspection, mechanical cleaning, cleanliness inspection, foreign objects removal and etc

Material reliability of Ni alloy electrodeposition for steam generator tube repair

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Dong Jin; Kim, Myong Jin; Kim, Joung Soo; Kim, Hong Pyo

2007-01-01

Due to the occasional occurrences of Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) in steam generator tubing (Alloy 600), degraded tubes are removed from service by plugging or are repaired for re-use. Since electrodeposition inside a tube dose not entail parent tube deformation, residual stress in the tube can be minimized. In this work, tube restoration via electrodeposition inside a steam generator tubing was performed after developing the following: an anode probe to be installed inside a tube, a degreasing condition to remove dirt and grease, an activation condition for surface oxide elimination, a tightly adhered strike layer forming condition between the electroforming layer and the Alloy 600 tube, and the condition for an electroforming layer. The reliability of the electrodeposited material, with a variation of material properties, was evaluated as a function of the electrodeposit position in the vertical direction of a tube using the developed anode. It has been noted that the variation of the material properties along the electrodeposit length was acceptable in a process margin. To improve the reliability of a material property, the causes of the variation occurrence were presumed, and an attempt to minimize the variation has been made. A Ni alloy electrodeposition process is suggested as a Primary Water Stress Corrosion Cracking (PWSCC) mitigation method for various components, including steam generator tubes. The Ni alloy electrodeposit formed inside a tube by using the installed assembly shows proper material properties as well as an excellent SCC resistance

A Comparison of the Predicted Tube Plugging Rate for Alloy 600HTMA Steam Generator

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Boo, Myung Hwan; Kang, Yong Seok [Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co., Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)

2010-10-15

To manage components that are used in long term operations such as steam generation, it is important to know the tube plugging rate, which can cause the performance degradation. The life of components can be predicted by the method using determinism and probability theory. With a method using probability theory, damage prediction of tube is possible. In this study, damage prediction for steam generation (SG) tube is performed using Weibull distribution and predicted plugging rate (life) is compared with the simple sum plugging number and case by case (failure cause) plugging number

Round robin tests of the PISC III programme on defective steam generators tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Birac, C.; Herkenrath, H.; Crutzen, S.; Miyake, Y.; Maciga, G.

1991-11-01

The PISC III actions are intended to extend the results and methodologies of the previous PISC exercises, i.e. the assessment of the capabilities of the various examination techniques when used on real or realistic flaws in real components under real conditions of inspection. Being aware of the industrial problems that the degradation of steam generator tubes can create, the PISC III management board decided to include in the PISC III programme a special action on steam generator tubes testing (SGT). (author)

Technical basis for the CANDU steam generator tube fitness-for-service guidelines

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kozluk, M.J.; Scarth, D.A.; Graham, D.B.

2002-01-01

Active degradation mechanisms in steam generators and preheaters in Canadian CANDU T M generating stations are managed through Steam Generator Programs that incorporate tube inspection, maintenance (cleaning), fitness-for-service assessment, and preventative plugging as part of the overall steam generator management strategy. Steam generator and preheater tubes are inspected in accordance with the CSA Standard CAN/CSA-N285.4-94[l]. When a detected flaw indication does not satisfy the criteria of acceptance by examination, CSA-N285.4-94 permits a fitness-for-service assessment to determine acceptability. In 1999 Ontario Power Generation issued, for trial use, fitness-for-service guidelines for steam generator and preheater tubes in CANDU nuclear power plants. The main objectives of the Fitness-for-Service Guidelines are to provide reasonable assurance that tube structural integrity is maintained, and to provide reasonable assurance that there are adequate margins between estimated accumulated dose and applicable site dose limits. The Fitness-for-Service Guidelines are intended to provide industry-standard acceptance criteria and evaluation procedures for assessing the condition of steam generator and preheater tubes in terms of tube structural integrity, operational leak rate, and consequential leakage during an upset or abnormal event. This paper describes the technical basis for the minimum required safety factors specified in Table IC-1 of the Fitness-for-Service Guidelines and for the flaw models used to develop the flaw stability requirements in the nonmandatory, Appendix C of the Fitness-for-Service Guidelines. (author)

Steam generator tube performance. Experience with water-cooled nuclear power reactors during 1985

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tatone, O.S.; Tapping, R.L.

1988-12-01

The performance of steam generator tubes at water-cooled reactors during 1985 has been reviewed. Seventy-three of 168 reactors in the survey experienced tube degradation sufficient for the tubes to be plugged. The number of tubes plugged was 6837 or 0.28% of those in service. The leading cause of tube failure was stress corrosion cracking from the primary side. Stress corrosion cracking or intergranular attack from the secondary side and pitting were also major causes of tube failure. Unlike most previous years, fretting was a substantial problem at some reactors. Overall, corrosion continued to account for more than 80% of the defects. 20 refs

A survey on the corrosion susceptibility of Alloy 800 CANDU steam generator tubing materials

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lu, Y.C.; Dupuis, M.; Burns, D.

2008-01-01

To provide support for a proactive steam generator (SG) aging management strategy, a survey on the corrosion susceptibility of the archived Alloy 800 tubing from CANDU SGs under plausible crevice chemistry conditions was conducted to assess the potential material degradation issues in CANDU SGs. Archived Alloy 800 samples were collected from four CANDU utilities. High-temperature electrochemical analysis was carried out to assess the corrosion susceptibility of the archived SG tubing under simulated CANDU crevice chemistry conditions at both 150 o C and 300 o C. The potentiodynamic polarization results obtained from the archived CANDU SG tubes were compared to the data from ex-service tubes removed from Darlington Nuclear Generating Station (DNGS) SGs and a reference nuclear grade Alloy 800 tubing. It was found that the removed Darlington SG tubes, with signs of in-service degradation, were more susceptible to pitting corrosion than the reference nuclear grade Alloy 800 tubing. At 150 o C, under the same neutral crevice chemistry conditions, the potentiodynamic polarization curve of the ex-service Darlington SG tubing has an active peak, which is a sign of propensity to crevice/underdeposit corrosion. This active peak was not observed in any of the potentiodynamic polarization curves of all archived Alloy 800 CANDU SG tubing indicating that archived CANDU SG tubes are less susceptible to the underdeposit corrosion under SG startup conditions. The corrosion behaviour of the archived Alloy 800 tubes from CANDU SG was similar to that of the reference nuclear grade Alloy 800 tubing. The results of this survey suggest that the Alloy 800 tubing materials used in the existing CANDU utilities (other than ex-service DNGS tubing) will continue to have reliable performance under specified CANDU operating conditions. Ex-service SG tubing from DNGS, although showing lower than average corrosion resistance, still has a wide acceptable operating margin and the in

PWR steam generators tube integrity: plugging criteria for PWSCC in roll transition zone

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mattar Neto, Miguel; Cruz, Julio R.B.

1999-01-01

One of the most important causes for tube plugging in PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor) steam generators is the degradation mechanism called Primary Water Stress Corrosion Cracking (PWSCC) in roll transition zone (RTZ) near the tubesheet, mainly for Alloy 600 tubes. To avoid an excessive tube plugging, alternative criteria have been developed based on an approach that consists in withdrawing from service any tube containing a defect for which there is a high probability of a critical size under accident conditions to be reached during next operation cycle. Predictions of the number of tubes to be plugged can be done aiming at preventive maintenance and tube repair, and even a steam generator replacement, without a large and non-planned plant outage. This work presents important aspects related to tube plugging criteria for PWSCC in RTZ based on the risk of break after a leak detection. Calculations of allowable crack length and allowable leak rate for a particular situation are also shown. (author)

A reappraisal of steam generator tube rupture in the French licensing process

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Conte, M.; Gouffon, A.; Moriette, P.

1984-10-01

Upon the examination of the safety options submitted by EDF (Electricite de France) for a new pressurized water reactor design (N4, 1400 MWe), the French safety authorities decided that the conventionnal list of events to take under consideration should be amended as follows: failure of 1 and 2 steam generator tubes. To meet these objectives, design improvements were decided and new operating criteria were required by the technical specifications. Various preventive measures have been adopted by EDF to reduce tube degradation risks at the design stage, at the secondary feedwater quality level, and concerning also the quality control. The radiological consequences of generator tube integrity failure can be mitigated if the primary coolant activity is low, the tube flow detection is rapid, the release time is short, and the operating procedure is suitable and easily implemented [fr

Proceedings of the CNRA/CSNI workshop on steam generator tube integrity in nuclear power plants

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Diercks, D.R.

1997-02-01

The objective of the workshop was to provide a working forum for the exchange of information by contributing experts on current issues related to PWR steam generator tube integrity. One hundred persons from 15 countries attended the workshop, including 36 from regulatory and nuclear policy agencies, 28 from research and development laboratories, 18 from nuclear vendors and consulting firms, and 18 from electrical utilities. The workshop opened with a plenary session; the first part of the session covered international steam generator regulatory practices and issues, featuring speakers from regulatory bodies in Belgium, France, Japan, Spain, and the US. In Part 2 of the plenary session, comprehensive technical overviews on steam generator tubing degradation, inspection, and integrity were presented by authorities in these fields from the US, France, and Belgium. Parallel working sessions on the second and third days of the workshop then developed findings and recommendations in the areas of (1) tubing degradation, (2) tubing inspection, (3) tubing integrity, (4) preventative and corrective measures, and (5) operational aspects and risk analysis. On the final day of the workshop, the working-session facilitators presented summaries of their sessions to the workshop attendees. Selected papers are indexed separately for inclusion in the Energy Science and Technology Database

Proceedings of the CNRA/CSNI workshop on steam generator tube integrity in nuclear power plants

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Diercks, D.R. [Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)

1997-02-01

The objective of the workshop was to provide a working forum for the exchange of information by contributing experts on current issues related to PWR steam generator tube integrity. One hundred persons from 15 countries attended the workshop, including 36 from regulatory and nuclear policy agencies, 28 from research and development laboratories, 18 from nuclear vendors and consulting firms, and 18 from electrical utilities. The workshop opened with a plenary session; the first part of the session covered international steam generator regulatory practices and issues, featuring speakers from regulatory bodies in Belgium, France, Japan, Spain, and the US. In Part 2 of the plenary session, comprehensive technical overviews on steam generator tubing degradation, inspection, and integrity were presented by authorities in these fields from the US, France, and Belgium. Parallel working sessions on the second and third days of the workshop then developed findings and recommendations in the areas of (1) tubing degradation, (2) tubing inspection, (3) tubing integrity, (4) preventative and corrective measures, and (5) operational aspects and risk analysis. On the final day of the workshop, the working-session facilitators presented summaries of their sessions to the workshop attendees. Selected papers are indexed separately for inclusion in the Energy Science and Technology Database.

Double wall steam generator tubing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Padden, T.R.; Uber, C.F.

1983-01-01

Double-walled steam generator tubing for the steam generators of a liquid metal cooled fast breeder reactor prevents sliding between the surfaces due to a mechanical interlock. Forces resulting from differential thermal expansion between the outer tube and the inner tube are insufficient in magnitude to cause shearing of base metal. The interlock is formed by jointly drawing the tubing, with the inside wall of the outer tube being already formed with grooves. The drawing causes the outer wall of the inner tube to form corrugations locking with the grooves. (author)

Steam Generator Analysis Tools and Modeling of Degradation Mechanisms

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yetisir, M.; Pietralik, J.; Tapping, R.L.

2004-01-01

The degradation of steam generators (SGs) has a significant effect on nuclear heat transport system effectiveness and the lifetime and overall efficiency of a nuclear power plant. Hence, quantification of the effects of degradation mechanisms is an integral part of a SG degradation management strategy. Numerical analysis tools such as THIRST, a 3-dimensional (3D) thermal hydraulics code for recirculating SGs; SLUDGE, a 3D sludge prediction code; CHECWORKS a flow-accelerated corrosion prediction code for nuclear piping, PIPO-FE, a SG tube vibration code; and VIBIC and H3DMAP, 3D non-linear finite-element codes to predict SG tube fretting wear can be used to assess the impacts of various maintenance activities on SG thermal performance. These tools are also found to be invaluable at the design stage to influence the design by determining margins or by helping the designers minimize or avoid known degradation mechanisms. In this paper, the aforementioned numerical tools and their application to degradation mechanisms in CANDU recirculating SGs are described. In addition, the following degradation mechanisms are identified and their effect on SG thermal efficiency and lifetime are quantified: primary-side fouling, secondary-side fouling, fretting wear, and flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC). Primary-side tube inner diameter fouling has been a major contributor to SG thermal degradation. Using the results of thermalhydraulic analysis and field data, fouling margins are calculated. Individual effects of primary- and secondary-side fouling are separated through analyses, which allow station operators to decide what type of maintenance activity to perform and when to perform the maintenance activity. Prediction of the fretting-wear rate of tubes allows designers to decide on the number and locations of support plates and U-bend supports. The prediction of FAC rates for SG internals allows designers to select proper materials, and allows operators to adjust the SG maintenance

Eddy Current Signature Classification of Steam Generator Tube Defects Using A Learning Vector Quantization Neural Network

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Garcia, Gabe V.

2005-01-01

A major cause of failure in nuclear steam generators is degradation of their tubes. Although seven primary defect categories exist, one of the principal causes of tube failure is intergranular attack/stress corrosion cracking (IGA/SCC). This type of defect usually begins on the secondary side surface of the tubes and propagates both inwards and laterally. In many cases this defect is found at or near the tube support plates

Steam generator tube degradation at the Doel 4 plant influence on plant operation and safety

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Scheveneels, G.

1997-01-01

The steam generator tubes of Doel 4 are affected by a multitude of corrosion phenomena. Some of them have been very difficult to manage because of their extremely fast evolution, non linear evolution behavior or difficult detectability and/or measurability. The exceptional corrosion behavior of the steam generator tubes has had its drawbacks on plant operation and safety. Extensive inspection and repair campaigns have been necessary and have largely increased outage times and radiation exposure to personnel. Although considerable effort was invested by the utility to control corrosion problems, non anticipated phenomena and/or evolution have jeopardized plant safety. The extensive plugging and repairs performed on the steam generators have necessitated continual review of the design basis safety studies and the adaptation of the protection system setpoints. The large asymmetric plugging has further complicated these reviews. During the years many preventive and recently also defence measures have been implemented by the utility to manage corrosion and to decrease the probability and consequences of single or multiple tube rupture. The present state of the Doel 4 steam generators remains troublesome and further examinations are performed to evaluate if continued operation until June '96, when the steam generators will be replaced, is justified

Effects of Chemistry Parameters of Primary Water affecting Leakage of Steam Generator Tube Cracks

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shin, D. M.; Cho, N. C.; Kang, Y. S.; Lee, K. H. [KHNP CRI, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)

2016-10-15

Degradation of steam generator (SG) tubes can affect pressure boundary tightness. As a defense-in-depth measure, primary to secondary leak monitoring program for steam generators is implemented, and operation is allowed under leakage limits in nuclear power plants. Chemistry parameters that affect steam generator tube leakage due to primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) are investigated in this study. Tube sleeves were installed to inhibit leakage and improve tube integrity as a part of maintenance methods. Steam generators occurred small leak during operation have been replaced with new steam generators according to plant maintenance strategies. The correlations between steam generator leakage and chemistry parameters are presented. Effects of primary water chemistry parameters on leakage from tube cracks were investigated for the steam generators experiencing small leak. Unit A experienced small leakage from steam generator tubes in the end of operation cycle. It was concluded that increased solubility of oxides due to high pHT could make leakage paths, and low boron concentration lead to less blockage in cracks. Increased dissolved hydrogen may retard crack propagations, but it did not reduce leak rate of the leaking steam generator. In order to inhibit and reduce leakage, pH{sub T} was controlled by servicing cation bed operation. The test results of decreasing pHT indicate low pHT can reduce leak rate of PWSCC cracks in the end of cycle.

Effects of Chemistry Parameters of Primary Water affecting Leakage of Steam Generator Tube Cracks

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shin, D. M.; Cho, N. C.; Kang, Y. S.; Lee, K. H.

2016-01-01

Degradation of steam generator (SG) tubes can affect pressure boundary tightness. As a defense-in-depth measure, primary to secondary leak monitoring program for steam generators is implemented, and operation is allowed under leakage limits in nuclear power plants. Chemistry parameters that affect steam generator tube leakage due to primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) are investigated in this study. Tube sleeves were installed to inhibit leakage and improve tube integrity as a part of maintenance methods. Steam generators occurred small leak during operation have been replaced with new steam generators according to plant maintenance strategies. The correlations between steam generator leakage and chemistry parameters are presented. Effects of primary water chemistry parameters on leakage from tube cracks were investigated for the steam generators experiencing small leak. Unit A experienced small leakage from steam generator tubes in the end of operation cycle. It was concluded that increased solubility of oxides due to high pHT could make leakage paths, and low boron concentration lead to less blockage in cracks. Increased dissolved hydrogen may retard crack propagations, but it did not reduce leak rate of the leaking steam generator. In order to inhibit and reduce leakage, pH_T was controlled by servicing cation bed operation. The test results of decreasing pHT indicate low pHT can reduce leak rate of PWSCC cracks in the end of cycle

Lessons learned from tubes pulled from French steam generators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Berge, Ph.; Boursier, J.M.; Dallery, D.; De Keroulas, F.; Rouillon, Y.

1998-01-01

Since 1981, the Chinon Hot Laboratory has completed more than 380 metallurgical examinations of pulled French steam generator tubes. Electricite de France decided to perform such investigations from the very outset of the French nuclear program, in order to contribute to nuclear power plant safety. The main reasons for withdrawing tubes are to evaluate the degradation, to validate non destructive examination (NDE) techniques, to gain a better understanding of cracking phenomena, and to ensure that the criteria on which plugging operations are based remain conservative. Considerable experience has been accumulated in the field of primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC), OD (secondary) side corrosion, leak and burst tests, and various tube plugging techniques. This paper focuses on the PWSCC phenomenon and on the secondary side corrosion process, and in particular, attempts to correlate French data from pulled tubes with the results of fundamental R and D studies. Finally, within the framework of the Nuclear Power Plant Safety and Maintenance Policy, all these results are discussed in terms of optimization of the field inspection of tube bundles and plugging criteria. (author)

The influence of lead on stress corrosion cracking of steam generator tubing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ryan Curtis Wolfe

2015-01-01

Lead (Pb) is present at low concentrations on the secondary side of steam generators, but is known to accumulate in steam generator sludge and become concentrated in crevices and cracks. Pb is known to have played a role in the degradation of Alloy 600MA tubing, necessitating the replacement of those steam generators. There is new evidence which indicates that Pb has also played a role in the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of Alloy 600TT. Furthermore. laboratory testing indicates that advanced tubing alloys such as Alloy 690TT and Alloy 800NG area also susceptible to this attack. In response to these vulnerabilities, utilities are attempting to manufacture tubing using processes which will impart optimal corrosion resistance, fabricate and operate SG's to minimize stress in the tubing, undertake efforts to identify and remove the sources of Pb, reduce the existing inventory of Pb using chemical or mechanical cleaning processes, and maintain rigorous chemistry controls. Research is warranted to qualify chemical methods to mitigate PbSCC that may be observed in service. This presentation will review work performed through the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to address the issue of Pb-assisted stress corrosion cracking of steam generator tubing. (author)

Mitigation of caustic stress corrosion cracking of steam generator tube materials by blowdown -a case study

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dutta, Anu; Patwegar, I.A.; Chaki, S.K.; Venkat Raj, V.

2000-01-01

The vertical U-tube steam generators are among the most important equipment in nuclear power plants as they form the vital link between the reactor and the turbogenerator. Over ∼ 35 years of operating experience of water cooled reactor has demonstrated that steam generator tubes are susceptible to various forms of degradation. This degradation leads to failure and outages of the power plant. A majority of these failures have been attributed to concentrated alkali attacks in the low flow areas such as crevices in the tube to tube sheet joints, baffle plate location and the areas of sludge deposits. Free hydroxides can be produced by improper maintenance of phosphate chemical control in the secondary side of the steam generators and also by the thermal decomposition of impurities present in the condenser cooling water which may leak into the feed water through the condenser tubes. The free hydroxides concentrate in the low flow areas. This buildup of free hydroxide in combination with residual stress leads to caustic stress corrosion cracking. In order to mitigate caustic stress corrosion cracking of Inconel 600 tubes, the trend is to avoid phosphate dosing. Instead All Volatile Treatment (AVT) for secondary water is used backed by full flow condensate polishing. Sodium hydroxide concentration is now being considered as the basis for steam generator blowdown. A methodology has been established for determining the blowdown requirement in order to mitigate caustic stress corrosion cracking in the secondary side of the vertical U-tube natural circulation steam generator. A case study has been carried out for zero solid treatment (AVT coupled with full flow condensate polishing plant) water chemistry. Only continuous blowdown schemes have been studied based on maximum caustic concentration permissible in the secondary side of the steam generator. The methodology established can also be used for deciding concentration of any other impurities

Working session 3: Tubing integrity

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cueto-Felgueroso, C.; Strosnider, J.

1997-01-01

Twenty-three individuals representing nine countries (Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Japan, the Slovak Republic, Spain, the UK, and the US) participated in the session on tube integrity. These individuals represented utilities, vendors, consultants and regulatory authorities. The major subjects discussed by the group included overall objectives of managing steam generator tube degradation, necessary elements of a steam generator degradation management program, the concept of degradation specific management, structural integrity evaluations, leakage evaluations, and specific degradation mechanisms. The group's discussions on these subjects, including conclusions and recommendations, are summarized in this article

Steam generator tube integrity program: Annual report, August 1995--September 1996. Volume 2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Diercks, D.R.; Bakhtiari, S.; Kasza, K.E.; Kupperman, D.S.; Majumdar, S.; Park, J.Y.; Shack, W.J.

1998-02-01

This report summarizes work performed by Argonne National Laboratory on the Steam Generator Tube Integrity Program from the inception of the program in August 1995 through September 1996. The program is divided into five tasks: (1) assessment of inspection reliability, (2) research on ISI (inservice-inspection) technology, (3) research on degradation modes and integrity, (4) tube removals from steam generators, and (5) program management. Under Task 1, progress is reported on the preparation of facilities and evaluation of nondestructive evaluation techniques for inspecting a mock-up steam generator for round-robin testing, the development of better ways to correlate failure pressure and leak rate with eddy current (EC) signals, the inspection of sleeved tubes, workshop and training activities, and the evaluation of emerging NDE technology. Results are reported in Task 2 on closed-form solutions and finite-element electromagnetic modeling of EC probe responses for various probe designs and flaw characteristics. In Task 3, facilities are being designed and built for the production of cracked tubes under aggressive and near-prototypical conditions and for the testing of flawed and unflawed tubes under normal operating, accident, and severe-accident conditions. Crack behavior and stability are also being modeled to provide guidance for test facility design, develop an improved understanding of the expected rupture behavior of tubes with circumferential cracks, and predict the behavior of flawed and unflawed tubes under severe accident conditions. Task 4 is concerned with the acquisition of tubes and tube sections from retired steam generators for use in the other research tasks. Progress on the acquisition of tubes from the Salem and McGuire 1 nuclear plants is reported

Uncertainty analysis for probabilistic steam generators tube rupture in LBB applications

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Durbec, V.; Pitner, P.; Pages, D. [Electricite de France, 78 - Chatou (France). Research and Development Div.; Riffard, T. [Electricite de France, 69 - Villeurbanne (France). Engineering and Construction Div.; Flesch, B. [Electricite de France, 92 - Paris la Defense (France). Generation and Transmission Div.

1997-10-01

Steam Generators (SG) of Pressurized Water Reactors have experienced world wide various types of tube degradations, mainly from stress corrosion cracking; because of this damage, primary-secondary leakage or tube rupture can occur. Safety against the risk of tube rupture is achieved through a combination of periodic in-service inspections (eddy current testing), surveillance of leaks during operation (leak before break concept) and tube plugging. In order to optimize the tube bundle SG maintenance, Electricite de France has developed a specific software named COMPROMIS. The model, based on probabilistic fracture mechanics makes it possible to quantify the influence of in service inspections and maintenance work on the risk of a SG Tube Rupture (SGTR), taking all significant parameters into account as random variables (initial defect size distribution, reliability of non-destructive examinations, crack initiation and propagation, critical sizes, leak before risk of break, etc...). This paper focuses on the leak rate calculation module and presents a sensitivity study of the influence of the leak before break on the conditional failure probability. (author) 8 refs.

Uncertainty analysis for probabilistic steam generators tube rupture in LBB applications

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Durbec, V.; Pitner, P.; Pages, D.; Riffard, T.; Flesch, B.

1997-10-01

Steam Generators (SG) of Pressurized Water Reactors have experienced world wide various types of tube degradations, mainly from stress corrosion cracking; because of this damage, primary-secondary leakage or tube rupture can occur. Safety against the risk of tube rupture is achieved through a combination of periodic in-service inspections (eddy current testing), surveillance of leaks during operation (leak before break concept) and tube plugging. In order to optimize the tube bundle SG maintenance, Electricite de France has developed a specific software named COMPROMIS. The model, based on probabilistic fracture mechanics makes it possible to quantify the influence of in service inspections and maintenance work on the risk of a SG Tube Rupture (SGTR), taking all significant parameters into account as random variables (initial defect size distribution, reliability of non-destructive examinations, crack initiation and propagation, critical sizes, leak before risk of break, etc...). This paper focuses on the leak rate calculation module and presents a sensitivity study of the influence of the leak before break on the conditional failure probability. (author)

Evaluation of plugging criteria on steam generator tubes and coalescence model of collinear axial through-wall cracks

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lee, Jin Ho; Park, Youn Won; Song, Myung Ho; Kim, Young Jin; Moon, Seong In

2000-01-01

In a nuclear power plant, steam generator tubes cover a major portion of the primary pressure-retaining boundary. Thus very conservative approaches have been taken in the light of steam generator tube integrity. According to the present criteria, tubes wall-thinned in excess 40% should be plugged whatever causes are. However, many analytical and experimental results have shown that no safety problems exist even with thickness reductions greater than 40%. The present criterion was developed about twenty years ago when wear and pitting were dominant causes for steam generator tube degradation. And it is based on tubes with single cracks regardless of the fact that the appearance of multiple cracks is more common in general. The objective of this study is to review the conservatism of the present plugging criteria of steam generator tubes and to propose a new coalescence model for two adjacent through-wall cracks existing in steam generator tubes. Using the existing failure models and experimental results, we reviewed the conservatism of the present plugging criteria. In order to verify the usefulness of the proposed new coalescence model, we performed finite element analysis and some parametric studies. Then, we developed a coalescence evaluation diagram

Top of tubesheet cracking in Bruce A NGS steam generator tubing - recent experience

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Clark, M.A.; Lepik, O.; Mirzai, M.; Thompson, I.

1998-01-01

During the Bruce A Nuclear Generating Station (BNGS-A) Unit 1 1997 planned outage, a dew point search method identified a leak in one steam generator(SG) tube. Subsequently, the tube was inspected with all available eddy current probes and removed for examination. The initial inspection results and metallurgical examination of the removed tube confirmed that the leak was due to intergranular attack/stress corrosion cracking (IGA/SCC) emanating from the secondary side of the tube at the top of the tubesheet location. Subsequently, eddy current and ultrasonic indications were found at the top of the tubesheet of other Alloy 600 SG tubes. To investigate the source of the indications and to validate the inspection probes, sections of 40 tubes with various levels of damage were removed. The metallurgical examination of the removed sections showed that both secondary side and primary side initiated, circumferential, stress corrosion cracking and intergranular attack occurred in the BNGS-A SG tubing. Significant degradation from both mechanisms was found, invariably located in the roll transition region of the top expansion joint between the tube and the tubesheet on the hot leg (304 degrees C) side of the tube. Various aspects of the failures and tube examinations are presented in this paper, including presentation of the cracking morphology, measured crack size distributions, and discussion of some factors possibly affecting the cracking. (author)

Evaluation of machine learning tools for inspection of steam generator tube structures using pulsed eddy current

Science.gov (United States)

Buck, J. A.; Underhill, P. R.; Morelli, J.; Krause, T. W.

2017-02-01

Degradation of nuclear steam generator (SG) tubes and support structures can result in a loss of reactor efficiency. Regular in-service inspection, by conventional eddy current testing (ECT), permits detection of cracks, measurement of wall loss, and identification of other SG tube degradation modes. However, ECT is challenged by overlapping degradation modes such as might occur for SG tube fretting accompanied by tube off-set within a corroding ferromagnetic support structure. Pulsed eddy current (PEC) is an emerging technology examined here for inspection of Alloy-800 SG tubes and associated carbon steel drilled support structures. Support structure hole size was varied to simulate uniform corrosion, while SG tube was off-set relative to hole axis. PEC measurements were performed using a single driver with an 8 pick-up coil configuration in the presence of flat-bottom rectangular frets as an overlapping degradation mode. A modified principal component analysis (MPCA) was performed on the time-voltage data in order to reduce data dimensionality. The MPCA scores were then used to train a support vector machine (SVM) that simultaneously targeted four independent parameters associated with; support structure hole size, tube off-centering in two dimensions and fret depth. The support vector machine was trained, tested, and validated on experimental data. Results were compared with a previously developed artificial neural network (ANN) trained on the same data. Estimates of tube position showed comparable results between the two machine learning tools. However, the ANN produced better estimates of hole inner diameter and fret depth. The better results from ANN analysis was attributed to challenges associated with the SVM when non-constant variance is present in the data.

Staranje cevi uparjalnikov v Jedrski elektrarni Krško: Aging of tubes in the Krško nuclear power plant's steam generators:

OpenAIRE

Androjna, Ferdo; Cizelj, Leon

2000-01-01

The paper reviews the domestic efforts devoted to the safe and reliable operation of the Krško nuclear power plant (NPP) at full power, close to the design limit of the steam generators (18% of plugged tubes) for a full decade. This includes an overview of the recent status and history of the degradation processes, discussion of repair criteria, defining the acceptable size of defects and selected results from safety analyses supporting the operation of degraded steam generator (SG) tubes. It...

Secondary side corrosion in steam generator tubes: lessons learned in France from the in-service inspection results

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Comby, R.

1997-01-01

Non-destructive testing (NDT) has proved to be very important in the maintenance of steam generator tubing. This is particularly true in the case of secondary side corrosion, because this type of degradation leads to various morphologies which are often complex (intergranular attack) (IGA), intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC), or a mixture of both. Their detection and characterization by the usual NDT techniques have been achieved through numerous laboratory studies, which were conducted in order to determine the performance and limitations of NDT. Pulled tube examination in a hot laboratory was very valuable, for both NDT and fracture mechanics aspects. The eddy current bobbin coil probe, used for multipurpose inspection of tubes, allows the detection of IGA-SCC at the tube support plate elevation. In France, the use of rotating probes is not required for that type of degradation, since the repair criterion is based on bobbin coil results only. The bobbin coil is also used for detection of IGSCC occurring in free spans, within sludge deposits. The eddy current rotating probe allows, in that case, characterization of main cracks. Concerning the outer diameter initiated circumferential cracks which occur at the top of the tube sheet, only the rotating probe is used. An ultrasonic (UT) inspection was performed several times, in order to obtain information on UT capabilities. The goal of tube inspection is obviously knowledge of the status of steam generators, but also to follow up degradations and to estimate their revolution, and to verify the beneficial effect of some corrective measures, e.g. boric acid injection. (orig.)

Thermal-Hydraulic Analysis of a Once-Through Steam Generator Considering Performance Degradation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Han, Hun Sik; Kang, Han Ok; Yoon, Ju Hyeon; Kim, Young In; Song, Jae Seung; Kim, Keung Koo

2016-01-01

Several countries have entered into a global race for the commercialization of SMRs, and considerable research and development have been implemented. Among the various reactor designs, many SMRs have adopted an integral type pressurized water reactor (PWR) to enhance the nuclear safety and system reliability. In the integral reactor design, a single reactor pressure vessel contains primary system components such as fuel and core, steam generators, pumps, and a pressurizer. For the component integration into a reactor vessel, it is important to design each component as small as possible. Thus, it is a common practice to employ a once-through steam generator in the integral reactor design due to its advantages in compactness. In general, gradual degradation in thermal-hydraulic performance of the steam generator occurs with time, and it changes slowly the operating point of the steam generator during plant lifetime. Numerical solutions are acquired to evaluate the thermal-hydraulic performance of the steam generator at various AUFs. The design results obtained show that the average tube length of the steam generator is augmented with the increase of design margin to compensate for the design uncertainties and heat transfer area reduction by plugging, fouling, etc. A helically coiled tube once-through steam generator with 30% design margin is considered for comparison of thermal-hydraulic performances according to the degradation rate

Thermal-Hydraulic Analysis of a Once-Through Steam Generator Considering Performance Degradation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Han, Hun Sik; Kang, Han Ok; Yoon, Ju Hyeon; Kim, Young In; Song, Jae Seung; Kim, Keung Koo [KAERI, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)

2016-05-15

Several countries have entered into a global race for the commercialization of SMRs, and considerable research and development have been implemented. Among the various reactor designs, many SMRs have adopted an integral type pressurized water reactor (PWR) to enhance the nuclear safety and system reliability. In the integral reactor design, a single reactor pressure vessel contains primary system components such as fuel and core, steam generators, pumps, and a pressurizer. For the component integration into a reactor vessel, it is important to design each component as small as possible. Thus, it is a common practice to employ a once-through steam generator in the integral reactor design due to its advantages in compactness. In general, gradual degradation in thermal-hydraulic performance of the steam generator occurs with time, and it changes slowly the operating point of the steam generator during plant lifetime. Numerical solutions are acquired to evaluate the thermal-hydraulic performance of the steam generator at various AUFs. The design results obtained show that the average tube length of the steam generator is augmented with the increase of design margin to compensate for the design uncertainties and heat transfer area reduction by plugging, fouling, etc. A helically coiled tube once-through steam generator with 30% design margin is considered for comparison of thermal-hydraulic performances according to the degradation rate.

Steam generator blowdown heat exchangers degradations operational experience on EDF French NPP fleet

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Praud, M.; Doyen, F.; Wintergest, M.; Jourdain, W.; Roussillon, M.; Zidane, A.; Mayos, M.

2015-01-01

The main function of the Steam Generator Blowdown System (SGBS) is to purify the secondary fluid from all kinds of pollutions: corrosion products from the secondary system, consequences of raw water pollutions through condenser's leakage, potential radiochemical pollutions resulting from Primary-to-Secondary leaks. The topic of this paper is to present the main SGBS dysfunctions linked to the degradation of the tubular heat exchangers, which sometimes can lead to integrity failure, through corrosion phenomenon. The degradation mechanisms have been characterized by various visual inspections and destructive examinations performed on pulled tubes and bundles. It appears that SGBS tubes suffer two main forms of corrosion. First, for the non-regenerative heat exchangers, where external surface of tubes is exposed to intermediate fluid, alkaline corrosion under tube sheet or shell-side baffles may occur. Caustic attack results from Na 3 PO 4 decomposition by thermal or chemical process. Secondly, mainly for regenerative heat exchangers, pitting and under-deposits corrosion linked to lay-up conditions during outages. This kind of attack is the root cause of a potential 'domino effect': a steam jet from the leaking tube can induce mechanical and/or erosion on many tubes located in its vicinity. Concerning the external degradation by caustic corrosion, only design modifications and strong monitoring of the raw water inlet may able to limit the occurrence of tube perforation. The lay-up guidelines should be carefully followed to mitigate internal corrosion: a controlled atmosphere (limited humidity) and cleanliness of the tube (avoiding deposits formation on the bottom line) seem to be the main parameters

Methods for preventing steam generator failure or degradation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Green, S.J.

1986-01-01

PWR steam generators have suffered from a variety of degradation phenomena. This paper identifies the corrosion-related defects and their probable causes and suggests approaches to correct and prevent corrosive activity. In the attempt to solve the degradation problems, research programs have concentrated on modifying materials, stresses, and the chemical environment in both new and operating steam generators. The following corrosion-related defects have been studied: tube wastage, denting, primary side (ID) intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC), OD-initiated intergranular attack (IGA), pitting, and corrosion fatigue. Plants affected by wastage have greatly reduced their problem by adopting an all volatile treatment (AVT). In the case of denting, a less aggressive chemical environment is recommended. Primary side IGSCC responds to temperature reduction, stress relief, and material improvements, while flushing and boric acid addition minimizes OD-initiated IGA. It has further been shown that pitting can be minimized by sludge lancing and by reducing impurity ingress. (author)

Roll-expanded plugs for steam generator heating tubes verification of leak tightness over the component lifetime

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Beck, J.; Ziegler, R.; Schönheit, N.

2013-01-01

Highlights: • Design description of roll-expanded plugs. • Experimental simulation of 40 years lifetime of plugged steam generator tubes. • Destructive testing for off-design loads. • Evaluation of release pressure and tightness before and after the tests. -- Abstract: Steam generator heating tubes are the boundary between the irradiated primary cycle and the conventional secondary cycle in a pressurized water reactor. Despite their operational task to transfer the heat from the primary to the secondary cycle, these tubes have a crucial safety function: the retention of irradiated primary coolant inside the circuit in all operating, emergency and off-design conditions. The heating tubes are subject to various degradation mechanisms during operation. To verify the integrity of each single tube, nuclear power plants carry out frequent in-service inspections. In case of a tube wall degradation beyond the permissible limit, the tube needs to be taken out of service in order to maintain the overall component integrity. The most common method to do so is to plug a damaged tube by a roll-expanded plug. After plugging, the roll-expanded plug acts as pressure boundary between the primary and the secondary cycle instead of the damaged heating tube. The plug must be able to maintain this function, previously provided by the heating tube, in all operational, emergency and off-design conditions. This article describes the approach to this verification by launching several comprehensive process qualification programmes consisting of mechanical analyses as well as static and dynamic testing programmes. The result was a qualified roll-expanded plug which remains leak-tight even during off-design conditions

Steam generator tube performance

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tatone, O.S.; Pathania, R.S.

1984-10-01

A review of the performance of steam generator tubes in 116 water-cooled nuclear power reactors showed that tubes were plugged at 54 (46 percent) of the reactors. The number of tubes removed from service decreased from 4 692 (0.30 percent) in 1981 to 3 222 (0.20 percent) in 1982. The leading causes of tube failures were stress corrosion cracking from the primary side, stress corrosion cracking (or intergranular attack) from the secondary side and pitting corrosion. The lowest incidence of corrosion-induced defects from the secondary side occurred in reactors that have used only volatile treatment, with or without condensate demineralization

Steam generator tube performance

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tatone, O.S.; Tapping, R.L.; Stipan, L.

1992-03-01

A survey of steam generator operating experience for 1986 has been carried out for 184 pressurized water and pressurized heavy-water reactors, and 1 water-cooled, graphite-moderated reactor. Tubes were plugged at 75 of the reactors (40.5%). In 1986, 3737 tubes were plugged (0.14% of those in service) and 3148 tubes were repaired by sleeving. A small number of reactors accounted for the bulk of the plugged tubes, a phenomenon consistent with previous years. For 1986, the available tubesheet sludge data for 38 reactors has been compiled into tabular form, and sludge/deposit data will be incorporated into all future surveys

Performance demonstration tests for eddy current inspection of steam generator tubing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kurtz, R.J.; Heasler, P.G.; Anderson, C.M.

1996-05-01

This report describes the methodology and results for development of performance demonstration tests for eddy current (ET) inspection of steam generator tubes. Statistical test design principles were used to develop the performance demonstration tests. Thresholds on ET system inspection performance were selected to ensure that field inspection systems would have a high probability of detecting and and correctly sizing tube degradation. The technical basis for the ET system performance thresholds is presented in detail. Statistical test design calculations for probability of detection and flaw sizing tests are described. A recommended performance demonstration test based on the design calculations is presented. A computer program for grading the probability of detection portion of the performance demonstration test is given

Performance demonstration tests for eddy current inspection of steam generator tubing

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kurtz, R.J.; Heasler, P.G.; Anderson, C.M.

1996-05-01

This report describes the methodology and results for development of performance demonstration tests for eddy current (ET) inspection of steam generator tubes. Statistical test design principles were used to develop the performance demonstration tests. Thresholds on ET system inspection performance were selected to ensure that field inspection systems would have a high probability of detecting and and correctly sizing tube degradation. The technical basis for the ET system performance thresholds is presented in detail. Statistical test design calculations for probability of detection and flaw sizing tests are described. A recommended performance demonstration test based on the design calculations is presented. A computer program for grading the probability of detection portion of the performance demonstration test is given.

Life Estimation of PWR Steam Generator U-Tubes Subjected to Foreign Object-Induced Fretting Wear

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jo, Jong Chull; Jhung, Myung Jo; Kim, Woong Sik; Kim, Hho Jung

2005-01-01

This paper presents an approach to the remaining life prediction of steam generator (SG) U-tubes, which are intact initially, subjected to fretting-wear degradation due to the interaction between a vibrating tube and a foreign object in operating nuclear power plants. The operating SG shell-side flow field conditions are obtained from a three-dimensional SG flow calculation using the ATHOS3 code. Modal analyses are performed for the finite element models of U-tubes to get the natural frequency, corresponding mode shape, and participation factor. The wear rate of a U-tube caused by a foreign object is calculated using the Archard formula, and the remaining life of the tube is predicted. Also discussed in this study are the effects of the tube modal characteristics, external flow velocity, and tube internal pressure on the estimated results of the remaining life of the tube

Experimental verification of the horizontal steam generator boil-off transfer degradation at natural circulation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hyvaerinen, J. [Finnish Centre for Radiation and Nuclear Safety, Helsinki (Finland); Kouhia, J. [VTT Energy, Lappeenranta (Finland)

1997-12-31

The presentation summarises the highlights of experimental results obtained for VVER type horizontal steam generator heat transfer, primary side flow pattern, and mixing in the hot collector during secondary side boil-off with primary at single-phase natural circulation. The experiments were performed using the PACTEL facility with Large Diameter (LD) steam generator models, with collector instrumentation designed specifically for these tests. The key findings are as follows: (1) the primary to secondary heat transfer degrades as the secondary water inventory is depleted, following closely the wetted tube area; (2) a circulatory flow pattern exists in the tube bundle, resulting in reversed flow (from cold to the hot collector) in the lower part of the tube bundle, and continuous flow through the upper part, including the tubes that have already dried out; and (3) mixing of the hot leg flow entering the hot collector and reversed, cold, tube flow remains confined within the collector itself, extending only a row or two above the elevation at which tube flow reversal has taken place. 6 refs.

Experimental verification of the horizontal steam generator boil-off transfer degradation at natural circulation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hyvaerinen, J [Finnish Centre for Radiation and Nuclear Safety, Helsinki (Finland); Kouhia, J [VTT Energy, Lappeenranta (Finland)

1998-12-31

The presentation summarises the highlights of experimental results obtained for VVER type horizontal steam generator heat transfer, primary side flow pattern, and mixing in the hot collector during secondary side boil-off with primary at single-phase natural circulation. The experiments were performed using the PACTEL facility with Large Diameter (LD) steam generator models, with collector instrumentation designed specifically for these tests. The key findings are as follows: (1) the primary to secondary heat transfer degrades as the secondary water inventory is depleted, following closely the wetted tube area; (2) a circulatory flow pattern exists in the tube bundle, resulting in reversed flow (from cold to the hot collector) in the lower part of the tube bundle, and continuous flow through the upper part, including the tubes that have already dried out; and (3) mixing of the hot leg flow entering the hot collector and reversed, cold, tube flow remains confined within the collector itself, extending only a row or two above the elevation at which tube flow reversal has taken place. 6 refs.

Experimental verification of the horizontal steam generator boil-off transfer degradation at natural circulation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hyvaerinen, J.; Kouhia, J.

1997-01-01

The presentation summarises the highlights of experimental results obtained for VVER type horizontal steam generator heat transfer, primary side flow pattern, and mixing in the hot collector during secondary side boil-off with primary at single-phase natural circulation. The experiments were performed using the PACTEL facility with Large Diameter (LD) steam generator models, with collector instrumentation designed specifically for these tests. The key findings are as follows: (1) the primary to secondary heat transfer degrades as the secondary water inventory is depleted, following closely the wetted tube area; (2) a circulatory flow pattern exists in the tube bundle, resulting in reversed flow (from cold to the hot collector) in the lower part of the tube bundle, and continuous flow through the upper part, including the tubes that have already dried out; and (3) mixing of the hot leg flow entering the hot collector and reversed, cold, tube flow remains confined within the collector itself, extending only a row or two above the elevation at which tube flow reversal has taken place

Steam generator tube performance

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tatone, O.S.; Pathania, R.S.

1982-04-01

The performance of steam generator tubes in water-cooled nuclear power reactors has been reviewed for 1980. Tube defects occurred at 38% of the 97 reactors surveyed. This is a marginal improvement over 1979 when defects occurred at 41% of the reactors. The number of failed tubes was also lower, 0.14% of the tubes in service in 1980 compared with 0.20% of those in service in 1979. Analysis of the causes of these failures indicates that stress corrosion cracking was the leading failure mechanism. Reactors that used all-volatile treatment of secondary water, with or without full-flow condensate demineralization since start-up showed the lowest incidence of corrosion-related defects

Circumferential cracking of steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Karwoski, K.J.

1997-04-01

On April 28, 1995, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued Generic Letter (GL) 95-03, open-quote Circumferential Cracking of Steam Generator Tubes.close-quote GL 95-03 was issued to obtain information needed to verify licensee compliance with existing regulatory requirements regarding the integrity of steam generator tubes in domestic pressurized-water reactors (PWRs). This report briefly describes the design and function of domestic steam generators and summarizes the staff's assessment of the responses to GL 95-03. The report concludes with several observations related to steam generator operating experience. This report is intended to be representative of significant operating experience pertaining to circumferential cracking of steam generator tubes from April 1995 through December 1996. Operating experience prior to April 1995 is discussed throughout the report, as necessary, for completeness

Review of damages of nuclear power plants steam generator's tubes and way of detecting by using eddy current method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stanic, D.

1996-01-01

Steam generator tubing integrity is very important factor for reliable and safe operation of NPP. Several different types of tube degradation mechanisms were experienced in SG operation. To avoid possible tube rupture and primary-to-secondary leak, the EC examination of tubing should be performed. Different eddy current techniques may be used for detecting defects and theirs characterization. A comparison of data analysis results with pulled tube destructive metallography results can provide valuable insights in determining the capability of existing technology and provide guidance for procedure or technology improvements. (author)

Continuous-Wave Radar to Detect Defects Within Heat Exchangers and Steam Generator Tubes; Revised September 3, 2003

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rochau, Gary E.; Caffey, Thurlow W.H.; Bahram Nassersharif; Garcia, Gabe V.; Jedlicka, Russell P.

2003-01-01

OAK B204 Continuous-Wave Radar to Detect Defects Within Heat Exchangers and Steam Generator Tubes ; Revised September 3, 2003. A major cause of failures in heat exchangers and steam generators in nuclear power plants is degradation of the tubes within them. The tube failure is often caused by the development of cracks that begin on the outer surface of the tube and propagate both inwards and laterally. A new technique was researched for detection of defects using a continuous-wave radar method within metal tubing. The technique is 100% volumetric, and may find smaller defects, more rapidly, and less expensively than present methods. The project described in this report was a joint development effort between Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and New Mexico State University (NMSU) funded by the US Department of Energy. The goal of the project was to research, design, and develop a new concept utilizing a continuous wave radar to detect defects inside metallic tubes and in particular nuclear plant steam generator tubing. The project was divided into four parallel tracks: computational modeling, experimental prototyping, thermo-mechanical design, and signal detection and analysis

Continuous-Wave Radar to Detect Defects Within Heat Exchangers and Steam Generator Tubes ; Revised September 3, 2003

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gary E. Rochau and Thurlow W.H. Caffey, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM 87185-0740; Bahram Nassersharif and Gabe V. Garcia, Department of Mechanical Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001; Russell P. Jedlicka, Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001

2003-05-01

OAK B204 Continuous-Wave Radar to Detect Defects Within Heat Exchangers and Steam Generator Tubes ; Revised September 3, 2003. A major cause of failures in heat exchangers and steam generators in nuclear power plants is degradation of the tubes within them. The tube failure is often caused by the development of cracks that begin on the outer surface of the tube and propagate both inwards and laterally. A new technique was researched for detection of defects using a continuous-wave radar method within metal tubing. The technique is 100% volumetric, and may find smaller defects, more rapidly, and less expensively than present methods. The project described in this report was a joint development effort between Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and New Mexico State University (NMSU) funded by the US Department of Energy. The goal of the project was to research, design, and develop a new concept utilizing a continuous wave radar to detect defects inside metallic tubes and in particular nuclear plant steam generator tubing. The project was divided into four parallel tracks: computational modeling, experimental prototyping, thermo-mechanical design, and signal detection and analysis.

Steam generator tube integrity program. Semiannual report, August 1995--March 1996

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Diercks, D.R.; Bakhtiari, S.; Chopra, O.K.

1997-04-01

This report summarizes work performed by Argonne National Laboratory on the Steam Generator Tube Integrity Program from the inception of that program in August 1995 through March 1996. The program is divided into five tasks, namely (1) Assessment of Inspection Reliability, (2) Research on ISI (in-service-inspection) Technology, (3) Research on Degradation Modes and Integrity, (4) Development of Methodology and Technical Requirements for Current and Emerging Regulatory Issues, and (5) Program Management. Under Task 1, progress is reported on the preparation of and evaluation of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques for inspecting a mock-up steam generator for round-robin testing, the development of better ways to correlate burst pressure and leak rate with eddy current (EC) signals, the inspection of sleeved tubes, workshop and training activities, and the evaluation of emerging NDE technology. Under Task 2, results are reported on closed-form solutions and finite element electromagnetic modeling of EC probe response for various probe designs and flaw characteristics. Under Task 3, facilities are being designed and built for the production of cracked tubes under aggressive and near-prototypical conditions and for the testing of flawed and unflawed tubes under normal operating, accident, and severe accident conditions. In addition, crack behavior and stability are being modeled to provide guidance on test facility design, to develop an improved understanding of the expected rupture behavior of tubes with circumferential cracks, and to predict the behavior of flawed and unflawed tubes under severe accident conditions. Task 4 is concerned with the cracking and failure of tubes that have been repaired by sleeving, and with a review of literature on this subject

Effect of Ovality on Maximum External Pressure of Helically Coiled Steam Generator Tubes with a Rectangular Wear

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shin, Dong In; Lim, Eun Mo; Huh, Nam Su [Seoul National Univ. of Science and Technology, Seoul (Korea, Republic of); Choi, Shin Beom; Yu, Je Yong; Kim, Ji Ho; Choi, Suhn [Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)

2013-10-15

A structural integrity of steam generator tubes of nuclear power plants is one of crucial parameters for safe operation of nuclear power plants. Thus, many studies have been made to provide engineering methods to assess integrity of defective tubes of commercial nuclear power plants considering its operating environments and defect characteristics. As described above, the geometric and operating conditions of steam generator tubes in integral reactor are significantly different from those of commercial reactor. Therefore, the structural integrity assessment of defective tubes of integral reactor taking into account its own operating conditions and geometric characteristics, i. e., external pressure and helically coiled shape, should be made to demonstrate compliance with the current design criteria. Also, ovality is very specific characteristics of the helically coiled tube because it is occurred during the coiling processes. The wear, occurring from FIV (Flow Induced Vibration) and so on, is main degradation of steam generator tube. In the present study, maximum external pressure of helically coiled steam generator tube with wear is predicted based on the detailed 3-dimensional finite element analysis. As for shape of wear defect, the rectangular shape is considered. In particular, the effect of ovality on the maximum external pressure of helically coiled tubes with rectangular shaped wear is investigated. In the present work, the maximum external pressure of helically coiled steam generator tube with rectangular shaped wear is investigated via detailed 3-D FE analyses. In order to cover a practical range of geometries for defective tube, the variables affecting the maximum external pressure were systematically varied. In particular, the effect of tube ovality on the maximum external pressure is evaluated. It is expected that the present results can be used as a technical backgrounds for establishing a practical structural integrity assessment guideline of

ODSCC algorithm shows correlation with degradation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Prabhu, P.J.; Rootham, M.W.; Zupetic, N.L.

1998-01-01

Over the last few years we have attempted to develop an algorithm to evaluate the impact of secondary water chemistry on tube degradation in PWR steam generators. Effects of individual factors were assessed and then consolidated to form an algorithm for ODSCC propensity. The algorithm utilizes secondary water chemistry data to calculate ODSCC propensity as a variable named Mega PHI. Prior attempts to correlate algorithm calculations with actual degradation in operating steam generators have resulted in very disappointing results. Recent modifications to the algorithm have demonstrated improved correlation between Mega PHI (calculated result from the algorithm) and actual degradation history from operating plants. The recent modifications involve the inclusion of the synergistic effect of boric acid application of secondary water and of high silica concentration in steam generator toward inhibiting ODSCC. Data from several plants with mill annealed alloy 600 tubing in the steam generators and operating with the primary coolant inlet temperature in the range of 608 to 624 degrees F (320 to 329 degrees C) were evaluated and the results compared with actual degradation reported from in-service inspections. The population of plants includes those with very few tubes repaired and those with hundreds of tubes repaired due to ODSCC at tube support plates. The observation of substantial correlation between the algorithm calculation and actual degradation signifies the roles of boric acid and silica in inhibiting ODSCC. It is recommended that further evaluation of the role of these chemical species be performed using more extensive data. The goal is to modify secondary water chemistry guidelines with the ultimate aim of minimizing corrosion of steam generator tubes. (author)

Stress corrosion cracking of the tubing materials for nuclear steam generators in an environment containing lead

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Kyung Mo; Kim, Uh Chul; Lee, Eun Hee; Hwang, Seong Sik

2004-01-01

Steam generator tube materials show a high susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in an environment containing lead species and some nuclear power plants currently have degradation problems associated with lead-induced stress corrosion cracking in a caustic solution. Effects of an applied potential on SCC is tested for middle-annealed Alloy 600 specimens since their corrosion potential can be changed when lead oxide coexists with other oxidizing species like copper oxide in the sludge. In addition, all the steam generator tubing materials used for nuclear power plants being operated and currently under construction in Korea are tested in a caustic solution with lead oxide. (author)

Stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of steam generator tube materials in AVT (all volatile treatment) chemistry contaminated with lead

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gomez Briceno, D.; Castano, M.L.; Garcia, M.S.

1996-01-01

Alloy 600 steam generator tubing has shown a high susceptibility to stress corrosion degradation at the operation conditions of pressurized water reactors. Several contaminants, such as lead, have been postulated as being responsible for producing the secondary side stress corrosion cracking that has occurred mainly at the location where these contaminants can concentrate. An extensive experimental work has been carried out in order to better understand the effects of lead on the stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of steam generator tube materials, namely Alloys 600, 690 and 800. This paper presents the experimental work conducted with a view to determining the influence of lead oxide concentration in AVT (all volatile treatment) conditions on the stress corrosion resistance of nickel alloys used in the fabrication of steam generator tubing. (orig.)

Corrosion and Rupture of Steam Generator Tubings in PWRs

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hwang, Seong Sik; Kim, Hong Pyo

2007-08-15

This report is intended to provide corrosion engineers in the filed of nuclear energy with information on the corrosion and rupture behavior of steam generator tubing in PWRs. Various types of corrosion in PWR steam generator tubing have been reported all around the world, and countermeasures such as the addition of corrosion inhibitors, a water chemistry control, a tube plugging and sleeving have been applied. Steam generators equipped with alloy 600 tubing, which are not so resistant to a stress corrosion cracking (SCC), have generally been replaced with new steam generators made of alloy 690 TT (Thermally treated). Pull tube examination results which were performed of KAERI are summarized. The tubes were affected by a pitting, SCC, and a denting. Nondestructive examination method for the tubes and repair techniques are also reviewed. In addition, the regulatory guidance of some countries are reviewed. As a part of a tube integrity project in Korea, some results on a tube rupture and leak behaviors for axial cracks are also mentioned.

Corrosion and Rupture of Steam Generator Tubings in PWRs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hwang, Seong Sik; Kim, Hong Pyo

2007-08-01

This report is intended to provide corrosion engineers in the filed of nuclear energy with information on the corrosion and rupture behavior of steam generator tubing in PWRs. Various types of corrosion in PWR steam generator tubing have been reported all around the world, and countermeasures such as the addition of corrosion inhibitors, a water chemistry control, a tube plugging and sleeving have been applied. Steam generators equipped with alloy 600 tubing, which are not so resistant to a stress corrosion cracking (SCC), have generally been replaced with new steam generators made of alloy 690 TT (Thermally treated). Pull tube examination results which were performed of KAERI are summarized. The tubes were affected by a pitting, SCC, and a denting. Nondestructive examination method for the tubes and repair techniques are also reviewed. In addition, the regulatory guidance of some countries are reviewed. As a part of a tube integrity project in Korea, some results on a tube rupture and leak behaviors for axial cracks are also mentioned

Examination of steam generator alloy 800 NG tube from the Almaraz unit 2 NPP

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Diego, G. de; Gomez Briceno, D.; Maffiotte, C.; Baladia, M.; Arias, C.J.

2015-01-01

The steam generators of Almaraz Unit 2 were replaced in 1997 by the model 61W/D3 (Siemens) with Alloy 800NG steam generator tubes. Denting indications were firstly detected in 2006 in the SG-3. Crack indications were identified in 2009. At the end of 2011, three tubes were recovered from this steam generator to carry out destructive examination in order to identify the root cause of the tubes degradation. Analysis of deposits point out the existence of multiples elements in the removed OD (Outer Diameter) deposits as well as in the deposits at the free tube under sludge and at the transition zone. Deposits are more abundant at the transition zone than at free tube. About 10% Na concentration has been detected, whereas S and Cl appear in small concentrations. Si appears regularly and Cr, Ni concentrations in the deposits are similar. Multiple intergranular cracks have been detected at 3 mm above the last contact point between the tube and the TS (tube support), in a band of around 5 mm, practically in the whole perimeter of the tube. Fracture surface of crack-B was partially covered by a Si rich layer, whereas fracture surface of crack-A seems to be cleaner. However, no significant differences in composition, except higher amount of S in crack-B, were found in the deposits of both cracks. EDX mapping and Auger profiles point out Ni enrichment with slight Cr enrichment or depletion and Fe depletion. The comparison of Auger profiles with available results for Alloy 800 tested in caustic and acid sulfate environments seems to indicate that the environment inside the cracks detected in the tube R67C48 is neutral or moderately caustic

Data analysis for steam generator tubing samples

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dodd, C.V.

1996-07-01

The objective of the Improved Eddy-Current ISI for Steam Generators program is to upgrade and validate eddy-current inspections, including probes, instrumentation, and data processing techniques for inservice inspection of new, used, and repaired steam generator tubes; to improve defect detection, classification and characterization as affected by diameter and thickness variations, denting, probe wobble, tube sheet, tube supports, copper and sludge deposits, even when defect types and other variables occur in combination; to transfer this advanced technology to NRC's mobile NDE laboratory and staff. This report provides a description of the application of advanced eddy-current neural network analysis methods for the detection and evaluation of common steam generator tubing flaws including axial and circumferential outer-diameter stress-corrosion cracking and intergranular attack. The report describes the training of the neural networks on tubing samples with known defects and the subsequent evaluation results for unknown samples. Evaluations were done in the presence of artifacts. Computer programs are given in the appendix

Experimental investigation of reflux condensation heat transfer in PWR steam generator tubes in the presence of noncondensible gases

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vierow, Karen; Wu, Tiejun [Purdue Univ., West Lafayette (United States); Nagae, Takashi [Institute of Nuclear Safety System, Tokyo (Japan)

2003-07-01

Under certain circumstances in a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR), the coolant system may be in a partially drained state and reflux condensation in the steam generator U-tubes can be the major heat removal mechanism. Noncondensable gases may be present and would degrade the heat transfer rate. If heat removal rates are insufficient, this situation could lead to core boil-off, fuel rod heatup, and eventually core damage. The Institute of Nuclear Safety System, Inc. (INSS) and the Nuclear Heat Transfer Systems Laboratory at Purdue University have begun a cooperative research program to investigate the effectiveness of reflux condensation in PWR steam generator U-tubes in the presence of noncondensable gases. The final objectives are to provide local heat transfer data for development of methods to analyze reflux condensation in PWR steam generator U-tubes and to investigate the potential for flooding. Key features of the experimental data reported herein are that they are local data under laminar steam/gas mixture and condensate film flow and they are taken from a test section with dimensions similar to an actual steam generator tube. Steady state data were obtained under various steam and air inlet flow rates and pressures. The data show the significant degrading effect of noncondensable gas on heat transfer coefficients. From the data, correlations for the reflux condensation local heat transfer coefficient and the local Nusselt number under laminar conditions were derived. These experiments are providing essential and unique fundamental data for development of methods to analyze reflux condensation.

Vertical steam generator with slab-type tube-plate with even tube bundle washing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Manek, O.; Masek, V.; Motejl, V.; Quitta, R.

1980-01-01

A shielding plate supporting the tubes attached to the tube plate of a vertical steam generator is mounted above the tube plate. Tube sleeves are designed with a dimensional tolerance relative to the heat transfer tubes and the sleeve end and the tube plate end. A separate space is thus formed above the tube plate in which circulation or feed water is introduced to flow between the branch and the heat transfer tube. This provides intensive washing of heat transfer tubes at a critical point and prevents deposit formation, thus excluding heat transfer tube failures. (J.B.)

A pulsed eddy current probe for inspection of support plates from within Alloy-800 steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Krause, T. W.; Babbar, V. K.; Underhill, P. R.

2014-01-01

Support plate degradation and fouling in nuclear steam generators (SGs) can lead to SG tube corrosion and loss of efficiency. Inspection and monitoring of these conditions can be integrated with preventive maintenance programs, thereby advancing station-life management processes. A prototype pulsed eddy current (PEC) probe, targeting inspection issues associated with SG tubes in SS410 tube support plate structures, has been developed using commercial finite element (FE) software. FE modeling was used to identify appropriate driver and pickup coil configurations for optimum sensitivity to changes in gap and offset for Alloy-800 SG tubes passing through 25 mm thick SS410 support plates. Experimental measurements using a probe that was manufactured based on the modeled configuration, were used to confirm the sensitivity of differential PEC signals to changes in relative position of the tube within the tube support plate holes. Models investigated the effect of shift and tilt of tube with respect to hole centers. Near hole centers and for small shifts, modeled signal amplitudes from the differentially connected coil pairs were observed to change linearly with tube shift. This was in agreement with experimentally measured TEC coil response. The work paves the way for development of a system targeting the inspection and evaluation of support plate structures in steam generators

A pulsed eddy current probe for inspection of support plates from within Alloy-800 steam generator tubes

Science.gov (United States)

Krause, T. W.; Babbar, V. K.; Underhill, P. R.

2014-02-01

Support plate degradation and fouling in nuclear steam generators (SGs) can lead to SG tube corrosion and loss of efficiency. Inspection and monitoring of these conditions can be integrated with preventive maintenance programs, thereby advancing station-life management processes. A prototype pulsed eddy current (PEC) probe, targeting inspection issues associated with SG tubes in SS410 tube support plate structures, has been developed using commercial finite element (FE) software. FE modeling was used to identify appropriate driver and pickup coil configurations for optimum sensitivity to changes in gap and offset for Alloy-800 SG tubes passing through 25 mm thick SS410 support plates. Experimental measurements using a probe that was manufactured based on the modeled configuration, were used to confirm the sensitivity of differential PEC signals to changes in relative position of the tube within the tube support plate holes. Models investigated the effect of shift and tilt of tube with respect to hole centers. Near hole centers and for small shifts, modeled signal amplitudes from the differentially connected coil pairs were observed to change linearly with tube shift. This was in agreement with experimentally measured TEC coil response. The work paves the way for development of a system targeting the inspection and evaluation of support plate structures in steam generators.

Observations and insights into Pb-assisted stress corrosion cracking of alloy 600 steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Thomas, L.; Bruemmer, Stephen M.

2005-01-01

Pb-assisted stress-corrosion cracking (PbSCC) of Alloy 600 steam-generator tubing in high-temperature-water service and laboratory tests were studied by analytical transmission electron microscopy of cross-sectioned samples. Examinations of pulled tubes from many pressurized water reactors revealed lead in cracks from 11 of 17 samples. Comparisons of the degraded intergranular structures with ones produced in simple laboratory tests with PbO in near-neutral AVT water showed that the PbSCC characteristics in service tubing could be reproduced without complex chemistries and heat-flow conditions that can occur during plant operation. Observations of intergranular and transgranular cracks promoted by Pb in the test samples also provided new insights into the mechanisms of PbSCC in mill-annealed and thermally treated Alloy 600

Analysis of steam generator tube sections removed from Gentilly-2 nuclear generating station

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Semmler, J.; Lockley, A.J.; Doyon, D.

2010-01-01

In order to meet the requirements of CSA Standards CAN/CSA N285.4-94, which states, 'A section of one tube in a deposit region shall be removed from one steam generator for metallurgical examination', Gentilly-2 has been removing steam generator tube sections on a regular basis for analysis at Chalk River Laboratories. In 2009 April, sections from the hot leg and the cold leg of a steam generator tube were removed for detailed metallographic examination and characterization. The hot leg tube section covered the area from within the tube sheet up to below the second support plate, and the cold leg tube section covered the area from within the tube sheet to below the third preheater support plate. After a general visual and photographic examination, the area above the tube sheet on the hot leg side where the sludge pile is highest was examined in detail. Visual and macro-photography of the two tube sections within the tube sheet were also examined. Additional metallographic and surface examinations of both tube inner diameter and tube outer diameter, and surface roughness measurements of tube inner diameter were also completed. The surface activities (μCi/cm 2 ) of cold leg and hot leg specimens were measured before and after electrolytic descaling, and major and minor radionuclides were identified; a comparison of the surface activities for hot leg with the values for the cold leg were made. The results from the initial γ-spectroscopy measurements, and the measurements after the descaling of the specimens were used to estimate decontamination factors for each specimen and for each radionuclide. The tube specimens had thin outer diameter oxides; all four steam generators were chemically cleaned in 2005. All specimens had inner diameter deposits; the inner diameter deposits on the cold leg were heavier than those on the hot leg as expected. Primary side oxide loadings of specimens were used to estimate the total oxide inventory in 2009. The oxide

Wastage of Steam Generator Tubes by Sodium-Water Reaction

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jeong, Ji Young; Kim, Jong Man; Kim, Tae Joon; Choi, Jong Hyeun; Kim, Byung Ho; Lee, Yong Bum; Park, Nam Cook

2010-01-01

The Korea Advanced LIquid MEtal Reactor (KALIMER) steam generator is a helical coil, vertically oriented, shell-and-tube type heat exchanger with fixed tube-sheet. The conceptual design and outline drawing of the steam generator are shown in Figure 1. Flow is counter-current, with sodium on the shell side and water/steam on the tube side. Sodium flow enters the steam generator through the upper inlet nozzles and then flows down through the tube bundle. Feedwater enters the steam generator through the feedwater nozzles at the bottom of steam generator. Therefore, if there is a hole or a crack in a heat transfer tube, a leakage of water/steam into the sodium may occur, resulting in a sodium-water reaction. When such a leak occurs, so-called 'wastage' is the result which may cause damage to or a failure of the adjacent tubes. If a steam generator is operated for some time in this condition, it is possible that it might create an intermediate leak state which would then give rise to the problems of a multi-target wastage in a very short time. Therefore, it is very important to predict these phenomena quantitatively from the view of designing a steam generator and its leak detection systems. For this, multi-target wastage tests for modified 9Cr-1Mo steel tube bundle by intermediate leaks are being prepared

A global fouling factor methodology for analyzing steam generator thermal performance degradation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kreider, M.A.; White, G.A.; Varrin, R.D.

1998-01-01

Over the past few years, steam generator (SG) thermal performance degradation has led to decreased plant efficiency and power output at numerous PWR nuclear power plants with recirculating-type SGs. The authors have developed and implemented methodologies for quantitatively evaluating the various sources of SG performance degradation, both internal and external to the SG pressure boundary. These methodologies include computation of the global fouling factor history, evaluation of secondary deposit thermal resistance using deposit characterization data, and consideration of pressure loss causes unrelated to the tube bundle, such as hot-leg temperature streaming and SG moisture separator performance. In order to evaluate the utility of the global fouling factor methodology, the authors performed case studies for a number of PWR SG designs. Key results from two of these studies are presented here. Uncertainty analyses were performed to determine whether the calculated fouling factor for each plant represented significant fouling or whether uncertainty in key variables (e.g., steam pressure or feedwater flow rate) could be responsible for calculated fouling. The methodology was validated using two methods: by predicting the SG pressure following chemical cleaning at San Onofre 2 and also by performing a sensitivity study with the industry-standard thermal-hydraulics code ATHOS to investigate the effects of spatially varying tube scale distributions. This study indicated that the average scale thickness has a greater impact on fouling than the spatial distribution, showing that the assumption of uniform resistance inherent to the global fouling factor is reasonable. In tandem with the fouling-factor analyses, a study evaluated for each plant the potential causes of pressure loss. The combined results of the global fouling factor calculations and the pressure loss evaluations demonstrated two key points: 1) that the available thermal margin against fouling, which can

Modeling and Simulation of U-tube Steam Generator

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang, Mingming; Fu, Zhongguang; Li, Jinyao; Wang, Mingfei

2018-03-01

The U-tube natural circulation steam generator was mainly researched with modeling and simulation in this article. The research is based on simuworks system simulation software platform. By analyzing the structural characteristics and the operating principle of U-tube steam generator, there are 14 control volumes in the model, including primary side, secondary side, down channel and steam plenum, etc. The model depends completely on conservation laws, and it is applied to make some simulation tests. The results show that the model is capable of simulating properly the dynamic response of U-tube steam generator.

Predicting the accumulated number of plugged tubes in a steam generator using statistical methodologies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ferng, Y.-M.; Fan, C.N.; Pei, B.S.; Li, H.-N.

2008-01-01

A steam generator (SG) plays a significant role not only with respect to the primary-to-secondary heat transfer but also as a fission product barrier to prevent the release of radionuclides. Tube plugging is an efficient way to avoid releasing radionuclides when SG tubes are severely degraded. However, this remedial action may cause the decrease of SG heat transfer capability, especially in transient or accident conditions. It is therefore crucial for the plant staff to understand the trend of plugged tubes for the SG operation and maintenance. Statistical methodologies are proposed in this paper to predict this trend. The accumulated numbers of SG plugged tubes versus the operation time are predicted using the Weibull and log-normal distributions, which correspond well with the plant measured data from a selected pressurized water reactor (PWR). With the help of these predictions, the accumulated number of SG plugged tubes can be reasonably extrapolated to the 40-year operation lifetime (or even longer than 40 years) of a PWR. This information can assist the plant policymakers to determine whether or when a SG must be replaced

Continuous-wave radar to detect defects within heat exchangers and steam generator tubes.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nassersharif, Bahram (New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM); Caffey, Thurlow Washburn Howell; Jedlicka, Russell P. (New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM); Garcia, Gabe V. (New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM); Rochau, Gary Eugene

2003-01-01

A major cause of failures in heat exchangers and steam generators in nuclear power plants is degradation of the tubes within them. The tube failure is often caused by the development of cracks that begin on the outer surface of the tube and propagate both inwards and laterally. A new technique was researched for detection of defects using a continuous-wave radar method within metal tubing. The experimental program resulted in a completed product development schedule and the design of an experimental apparatus for studying handling of the probe and data acquisition. These tests were completed as far as the prototypical probe performance allowed. The prototype probe design did not have sufficient sensitivity to detect a defect signal using the defined radar technique and did not allow successful completion of all of the project milestones. The best results from the prototype probe could not detect a tube defect using the radar principle. Though a more precision probe may be possible, the cost of design and construction was beyond the scope of the project. This report describes the probe development and the status of the design at the termination of the project.

Simulation of steam generator plugging tubes in a PWR to analyze the operating impact

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pla, Patricia, E-mail: patricia.pla-freixa@ec.europa.eu [Nuclear Reactor Safety Assessment Unit, Institute for Energy and Transport, Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, Petten (Netherlands); Reventos, Francesc, E-mail: francesc.reventos@upc.edu [Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), Barcelona (Spain); Martin Ramos, Manuel, E-mail: manuel.martin-ramos@ec.europa.eu [Nuclear Safety and Security Coordination Unit, Policy Support Coordination, Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, Brussels (Belgium); Sol, Ismael, E-mail: isol@anacnv.com [Asociación Nuclear Ascó-Vandellós-II (ANAV), Tarragona (Spain); Strucic, Miodrag, E-mail: miodrag.strucic@ec.europa.eu [Nuclear Reactor Safety Assessment Unit, Institute for Energy and Transport, Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, Petten (Netherlands)

2016-08-15

Highlights: • Plugging a fraction of the SG tubes does not affect power output of the plant. • There is a limit to SG plugging in the range of 10–15%. • The rupture of a SG tube in a 12% plugged SG has shown no significant differences in operator actions. • A SBLOCA in a 12% plugged SG has shown no significant differences in operator actions. - Abstract: A number of nuclear power plants (NPPs) with pressurized water reactors (PWR) in the world have replaced their steam generators (SG) due to degradation of the SG tubes caused by different problems. Several methods were attempted to correct the defects of the tubes, but eventually the only permanent solution was to plug them. The consequences of plugging the tubes are the decrease of heat transfer surface, the reduction of the flow area and subsequent reduction of the primary system mass flow and for a fraction of plugged tubes higher than a given value, the reduction of reactor output and economic losses. The objective of this paper is to analyze whether steam generator tube plugging has an impact in the effectiveness of accident management actions. An analysis with Relap5 Mod 3.3 patch03 for the Spanish reactor Ascó-2, a 3-loop 2940.6 MWth Westinghouse PWR, in which plugging of steam generator tubes are simulated, is presented in order to find the limit for the adequate operation of the plant. Several steady state calculations were performed with different fractions of plugged SG tubes, by modeling the reduction of the primary to secondary heat transfer surface and the reduction of the primary coolant mass flow area in the tubes as well. The results of the analysis yield that plugging 12% of the SG tubes is around the limit for optimal reactor operation. To complete the study two events, in which the steam generators are used to cooldown the plant, were simulated to find out if the plugging of SGs tubes could influence the efficiency of the operator actions described in the emergency operating

Wolsong 3 and 4 steam generator tube inspection

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jang, Kyoung Sik; Son, Tai Bong; Kwon, Dong Ki; Choi, Jin Hyuk

2001-01-01

During the pre-service inspection for Wolsong unit 3 and 4 in 1997/1998 respectively, 17 distorted roll transition indications (over expanded beyond tubesheet secondary face) were identified at the unit 4 (S/G B, D). Six(6) tubes out of these tubes were plugged in 1998. However the first periodic inspection identified additional 110 indications in 1999 and 2000. The additionally identified 110 indication call, not reported at the pre-service inspection, are; 2 not-finally-expanded-tubes and 108 distorted roll transition tubes. Design limit of each steam generator tube plugging is 6.4.%. Plugging was performed by the steam generator manufacturer under the warranty. When distorted roll transition indications were first identified on the unit 4 in 1998 the degree of over-expansion was measured using an inner dial-gage to make the disposition of nonconformance report. 2 Not-finally-expanded-tubes were plugged and 10 tubes out of 108 distorted roll transition tubes were also plugged as a preventive measure

Structural integrity assessments of steam generator tubes using the FAD methodology

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bergant, Marcos A., E-mail: marcos.bergant@cab.cnea.gov.ar [Gerencia CAREM, Centro Atómico Bariloche (CNEA), Av. Bustillo 9500, San Carlos de Bariloche 8400 (Argentina); Yawny, Alejandro A., E-mail: yawny@cab.cnea.gov.ar [División Física de Metales, Centro Atómico Bariloche (CNEA)/CONICET, Av. Bustillo 9500, San Carlos de Bariloche 8400 (Argentina); Perez Ipiña, Juan E., E-mail: juan.perezipina@fain.uncoma.edu.ar [Grupo Mecánica de Fractura, Universidad Nacional del Comahue/CONICET, Buenos Aires 1400, Neuquén 8300 (Argentina)

2015-12-15

Highlights: • The Failure Assessment Diagram (FAD) is used to assess cracked steam generator tubes. • Typical loading conditions and reported tensile and fracture properties are used. • The FAD is capable to predict the failure mode for different cracks and loads. • The FAD can be used to reduce the conservatism of the current plugging criteria. • Appropriate tensile and fracture properties at operating conditions are required. - Abstract: Steam generator tubes (SGTs) represents up to 60% of the total primary pressure retaining boundary area of a nuclear power plant. They have been found susceptible to diverse degradation mechanisms during service. Due to the significance of a SGT failure on the plant safe operation, nuclear regulatory authorities have established tube plugging or repairing criteria which are based on the defect depth. The widespreadly used “40% criterion” proposed in the 70s is an example whose use is still recommended in the last editions of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. In the present work, an alternative, more realistic and less conservative methodology for SGT integrity evaluation is proposed. It is based on the Failure Assessment Diagram (FAD) and takes advantage of the recent developments in non-destructive techniques which allow a more comprehensive characterization of tube defects, i.e., depth, length, orientation and type. The proposed approach has been applied to: the study of the influence of primary and secondary stresses on tube integrity; the prediction of failure mode (i.e., ductile fracture or plastic collapse) of defective SGTs for varied crack geometries and loading conditions; the analysis of the sensibility of tensile and fracture properties with temperature. The potentiality of the FAD as a comprehensive methodology for predicting the failure loads and failure modes of flawed SGTs is highlighted.

Structural integrity assessments of steam generator tubes using the FAD methodology

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bergant, Marcos A.; Yawny, Alejandro A.; Perez Ipiña, Juan E.

2015-01-01

Highlights: • The Failure Assessment Diagram (FAD) is used to assess cracked steam generator tubes. • Typical loading conditions and reported tensile and fracture properties are used. • The FAD is capable to predict the failure mode for different cracks and loads. • The FAD can be used to reduce the conservatism of the current plugging criteria. • Appropriate tensile and fracture properties at operating conditions are required. - Abstract: Steam generator tubes (SGTs) represents up to 60% of the total primary pressure retaining boundary area of a nuclear power plant. They have been found susceptible to diverse degradation mechanisms during service. Due to the significance of a SGT failure on the plant safe operation, nuclear regulatory authorities have established tube plugging or repairing criteria which are based on the defect depth. The widespreadly used “40% criterion” proposed in the 70s is an example whose use is still recommended in the last editions of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. In the present work, an alternative, more realistic and less conservative methodology for SGT integrity evaluation is proposed. It is based on the Failure Assessment Diagram (FAD) and takes advantage of the recent developments in non-destructive techniques which allow a more comprehensive characterization of tube defects, i.e., depth, length, orientation and type. The proposed approach has been applied to: the study of the influence of primary and secondary stresses on tube integrity; the prediction of failure mode (i.e., ductile fracture or plastic collapse) of defective SGTs for varied crack geometries and loading conditions; the analysis of the sensibility of tensile and fracture properties with temperature. The potentiality of the FAD as a comprehensive methodology for predicting the failure loads and failure modes of flawed SGTs is highlighted.

ANL/CANTIA code for steam generator tube integrity assessment

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Revankar, S.T.; Wolf, B.; Majumdar, S.; Riznic, J.R.

2009-01-01

Steam generator (SG) tubes have an important safety role in CANDU type reactors and Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) because they constitute one of the primary barriers between the radioactive and non-radioactive sides of the nuclear plant. The SG tubes are susceptible to corrosion and damage. A failure of a single steam generator tube, or even a few tubes, would not be a serious safety-related event in a CANDU reactor. The leakage from a ruptured tube is within makeup capacity of the primary heat transport system, so that as long as the operator takes the correct actions, the off-site consequences will be negligible. A sufficient safety margin against tube rupture used to be the basis for a variety of maintenance strategies developed to maintain a suitable level of plant safety and reliability. Several through-wall flaws may remain in operation and potentially contribute to the total primary-to-secondary leak rate. Assessment of the conditional probabilities of tube failures, leak rates, and ultimately risk of exceeding licensing dose limits has been used for steam generator tube fitness-for-service assessment. The advantage of this type of analysis is that it avoids the excessive conservatism typically present in deterministic methodologies. However, it requires considerable effort and expense to develop all of the failure, leakage, probability of detection, and flaw growth distributions and models necessary to obtain meaningful results from a probabilistic model. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) recently developed the CANTIA methodology for probabilistic assessment of inspection strategies for steam generator tubes as a direct effect on the probability of tube failure and primary-to-secondary leak rate Recently Argonne National Laboratory has developed tube integrity and leak rate models under Integrated Steam Generator Tube Integrity Program (ISGTIP-2). These models have been incorporated in the ANL/CANTIA code. This paper presents the ANL

Steam generator tube integrity program. Phase I report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Alzheimer, J.M.; Clark, R.A.; Morris, C.J.; Vagins, M.

1979-09-01

The results are presented of the pressure tests performed as part of Phase I of the Steam Generator Tube Integrity (SGTI) program at Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory. These tests were performed to establish margin-to-failure predictions for mechanically defected Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) steam generator tubing under operating and accident conditions. Defect geometries tested were selected because they simulate known or expected defects in PWR steam generators. These defect geometries are Electric Discharge Machining (EDM) slots, elliptical wastage, elliptical wastage plus through-wall slot, uniform thinning, denting, denting plus uniform thinning, and denting plus elliptical wastage. All defects were placed in tubing representative of that currently used in PWR steam generators

Analysis on the Acoustic Emission Signals in the Crack Evolution of Steam Generator Tube

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Han, Jung Ho; Hur, Do Haeng; Kim, Kyung Mo; Choi, Myung Sik; Lee, Deok Hyun

2007-01-01

The evolution of a defect in steam generator (SG) tube during plant operation can be classified into the stages of initiation and propagation. However, the detection and discrimination of these two stages are difficult, and the real time monitoring of the defect evolution in plant operation is impossible. Moreover, it was generally known that the commercial nondestructive examination techniques such as eddy current test(ECT) can detect the defect already grown up to the size of more than 40% in tube wall thickness. Therefore, the scope of the present study is to develop the fundamental technology for monitoring the degradation process from the initiation stage to the subsequent propagation stage by acoustic emission (AE) signal measurement

Probabilistic methodology for assessing steam generator tube inspection - Phase II: CANTIA - a probabilistic method for assessing steam generator tube inspections

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Harris, J.E.; Gorman, J.A.; Turner, A.P.L.

1997-03-01

The objectives of this project were to develop a computer-based method for probabilistic assessment of inspection strategies for steam generator tubes, and to document the source code and to provide a user's manual for it. The program CANTIA was created to fulfill this objective, and the documentation and verification of the code is provided in this volume. The user's manual for CANTIA is provided as a separate report. CANTIA uses Monte Carlo techniques to determine approximate probabilities of steam generator tube failures under accident conditions and primary-to-secondary leak rates under normal and accident conditions at future points in time. The program also determines approximate future flaw distributions and non-destructive examination results from the input data. The probabilities of failure and leak rates and the future flaw distributions can be influenced by performing inspections of the steam generator tubes at some future points in time, and removing defective tubes from the population. The effect of different inspection and maintenance strategies can therefore be determined as a direct effect on the probability of tube failure and primary-to-secondary leak rate

Heat transfer enhancement for fin-tube heat exchanger using vortex generators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yoo, Seong Yeon; Park, Dong Seong; Chung, Min Ho; Lee, Sang Yun

2002-01-01

Vortex generators are fabricated on the fin surface of a fin-tube heat exchanger to augment the convective heat transfer. In addition to horseshoe vortices formed naturally around the tube of the fin-tube heat exchanger, longitudinal vortices are artificially created on the fin surface by vortex generators. The purpose of this study is to investigate the local heat transfer phenomena in the fin-tube heat exchangers with and without vortex generators, and to evaluate the effect of vortices on the heat transfer enhancement. Naphthalene sublimation technique is employed to measure local mass transfer coefficients, then analogy equation between heat and mass transfer is used to calculate heat transfer coefficients. Experiments are performed for the model of fin-circular tube heat exchangers with and without vortex generators, and of fin-flat tube heat exchangers with and without vortex generators. Average heat transfer coefficients of fin-flat tube heat exchanger without vortex generator are much lower than those of fin-circular tube heat exchanger. On the other hand, fin-flat tube heat exchanger with vortex generators has much higher heat transfer value than conventional fin-circular tube heat exchanger. At the same time, pressure losses for four types of heat exchanger is measured and compared

Steam generator tubing development for commercial fast breeder reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sessions, C.E.; Uber, C.F.

1981-01-01

The development work to design, manufacture, and evaluate pre-stressed double-wall 2/one quarter/ Cr-1 Mo steel tubing for commercial fast breeder reactor steam generator application is discussed. The Westinghouse plan for qualifying tubing vendors to produce this tubing is described. The results achieved to date show that a long length pre-stressed double-wall tube is both feasible and commercially available. The evaluation included structural analysis and experimental measurement of the pre-stress within tubes, as well as dimensional, metallurgical, and interface wear tests of tube samples produced. This work is summarized and found to meet the steam generator design requirements. 10 refs

Failure of fretted steam generator tubes under accident conditions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Forrest, C.F.

1996-10-01

Tests were carried out with a bank of tubes in a water tunnel to determine the tolerance of flawed nuclear reactor steam generator tubes to accident conditions which would result in high cross-flow velocities. Fourteen specimen tubes were tested, each having one or two types of defect machined into the surface simulating fretting-wear type scars found in some operating steam generators. The tubes were tested at flow velocities sufficient to induce high fluid elastic-type vibrations. Seven of the tubes failed near the thinnest section of the defects during the one-hour tests, due to impacting and/or rubbing between the tube and the support. Strain gauges, displacement transducers, force gauges and an accelerometer were used on the target tube and/or the tube immediately downstream of it to measure their vibrational characteristics

The residual stress evaluation for expansion process of steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

King, C.-S.; Lee, S.-C.; Shim, D.-N.

2004-01-01

The reliability of a nuclear power plant is affected by the reliability of steam generator tube and the reliability of steam generator tube is affected by stress corrosion cracking(SCC). Many steam generator tubes were experiencing stress corrosion cracking and stress corrosion cracking is affected material characteristics, corrosive environments and added stresses. The added stresses have the manufacturing stresses and operating stresses, the manufacturing stresses include the residual stresses generating in the tube manufacture and tube expanding procedure. We will investigate for influence which affected to residual stresses with tube plastic deformation method and measurement region. (author)

WWER Steam Generators Tubing Performance and Aging Management

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Trunov, Nikolay B.; Davidenko, Stanislav E.; Grigoriev, Vladimir A.; Popadchuk, Valery S.; Brykov, Sergery I.; Karzov, Georgy P.

2006-01-01

At WWER NPPs the horizontal steam generators (SGs), are used that differ in design concept from vertical SGs mostly used at western NPPs. Reliable operation of SG heat-exchanging tubes is the crucial worldwide problem for NPP of various types. According to the operation feedback the water chemistry is the governing factor affecting operability of SG tubing. The secondary side corrosion is considered to be the main mechanism of SG heat-exchanging tubes damage at WWER plants. To make the assessment of the tubing integrity the combination of pressure tests and eddy-current tests is used. Assessment of the tubing performance is an important part of SG life extension practice. The given paper deals with the description of the tube testing strategy and the approach to tube integrity assessment based on deterministic and probabilistic methods of fracture mechanics. Requirements for eddy-current test are given as well. Practice of condition monitoring and implementing the database on steam generators operation are presented. The approach to tubes plugging criteria is described. The research activities on corrosion mechanism studies and residual lifetime evaluation are mentioned. (authors)

Steam generator tube rupture (SGTR) scenarios

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Auvinen, A.; Jokiniemi, J.K.; Laehde, A.; Routamo, T.; Lundstroem, P.; Tuomisto, H.; Dienstbier, J.; Guentay, S.; Suckow, D.; Dehbi, A.; Slootman, M.; Herranz, L.; Peyres, V.; Polo, J.

2005-01-01

The steam generator tube rupture (SGTR) scenarios project was carried out in the EU 5th framework programme in the field of nuclear safety during years 2000-2002. The first objective of the project was to generate a comprehensive database on fission product retention in a steam generator. The second objective was to verify and develop predictive models to support accident management interventions in steam generator tube rupture sequences, which either directly lead to severe accident conditions or are induced by other sequences leading to severe accidents. The models developed for fission product retention were to be included in severe accident codes. In addition, it was shown that existing models for turbulent deposition, which is the dominating deposition mechanism in dry conditions and at high flow rates, contain large uncertainties. The results of the project are applicable to various pressurised water reactors, including vertical steam generators (western PWR) and horizontal steam generators (VVER)

Tube sheet design for PFBR steam generator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chellapandi, P.; Chetal, S.C.; Bhoje, S.B.

1991-01-01

Top and bottom tube sheets of PFBR Steam Generators have been analysed with 3D and axisymmetric models using CASTEM Programs. Analysis indicates that the effects of piping reactions at the inlet/outlet nozzles on the primary stresses in the tube sheets are negligible and the asymmetricity of the deformation pattern introduced in the tube sheet by the presence of inlet/outlet and manhole nozzles is insignificant. The minimum tube sheet thicknesses for evaporator and reheater are 135 mm and 75 mm respectively. Further analysis has indicated the minimum fillet radius at the junction of tube sheet and dished end should be 20 mm. Simplified methodology has been developed to arrive at the number of thermal baffles required to protect the tube sheet against fatigue damage due to thermal transient. This method has been applied to PFBR steam generators to determine the required number of thermal baffles. For protecting the bottom tube sheet of evaporator against the thermal shock due to feed water and secondary pump trip, one thermal shield is found to be sufficient. Further analysis is required to decide upon the actual number to take care of the severe thermal transient, following the event of sudden dumping of water/steam, immediately after the sodium-water reaction. (author)

WWER steam generator tube structural and leakage integrity

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Splichal, K.; Krhounek, Vl.; Otruba, J.; Ruscak, M.

1998-01-01

The integrity of heat exchange tubes may influence the lifetime of WWER steam generators and appears to be an important criterion for the evaluation of their safety and operational reliability. The basic requirements are to assure very low probability of radioactive water leakage, preventing unstable crack growth and sudden tube rupture. These requirements led to development of permissible limits for primary to secondary leak evaluation and heat exchange tubes plugging. The stress corrosion cracking and pitting are the main corrosion damages of WWER heat exchange tubes and are initiated from the outer surface. Both the initiation and crack growth cause thinning of the tube wall and lead to part thickness cracks and through wall cracks, oriented preferentially in the axial direction. The paper presents the leakage and plugging limits for WWER steam generators, which have been determined from leak tests and burst tests. The tubes with axial part-through and through-wall defects have been used. The permissible value of primary to secondary leak rate was evaluated with respect to permissible axial through-wall defect size of WWER 440 and 1000 steam generator tubes. Blocking of the tube cracks by corrosion product particles and other compounds reduces the primary to secondary leak rate. The plugging limits involve the following factors: permissible tube wall thickness which determine further operation of the tubes with defects and assures their integrity under operating conditions and permissible size of a through-wall crack which is sufficiently stable under normal and accident conditions in relation to the critical crack length. For the evaluation of burst test of heat exchange tubes with longitudinal through-wall defects the instability criterion has been used and the dependence of the normalised burst pressure on the normalised length of an axial through-wall defect has been determined. The validity of the criterion of instability for WWER tubes with through

LMFBR steam generator development: duplex bayonet tube steam generator. Volume II

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

DeFur, D.D.

1975-04-01

This report represents the culmination of work performed in fulfillment of ERDA Contract AT(11-1)-2426, Task Agreement 2, in which alternate steam generator designs were developed and studied. The basic bayonet tube generator design previously developed by C-E under AEC Contract AT(11-1)-3031 was expanded by incorporating duplex heat transfer tubes to enhance the unit's overall safety and reliability. The effort consisted of providing and evaluating conceptual designs of the evaporator, superheater and reheater components for a large plant LMFBR steam generator (950 MWt per heat transport loop)

Process and device for locating a defective tube, particularly in the tube bundle of a steam generator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Denis, Jean.

1977-01-01

A process is described for locating a defective tube, particularly in the tube bundle of a steam generator of the reversed U tube kind with the ends connected to a tube plate, marking with the bottom of the generator casing a space separated into two adjacent collectors, respectively for the inlet and outlet of a primary fluid flowing inside the tubes of the bundle, these being externally washed by a secondary vaporizing fluid. In this process a television camera that can be inserted into the casing is used. This process consists in transmitting to a display system outside the generator an image of the tube plate in each collector by means of a directional television camera and then to place over this image a luminous marker to locate the end or the faulty tube [fr

Improvement of hydro-turbine draft tube efficiency using vortex generator

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Xiaoqing Tian

2015-07-01

Full Text Available Computational fluid dynamics simulation was employed in a hydraulic turbine (from inlet tube to draft tube. The calculated turbine efficiencies were compared with measured results, and the relative error is 1.12%. In order to improve the efficiency of the hydraulic turbine, 15 kinds of vortex generators were installed at the vortex development section of the draft tube, and all of them were simulated using the same method. Based on the turbine efficiencies, distribution of streamlines, velocities, and pressures in the draft tube, an optimal draft tube was found, which can increase the efficiency of this hydraulic turbine more than 1.5%. The efficiency of turbine with the optimal draft tube, draft tube with four pairs of middle-sized vortex generator, and draft tube without vortex generator under different heads of turbine (5–14 m was calculated, and it was verified that these two kinds of draft tubes can increase the efficiency of this turbine in every situation.

The Sealed Tube Neutron Generator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tunnell, L.N.; Beyerle, A.; Durkee, R.; Headley, G.; Hurley, P.

1992-01-01

A Sealed Tube Neutron Generator (STNG) has been designed and tested at Special Technologies Laboratories (STL) in Santa Barbara, California. Unlike similar tubes that have been used for years in other applications, e.g., by the oil well logging industry, the present device was designed primarily to be part of the Associated Particle Imaging (API) system. Consequently, the size and quality of the neutron spot produced by the STNG is of primary importance. Results from initial measurements indicate that performance goals are satisfied

Inspection and repair of steam generator tubing with a robot

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Boehm, H.H.; Foerch, H.

1985-01-01

During inspection and repair of steam generator tubing, radiation exposure to personnel is an unrequested endowment. To combat this intrinsic handicap, a robot has been designed for deployment in all operations inside the steam generator water chamber. This measure drastically reduces entering time and also improves inspection capabilities with regard to the accuracy and reproduction of the desired tube address. The inherent flexibility of the robot allows for performing various inspection and repair techniques: eddy-current testing of tubing; ultrasonic testing of tubing; visual examination of tube ends; profilometry measurements; tube plugging; plug removal; tube extraction; sleeving of tubes; tube end repair; chemical cleaning; and thermal treatment. Plant experience has highlighted the following features of the robot: 1) short installation and demounting periods; 2) installation independent of manhole location; 3) installation possible from outside the steam generator; 4) only one relocation required to address all the tube positions; 5) fast and highly accurate positioning; 6) operational surveillance not required; and 7) drastic reduction of radiation exposure to personnel during repair work

Inducement of IGA/SCC in Inconel 600 steam generator tubing during unit outages

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Durance, D.; Sedman, K. [Bruce Power, Tiverton, Ontario (Canada); Roberts, J. [CANTECH Associates Ltd., Burlington, Ontario (Canada); King, P. [Babcock and Wilcox Canada, Cambridge, Ontario (Canada); Gorman, J. [Dominion Engineering, Reston, VA (United States); Allen, R. [Kinectrics, Inc., Toronto, Ontario (Canada)

2008-07-01

The degradation of Unit 4 SG tubing by IGA/SCC has limited both the operating period and end of life predictions for Unit 4 since restart in late 2003. The circumferential IGA/SCC has been most significant in SG4 with substantial increases in both initiation and growth rates from 2005 through the spring of 2007. A detailed review of the occurrence of circumferential OD IGA/SCC at the RTZ in the HL TTS region of Bruce 4 steam generator tubes has led a conclusion that it is probable that the IGA/SCC has been the result of attack by partially reduced sulfur species such as tetrathionates and thiosulfates during periods of low temperature exposure. It is believed that attack of this type has mostly likely occurred during startup evolutions following outages as the result the development of aggressive reduced sulfur species in the TTS region during periods when the boilers were fully drained for maintenance activities. The modification of outage practices to limit secondary side oxygen ingress in the spring of 2007 has apparently arrested the degradation and has had significant affects on the allowable operating interval and end of life predictions for the entire unit. (author)

Inducement of IGA/SCC in Inconel 600 steam generator tubing during unit outages

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Durance, D.; Sedman, K.; Roberts, J.; King, P.; Gorman, J.; Allen, R.

2008-01-01

The degradation of Unit 4 SG tubing by IGA/SCC has limited both the operating period and end of life predictions for Unit 4 since restart in late 2003. The circumferential IGA/SCC has been most significant in SG4 with substantial increases in both initiation and growth rates from 2005 through the spring of 2007. A detailed review of the occurrence of circumferential OD IGA/SCC at the RTZ in the HL TTS region of Bruce 4 steam generator tubes has led a conclusion that it is probable that the IGA/SCC has been the result of attack by partially reduced sulfur species such as tetrathionates and thiosulfates during periods of low temperature exposure. It is believed that attack of this type has mostly likely occurred during startup evolutions following outages as the result the development of aggressive reduced sulfur species in the TTS region during periods when the boilers were fully drained for maintenance activities. The modification of outage practices to limit secondary side oxygen ingress in the spring of 2007 has apparently arrested the degradation and has had significant affects on the allowable operating interval and end of life predictions for the entire unit. (author)

Set-up for steam generator tube bundle washing after explosion expanding the tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Osipov, S.I.; Kal'nin, A.Ya.; Mazanenko, M.F.

1985-01-01

Set-up for steam generator tube bundle washing after the explosion expanding of tubes is described. Washing is accomplished by distillate. Steam is added to distillate for heating, and compersed air for preventing hydraulic shock. The set-up is equiped by control equipment. Set-up performances are presented. Time for one steam generator washing constitutes 8-12 h. High economic efficiency is realized due to the set-up introduction

Extending service life of steam generators by sleeving tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gutzwiller, J.E.

1982-01-01

Steam generator tubes that are failing due to IGA in the tubesheet crevice can be kept in service by using the basic sealable sleeve design developed by BandW. Variations of the present sleeve design could significantly reduce the number of tubes that must be plugged each year. Sleeving had the potential of keeping 28 percent more tubes in service during 1979. Lowering the overall rate at which tubes are removed from service by plugging will reduce the probability of having to derate the plant or replace the steam generator. Considering tomorrow's replacement power costs, sleeving to keep tubes in service is a practical and sound investment

Vibration and wear characteristics of steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Choi, Young Hwan

2003-06-01

This study investigates the fluid elastic instability characteristics of Steam Generator (SG) U-tubes with defect and the safety assessment of the potential for fretting-wear damages on Steam Generator (SG) U-tubes caused by foreign object in operating nuclear power plants. The operating SG shell-side flow field conditions for determining the fluid elastic instability or fretting-wear parameters such as damping ratio, added mass and flow velocity are obtained from three-dimensional SG flow calculation using the ATHOS3 code. To get the natural frequency, corresponding mode shape and participation factor, modal analyses are performed for the U-tubes either with axial or circumferential flaw with different sizes. Special emphases are on the effects of flaw orientation and size on the modal and instability characteristics of tubes, which are expressed in terms of the natural frequency, corresponding mode shape and stability ratio. Also, the wear rate of U-tube caused by foreign object is calculated using the Archard formula and the remaining life of the tube is predicted, and discussed in this study is the effect of the flow velocity and vibration of the tube on the remaining life of the tube. In addition, addressed is the effect of the internal pressure on the vibration and fretting-wear characteristics of the tube

Steam generator tube rupture simulation using extended finite element method

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mohanty, Subhasish, E-mail: smohanty@anl.gov; Majumdar, Saurin; Natesan, Ken

2016-08-15

Highlights: • Extended finite element method used for modeling the steam generator tube rupture. • Crack propagation is modeled in an arbitrary solution dependent path. • The FE model is used for estimating the rupture pressure of steam generator tubes. • Crack coalescence modeling is also demonstrated. • The method can be used for crack modeling of tubes under severe accident condition. - Abstract: A steam generator (SG) is an important component of any pressurized water reactor. Steam generator tubes represent a primary pressure boundary whose integrity is vital to the safe operation of the reactor. SG tubes may rupture due to propagation of a crack created by mechanisms such as stress corrosion cracking, fatigue, etc. It is thus important to estimate the rupture pressures of cracked tubes for structural integrity evaluation of SGs. The objective of the present paper is to demonstrate the use of extended finite element method capability of commercially available ABAQUS software, to model SG tubes with preexisting flaws and to estimate their rupture pressures. For the purpose, elastic–plastic finite element models were developed for different SG tubes made from Alloy 600 material. The simulation results were compared with experimental results available from the steam generator tube integrity program (SGTIP) sponsored by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and conducted at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). A reasonable correlation was found between extended finite element model results and experimental results.

Steam generator tube rupture simulation using extended finite element method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mohanty, Subhasish; Majumdar, Saurin; Natesan, Ken

2016-01-01

Highlights: • Extended finite element method used for modeling the steam generator tube rupture. • Crack propagation is modeled in an arbitrary solution dependent path. • The FE model is used for estimating the rupture pressure of steam generator tubes. • Crack coalescence modeling is also demonstrated. • The method can be used for crack modeling of tubes under severe accident condition. - Abstract: A steam generator (SG) is an important component of any pressurized water reactor. Steam generator tubes represent a primary pressure boundary whose integrity is vital to the safe operation of the reactor. SG tubes may rupture due to propagation of a crack created by mechanisms such as stress corrosion cracking, fatigue, etc. It is thus important to estimate the rupture pressures of cracked tubes for structural integrity evaluation of SGs. The objective of the present paper is to demonstrate the use of extended finite element method capability of commercially available ABAQUS software, to model SG tubes with preexisting flaws and to estimate their rupture pressures. For the purpose, elastic–plastic finite element models were developed for different SG tubes made from Alloy 600 material. The simulation results were compared with experimental results available from the steam generator tube integrity program (SGTIP) sponsored by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and conducted at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). A reasonable correlation was found between extended finite element model results and experimental results.

Fretting-wear characteristics of steam generator tubes contacting with foreign object

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jo, Jong Chull; Jhung, Myung Jo; Kim, Woong Sik; Kim, Hho Jung

2003-01-01

Fretting-wear characteristics of steam generator tubes contacting with foreign object has been investigated in this study. The operating steam generator shell-side flow field conditions are obtained from three-dimensional steam generator flow calculation using a well-validated steam generator thermal-hydraulic analysis computer code. Modal analyses are performed for the finite element modelings of tubes to get the natural frequency, corresponding mode shape and participation factor. The wear rate of a steam generator tube caused by foreign object is calculated using the Archard formula and the remaining life of the tube is predicted. In addition, the effects of internal pressure and flow velocity on the remaining life of the tube are discussed in this paper

Laboratory results of stress corrosion cracking of steam generator tubes in a complex environment - An update

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Horner, Olivier; Pavageau, Ellen-Mary; Vaillant, Francois [EDF R and D, Materials and Mechanics of Components Department, 77818 Moret-sur-Loing (France); Bouvier, Odile de [EDF Nuclear Engineering Division, Centre d' Expertise et d' Inspection dans les Domaines de la Realisation et de l' Exploitation, 93206 Saint Denis (France)

2004-07-01

Stress corrosion cracking occurs in the flow-restricted areas on the secondary side of steam generator tubes of Pressured Water Reactors (PWR), where water pollutants are likely to concentrate. Chemical analyses carried out during the shutdowns gave some insight into the chemical composition of these areas, which has evolved during these last years (i.e. less sodium as pollutants). It has been modeled in laboratory by tests in two different typical environments: the sodium hydroxide and the sulfate environments. These models satisfactorily describe the secondary side corrosion of steam generator tubes for old plant units. Furthermore, a third typical environment - the complex environment - which corresponds to an All Volatile Treatment (AVT) environment containing alumina, silica, phosphate and acetic acid has been recently studied. This particular environment satisfactorily reproduces the composition of the deposits observed on the surface of the steam generator tubes as well as the degradation of the tubes. A review of the recent laboratory results obtained by considering the complex environment are presented here. Several tests have been carried out in order to study initiation and propagation of secondary side corrosion cracking for some selected materials in such an environment. 600 Thermally Treated (TT) alloy reveals to be less sensitive to secondary side corrosion cracking than 600 Mill Annealed (MA) alloy. Finally, the influence of some related factors like stress, temperature and environmental factors are discussed. (authors)

Laboratory results of stress corrosion cracking of steam generator tubes in a complex environment - An update

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Horner, Olivier; Pavageau, Ellen-Mary; Vaillant, Francois; Bouvier, Odile de

2004-01-01

Stress corrosion cracking occurs in the flow-restricted areas on the secondary side of steam generator tubes of Pressured Water Reactors (PWR), where water pollutants are likely to concentrate. Chemical analyses carried out during the shutdowns gave some insight into the chemical composition of these areas, which has evolved during these last years (i.e. less sodium as pollutants). It has been modeled in laboratory by tests in two different typical environments: the sodium hydroxide and the sulfate environments. These models satisfactorily describe the secondary side corrosion of steam generator tubes for old plant units. Furthermore, a third typical environment - the complex environment - which corresponds to an All Volatile Treatment (AVT) environment containing alumina, silica, phosphate and acetic acid has been recently studied. This particular environment satisfactorily reproduces the composition of the deposits observed on the surface of the steam generator tubes as well as the degradation of the tubes. A review of the recent laboratory results obtained by considering the complex environment are presented here. Several tests have been carried out in order to study initiation and propagation of secondary side corrosion cracking for some selected materials in such an environment. 600 Thermally Treated (TT) alloy reveals to be less sensitive to secondary side corrosion cracking than 600 Mill Annealed (MA) alloy. Finally, the influence of some related factors like stress, temperature and environmental factors are discussed. (authors)

Impulse generation by detonation tubes

Science.gov (United States)

Cooper, Marcia Ann

Impulse generation with gaseous detonation requires conversion of chemical energy into mechanical energy. This conversion process is well understood in rocket engines where the high pressure combustion products expand through a nozzle generating high velocity exhaust gases. The propulsion community is now focusing on advanced concepts that utilize non-traditional forms of combustion like detonation. Such a device is called a pulse detonation engine in which laboratory tests have proven that thrust can be achieved through continuous cyclic operation. Because of poor performance of straight detonation tubes compared to conventional propulsion systems and the success of using nozzles on rocket engines, the effect of nozzles on detonation tubes is being investigated. Although previous studies of detonation tube nozzles have suggested substantial benefits, up to now there has been no systematic investigations over a range of operating conditions and nozzle configurations. As a result, no models predicting the impulse when nozzles are used exist. This lack of data has severely limited the development and evaluation of models and simulations of nozzles on pulse detonation engines. The first experimental investigation measuring impulse by gaseous detonation in plain tubes and tubes with nozzles operating in varying environment pressures is presented. Converging, diverging, and converging-diverging nozzles were tested to determine the effect of divergence angle, nozzle length, and volumetric fill fraction on impulse. The largest increases in specific impulse, 72% at an environment pressure of 100 kPa and 43% at an environment pressure of 1.4 kPa, were measured with the largest diverging nozzle tested that had a 12° half angle and was 0.6 m long. Two regimes of nozzle operation that depend on the environment pressure are responsible for these increases and were first observed from these data. To augment this experimental investigation, all data in the literature regarding

Neutron generator tube ion source control

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bridges, J.R.

1982-01-01

A system is claimed for controlling the output of a neutron generator tube of the deuterium-tritium accelerator type and having an ion source to produce sharply defined pulses of neutrons for well logging use. It comprises: means for inputting a relatively low voltage input control pulse having a leading edge and a trailing edge; means, responsive to the input control pulse, for producing a relatively high voltage ion source voltage pulse after receipt of the input pulse; and means, responsive to the input control pulse, for quenching, after receipt of the input pulse, the ion source control pulse, thereby providing a sharply time defined neutron output from the generator tube

Maintenance and plugging technology for CANDU steam generator tubing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Prince, J.; Nicholson, A.; Hare, J.; McGoey, L.; Stafford, T.; Gowthorpe, P.

2006-01-01

In order to keep aging steam generators in service and to successfully manage the life of these critical components, the capability must exist to perform tube plugging and other complex maintenance activities in-situ. In the early days of CANDU steam generator operation, the only option was to perform these activities manually, which had inherent safety and quality risks. The challenge was to be able to perform these activities remotely thus eliminating some of the confined space and radiological exposure risks. The additional challenge was to develop equipment and techniques which would result in significantly improved quality, particularly for the completed plug welds which would be returned to service. Over the past fifteen years, this technology has matured and has produced remarkable results in field application. Some 14000 tube plugs have been successfully installed to date using automated plugging techniques. This paper presents an overview of the development of techniques available to utilities for steam generator tube plugging as well as some highlights of other steam generator tube maintenance activities such as primary side tube removal and tube end damage repair. Aspects covered in the paper include plug and procedure development, automated equipment and manipulators for tool deployment, process controls and personnel requirements. Recently, the steam generator tube plugging performed by OPG has been incorporated into a formal quality program under the requirements of ASME NCA 4000. An overview of the quality program will be presented and details of some of the important aspects of the quality program will be discussed. (author)

Stochastic modeling of inspection uncertainties and applications to pitting flaws in steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mao, D.; Yuan, X.-X.; Pandey, M.D.

2009-01-01

Steam generators (SG) are a major pressure retaining component of great safety significance in nuclear power plants. Due to various manufacturing, operation and maintenance activities, as well as material interaction with the surrounding chemical environment, the SG tubes have been subject to a number of degradation modes. Among them, the under-deposit pitting corrosion at outside surfaces of the SG tubes just on top of the tubesheet support plates has had a serious impact on the integrity of the SG tubes. This paper presents an advanced probabilistic model of pitting corrosion characterizing the inherent randomness of the pitting process and measurement uncertainties of the in-service inspection (ISI) data obtained from eddy current (EC) inspections. A Bayesian method based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation is developed for estimating the model parameters. The proposed model is able to predict the actual pit number, the actual pit depth as well as the maximum pit depth, which is the main interest of the pitting corrosion model. (author)

Evaluation on double-wall-tube residual stress distribution of sodium-heated steam generator by neutron diffraction and numerical analysis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kisohara, N.; Suzuki, H.; Akita, K.; Kasahara, N.

2012-01-01

A double-wall-tube is nominated for the steam generator heat transfer tube of future sodium fast reactors (SFRs) in Japan, to decrease the possibility of sodium/water reaction. The double-wall-tube consists of an inner tube and an outer tube, and they are mechanically contacted to keep the heat transfer of the interface between the inner and outer tubes by their residual stress. During long term SG operation, the contact stress at the interface gradually falls down due to stress relaxation. This phenomenon might increase the thermal resistance of the interface and degrade the tube heat transfer performance. The contact stress relaxation can be predicted by numerical analysis, and the analysis requires the data of the initial residual stress distributions in the tubes. However, unclear initial residual stress distributions prevent precious relaxation evaluation. In order to resolve this issue, a neutron diffraction method was employed to reveal the tri-axial (radius, hoop and longitudinal) initial residual stress distributions in the double-wall-tube. Strain gauges also were used to evaluate the contact stress. The measurement results were analyzed using a JAEA's structural computer code to determine the initial residual stress distributions. Based on the stress distributions, the structural computer code has predicted the transition of the relaxation and the decrease of the contact stress. The radial and longitudinal temperature distributions in the tubes were input to the structural analysis model. Since the radial thermal expansion difference between the inner (colder) and outer (hotter) tube reduces the contact stress and the tube inside steam pressure contributes to increasing it, the analytical model also took these effects into consideration. It has been conduced that the inner and outer tubes are contacted with sufficient stresses during the plant life time, and that effective heat transfer degradation dose not occur in the double-wall-tube SG. (authors)

Recent developments in plugging of steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Buhay, S.; Abucay, R.C.

1995-01-01

Mechanical Plugging capability has been developed for Bruce Nuclear Generating Station (BNGS) steam generator (SG) tubes and Darlington Nuclear Generating Station (DNGS) SG tubes and tubesheet holes. The plug concept was a modified ABB/Combustion Engineering Inconel 690 plug with a nickel band, rolled into the tube or tubesheet hole from the primary side of the tubesheet. The qualification program included analytical justification of the plug body and experimental testing to verify the leak tightness of the rolled joint under conditions which meet or exceed all service or design requirements. Tools and procedures were developed and tested for manual and remote/robotic installation and removal of the mechanical plugs. Additionally, tools and procedures were developed to plug tubes/tubesheet holes at DNGS in the event the steam generator is recalled to service to act as a heat sink. A crew of Ontario Hydro personnel were trained and qualified for the installation of mechanical plugs for permanent and recall applications. During the DNGS Unit 4 spring 1995 outage, 6 tubes were plugged and the 'Recall Plugging Capability' was deployed and ready for use during a primary side SG tube removal. The mechanical plugs were installed manually with a typical 3 minute/plug in-bowl duration time with an average radiation dose of 12.5 mrem per plug. This compares favourably with manual plug welding during the same outage in the same SG bowl at approximately 15-30 minutes/plug in-bowl duration with an average radiation dose of 117 mrem/plug. (author)

Dryout in sodium-heated helically-coiled steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tomita, Y.; Kosugi, T.; Kubota, J.; Nakajima, K.; Tsuchiya, T.

1984-01-01

Experimental research on the dryout phenomenon in sodium heated, helically coiled steam generator tubes was carried out. The fluctuation of the tube wall temperature caused by dryout was measured with thermocouples installed in the center of the tube wall. Empirical correlations of dryout quality were developed as functions of critical heat flux, water mass velocity and saturation pressure. These correlations confirmed that the design criterion of the MONJU steam generator was reasonable. (author)

A Flue Gas Tube for Thermoelectric Generator

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

2013-01-01

The invention relates to a flue gas tube (FGT) (1) for generation of thermoelectric power having thermoelectric elements (8) that are integrated in the tube. The FTG may be used in combined heat and power (CHP) system (13) to produce directly electricity from waste heat from, e.g. a biomass boiler...

Evaluation of steam generator tube integrity during earthquakes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kusakabe, Takaya; Kodama, Toshio [Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Kobe (Japan). Kobe Shipyard and Machinery Works; Takamatsu, Hiroshi; Matsunaga, Tomoya

1999-07-01

This report shows an experimental study on the strength of PWR steam generator (SG) tubes with various defects under cyclic loads which simulate earthquakes. The tests were done using same SG tubing as actual plants with axial and circumferential defects with various length and depth. In the tests, straight tubes were loaded with cyclic bending moments to simulate earthquake waves and number of load cycles at which tube leak started or tube burst was counted. The test results showed that even tubes with very long crack made by EDM more than 80% depth could stand the maximum earthquake, and tubes with corrosion crack were far stronger than those. Thus the integrity of SG tubes with minute potential defects was demonstrated. (author)

Fracture toughness determination in steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bergant M; Yawny, A; Perez Ipina, J

2012-01-01

The assessment of the structural integrity of steam generator tubes in nuclear power plants deserved increasing attention in the last years due to the negative impact related to their failures. In this context, elastic plastic fracture mechanics (EPFM) methodology appears as a potential tool for the analysis. The application of EPFM requires, necessarily, knowledge of two aspects, i.e., the driving force estimation in terms of an elastic plastic toughness parameter (e.g., J) and the experimental measurement of the fracture toughness of the material (e.g., the material J-resistance curve). The present work describes the development of a non standardized experimental technique aimed to determine J-resistance curves for steam generator tubes with circumferential through wall cracks. The tubes were made of Incoloy 800 (Ni: 30.0-35.0; Cr: 19.0-23.0; Fe: 35.5 min, % in weight). Due to its austenitic microstructure, this alloy shows very high toughness and is widely used in applications where a good corrosion resistance in aqueous environment or an excellent oxidation resistance in high temperature environment is required. Finally, a procedure for the structural integrity analysis of steam generator tubes with crack-like defects, based on a FAD diagram (Failure Assessment Diagram), is briefly described (author)

Testing and analysis of tube voltage and tube current in the radiation generator for mammography

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jung, Hong Ryang; Hong, Dong Hee; Han, Beom Hui

2014-01-01

Breast shooting performance management and quality control of the generator is applied to the amount of current IEC(International Electrotechnical Commission) 60601-2-45 tube voltage and tube current are based on standards that were proposed in the analysis of the test results were as follows. Tube voltage according to the value of the standard deviation by year of manufacture from 2001 to 2010 as a 42-3.15 showed the most significant, according to the year of manufacture by tube amperage value of the standard deviation to 6.38 in the pre-2000 showed the most significant , manufactured after 2011 the standard deviation of the devices, the PAE(Percent Average Error) was relatively low. This latest generation device was manufactured in the breast of the tube voltage and tube diagnosed shooting the correct amount of current to maintain the performance that can be seen. The results of this study as the basis for radiography diagnosed breast caused by using the device's performance and maintain quality control, so the current Food and Drug Administration 'about the safety of diagnostic radiation generator rule' specified in the test cycle during three years of self-inspection radiation on a radiation generating device ensure safety and performance of the device using a coherent X-ray(constancy) by two ultimately able to keep the radiation dose to the public to reduce the expected effect is expected

Assesment of integrity of WWER steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Splichal, K.; Brozova, A.; Zdarek, J.

1992-01-01

Full text: The leak rates measurement project was held to give experimental data enabling the Czechoslovak Atomic Agency Inspection to decree the change in the Technical Specification allowable limit of steam generator activity release on secondary side. The WWER types of nuclear power plants in Czechoslovakia have horizontal steam generators. The tubes studying in frame of the project belong to steam generator WWER- 440 type, the diameter of tube is 16 mm, the wall thickness 1.4 mm. The subject of the project was the measurement of service leak rates of typical in service cracks. Secondary side stress corrosion cracks were determined as the typical crack created in service condition. These cracks were prepared in tubes artificially by exposition in chloride environment accompanied by an internal stress. The experimental device consisted of a pressure vessel connected with pressure water loop, a cooling vessel for leakage medium and a measuring vessel. The leak rates were determined as a slope of plots the leakage volume - time. Inside the pressure vessel the steam generator operation environment was simulated. It means: primary side of tube 12.5 MPa, Z90 deg. C, secondary side -4.6MPa, 250 deg. C, water service quality. We observed reduce of leak rate in course of time in each experiment. We suppose the tubes were stopped up by deposits formed in manufacturing of crack and in experiment. Our opinion has been proved by fractography. Project results in recommendation for in service leak rate limit based on safety factors with respect to critical crack lengths and for determination of tube plugging criteria. (author)

Study on antioxidant experiment on forged steel tube sheet and tube hole for steam generator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zong Hai; Wang Detai; Ding Yang

2012-01-01

Antioxidant experiment on forged steel tube sheet and tube hole for steam generator was studied and the influence of different simulated heat treatments on the antioxidant performance of tube sheet and tube hole was made. The influence of different antioxidant methods on the size of tube hole was drawn. Furthermore, the change of size and weight of 18MnD5 forged steel tube sheet on the condition of different simulated heat treatments was also studied. The analytical results have proved reference information for the use of 18MnD5 material and for key processes of processing tube hole and wearing and expanding U-style tube. (authors)

Embalse steam generators - status in 2009

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Luna, P.; Yetisir, M.; Roy, S.; MacEacheron, R.

2009-01-01

The Embalse Nuclear Generating Station (ENGS) is a CANDU 6, a pressurized heavy water plant, with a net capacity of 648 MW. The primary heat transport system at Embalse includes four Steam Generators (SGs) manufactured by Babcock and Wilcox Canada (B and W). These steam generators are vertical recirculating heat exchangers with Incoloy 800 inverted U-tubes and an integral preheater. Embalse SGs performed very well until the late 1990s, when an increase in tube fretting was noticed in the U-bend region. In-service inspection in 2002 and 2004 confirmed that the cause of the tube fretting was flow accelerated corrosion (FAC) damage of scallop bar supports in the U-bend region. The straight leg tube support plates (TSPs) have also been degrading. Degradation was worst at the top support plates, and it was in the form of material loss on the cold leg. The hot leg TSPs were heavily fouled with deposits and flow areas were blocked. Visual inspections and subsequent studies showed that the cause of the TSP degradation was also FAC. The Embalse SGs have carbon steel supports that make them susceptible to FAC. To mitigate the effects of degraded tube support structures, three additional sets of anti-vibration bars were installed in the U-bend regions of all four steam generators in 2004. In 2007, an improved secondary-side chemistry specification was implemented to reduce the FAC rate and the hot leg TSPs was waterlanced. A root cause analysis and condition assessment was performed for the tube supports in 2007. Fitness for Service (FFS) evaluation was completed using the Canadian Industry Guidelines for steam generator tubes. The steam generators were returned to service and the plan has operated without another forced outage to date. The FAC degradation of the carbon steel U-bend tube support systems has had the most significant impact on the plant operation causing a number of forced outages. The discovery of the extent of TSP degradation and difficulties to repair TSPs

The effect of tube rupture location on the consequences of multiple steam generator tube rupture event

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jeong, Ji Hwan; Kweon, Young Chul

2002-01-01

A multiple steam generator tube rupture (MSGTR) event has never occurred in the commercial operation of nuclear reactors while single steam generator tube rupture (SGTR) events are reported to occur every 2 years. As there has been no occurrence of a MSGTR event, the understanding of transients and consequences of this event is very limited. In this study, a postulated MSGTR event in an advanced power reactor 1400 (APR 1400) is analyzed using the thermal-hydraulic system code, MARS1.4. The APR 1400 is a two-loop, 3893 MWt, PWR proposed to be built in 2010. The present study aims to understand the effects of rupture location in heat transfer tubes following a MSGTR event. The effects of five tube rupture locations are compared with each other. The comparison shows that the response of APR1400 allows the shortest time for operator action following a tube rupture in the vicinity of the hot-leg side tube sheet and allows the longest time following a tube rupture at the tube top. The MSSV lift time for rupture at the tube-top is evaluated as 24.5% larger than that for rupture at the hot-leg side tube sheet

A global fouling factor methodology for analyzing steam generator thermal performance degradation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kreider, M.A.; White, G.A.; Varrin, R.D. Jr.

1998-06-01

Over the past few years, steam generator (SG) thermal performance degradation has led to decreased plant efficiency and power output at numerous PWR nuclear power plants with recirculating-type SGs. The authors have developed and implemented methodologies for quantitatively evaluating the various sources of SG performance degradation, both internal and external to the SG pressure boundary. These methodologies include computation of the global fouling factor history, evaluation of secondary deposit thermal resistance using deposit characterization data, and consideration of pressure loss causes unrelated to the tube bundle, such as hot-leg temperature streaming and SG moisture separator fouling. In order to evaluate the utility of the global fouling factor methodology, the authors performed case studies for a number of PWR SG designs. Key results from two of these studies are presented here. In tandem with the fouling-factor analyses, a study evaluated for each plant the potential causes of pressure loss. The combined results of the global fouling factor calculations and the pressure-loss evaluations demonstrated two key points: (1) that the available thermal margin against fouling, which can vary substantially from plant to plant, has an important bearing on whether a given plant exhibits losses in electrical generating capacity, and (2) that a wide variety of causes can result in SG thermal performance degradation

Considerations in selecting tubing materials for CANDU steam generators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hemmings, R.L.

1978-01-01

Corrosion resistance is the major consideration in selecting tubing material for CANDU steam generators. Corrosion, and additional considerations, lead to the following steam generator tubing material recommendations: for CANDU-BPHWR's (boiling pressurized heavy water reactors) low-cobalt Incoloy-800; for CANDU-PHWR's (pressurized, non-boiling, heavy water reactors), low-cobalt Monel-400

An in-tube radar for detecting cracks in metal tubing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Caffey, Thurlow W. H.; Nassersharif, Bahram; Garcia, Gabe V.; Smith, Phillip R.; Jedlicka, Russell P.; Hensel, Edward C.

2000-01-01

A major cause of failures in heat exchangers and steam generators in nuclear power plants is degradation of the tubes within them. The tube failure is often caused by the development of cracks that begin on the outer surface of the tube and propagate both inwards and laterally. A new technique will be described for detection of defects using a continuous-wave radar device within metal tubing. The technique is 100% volumetric, and may find smaller defects, find them more rapidly, and find them less expensively than present methods. Because this project was started only recently, there is no demonstrated performance to report so far. However, the basic engineering concepts will be presented together with a description of the milestone tasks and dates

CANDU steam generator tubing material service experience and allied development

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hart, A.E.; Lesurf, J.E.

1976-01-01

This paper covers the following aspects for the tube materials in CANDU-PHW steam generators: inservice performance with respect to tube leaks and coolant activity attributable to boiler tube corrosion, selection of tube materials for use with non-boiling and boiling primary coolants, supporting development on corrosion, vibration, fretting wear, tube inspection, leak detection and plugging of defective tubes. (author)

Analytical tools and methodologies for evaluation of residual life of contacting pressure tubes in the early generation of Indian PHWRs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sinha, S.K.; Madhusoodanan, K.; Rupani, B.B.; Sinha, R.K.

2002-01-01

In-service life of a contacting Zircaloy-2 pressure tube (PT) in the earlier generation of Indian PHWRs, is limited mainly due to the accelerated hydrogen pick-up and nucleation and growth of hydride blister(s) at the cold spot(s) formed on outside surface of pressure tube as a result of its contact with the calandria tube (CT). The activities involving development of the analytical models for simulating the degradation mechanisms leading to PT-CT contact and the methodologies for the revaluation of their safe life under such condition form the important part of our extensive programme for the life management of contacting pressure tubes. Since after the PT-CT contact, rate of hydrogen pick-up and nucleation and growth of hydride blisters govern the safe residual life of the pressure tube, two analytical models (a) hydrogen pick-up model ('HYCON') and (b) model for the nucleation and growth of hydride blister at the contact spot ('BLIST -2D') have been developed in-house to estimate the extent of degradation caused by them. Along with them, a methodology for evaluation of safe residual life has also been formulated for evaluating the safe residual life of the contacting channels. This paper gives the brief description of the models and the methodologies relevant for the contacting Zircaloy-2 pressure tubes. (author)

Decontamination of Steam Generator tube using Abrasive Blasting Technology

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Min, B. Y.; Kim, G. N.; Choi, W. K.; Lee, K. W.; Kim, D. H.; Kim, K. H.; Kim, B. T.

2010-01-01

As a part of a technology development of volume reduction and self disposal for large metal waste project, We at KAERI and our Sunkwang Atomic Energy Safety (KAES) subcontractor colleagues are demonstrating radioactively contaminated steam generator tube by abrasive blasting technology at Kori-1 NPP. A steam generator is a crucial component in a PWR (pressurized Water Reactor). It is the crossing between the primary, contaminated, circuit and the secondary waste-steam circuit. The heat from the primary reactor coolant loop is transferred to the secondary side in thousands of small tubes. Due to several problems in the material of those tube, like SCC (Stress Corrosion Cracking), insufficient control in water chemistry, which can be cause of tube leakage, more and more steam generators are replaced today. Only in Korea, already 2 of them are replaced and will be replaced in the near future. The retired 300 ton heavy Steam generator was stored at the storage waste building of Kori NPP site. The steam generator waste has a large volume, so that it is necessary to reduce its volume by decontamination. A waste reduction effect can be obtained through decontamination of the inner surface of a steam generator. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an optimum method for decontamination of the inner surface of bundle tubes. The dry abrasive blasting is a very interesting technology for the realization of three-dimensional microstructures in brittle materials like glass or silicon. Dry abrasive blasting is applicable to most surface materials except those that might be shattered by the abrasive. It is most effective on flat surface and because the abrasive is sprayed and can also applicable on 'hard to reach' areas such as inner tube ceilings or behind equipment. Abrasive decontamination techniques have been applied in several countries, including Belgium, the CIS, France, Germany, Japan, the UK and the USA

Vibration and wear prediction for steam generator tubes: Final report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rao, M.S.M.; Gupta, G.D.; Eisinger, F.L.

1988-06-01

As part of the overall EPRI program to develop a mechanistic model for tube fretting and wear prediction, Foster Wheeler Development Corporation undertook the responsibility of developing analytical models to predict structural response and wear in a multispan tube. The project objective was to develop the analytical capability to simulate the time-dependent motion of a multispan steam generator tube in the presence of the clearance gaps at each tube baffle or support. The models developed were to simulate nonlinear tube-to-tube support interaction by determining the impact force, the sliding distance, and the resultant tube wear. Other objectives of the project included: validate the models by comparing the analytical results with the EPRI tests done at Combustion Engineering (C-E) on single multispan tubes; test the models for simulating the U-bend region of the steam generator tube, including the antivibration bars; and develop simplified methods to treat the nonlinear dynamic problem of a multispan tube so that computing costs could be minimized. 15 refs., 53 figs., 27 tabs

Numerical and Experimental Study on a Model Draft Tube with Vortex Generators

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Tian Xiaoqing

2013-01-01

Full Text Available A model water turbine draft tube containing vortex generators (VG was studied. Numerical simulations were performed to investigate 55 design variations of the vortex generators in a draft tube. After analyzing the shapes of streamlines and velocity distributions in the tube and comparing static pressure recovery coefficients (SPRC in different design variations, an optimum vortex generator layout, which can raise SPRC of the draft tube by 4.8 percent, was found. To verify the effectiveness of the vortex generator application, a series of experiments were carried out. The results show that by choosing optimal vortex generator parameters, such as the installation type, installation position, blade-to-blade distance, and blade inclination angle, the draft tube equipped vortex generators can effectively raise their SPRC andworking stability.

Analysis of tube vibrations in D-4 steam generator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mavko, B.; Peterlin, G.; Boltezar, M.

1983-01-01

Accelerometer data for the most exposed tube in steam generator D-4 were recorded on magnetic tape. Procedures for calculations of the most characteristic parameters were prepared for spectral analyzer on SD 360. Parameters which most satisfactorily describe the vibrations are power spectral densities peak to peak acceleration volume and root mean square displacement. Computer program was written to calculate the natural frequencies of a multispaned tube. Procedures and the computer program will be used for independent analysis of tube vibrations in Krsko D-4 type steam generator. (author)

Experimental study of tube/support impact forces in multi-span PWR steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Axisa, F.; Desseaux, A.; Gibert, R.J.

1984-12-01

The vibro-impact response of a straight part of a steam generator tube is investigated experimentally and using numerical simulation with the aim to relate tube overall dynamics with excitation and tube-support clearance. Configuration studied here corresponds to the tube being excited in only one direction at its first resonance presenting an antinode of vibration at the impacted support. Tests show namely that midspan displacement of tube is almost proportional to excitation level and clearance. Impact forces averaged over a cycle of vibration are almost proportional to excitation and poorly dependent on clearance. Results of numerical simulation are in fairly good agreement with test results

Evaluation of sampling schemes for in-service inspection of steam generator tubing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hanlen, R.C.

1990-03-01

This report is a follow-on of work initially sponsored by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Bowen et al. 1989). The work presented here is funded by EPRI and is jointly sponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The goal of this research was to evaluate fourteen sampling schemes or plans. The main criterion used for evaluating plan performance was the effectiveness for sampling, detecting and plugging defective tubes. The performance criterion was evaluated across several choices of distributions of degraded/defective tubes, probability of detection (POD) curves and eddy-current sizing models. Conclusions from this study are dependent upon the tube defect distributions, sample size, and expansion rules considered. As degraded/defective tubes form ''clusters'' (i.e., maps 6A, 8A and 13A), the smaller sample sizes provide a capability of detecting and sizing defective tubes that approaches 100% inspection. When there is little or no clustering (i.e., maps 1A, 20 and 21), sample efficiency is approximately equal to the initial sample size taken. Thee is an indication (though not statistically significant) that the systematic sampling plans are better than the random sampling plans for equivalent initial sample size. There was no indication of an effect due to modifying the threshold value for the second stage expansion. The lack of an indication is likely due to the specific tube flaw sizes considered for the six tube maps. 1 ref., 11 figs., 19 tabs

Corrosion behaviour of a stream generator tube material in simulated steam generator feedwater containing chlorides and sulphates

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bojinov, M.; Kinnunen, P.; Laitinen, T.; Maekelae, K.; Saario, T.; Sirkiae, P.; Yliniemi, K. [VTT Manufacturing Technology, Espoo (Finland); Buddas, T.; Halin, M.; Tompuri, K. [Fortum Power and Heat Oy, Loviisa Power Plant (Finland)

2002-07-01

The goal of the present work has been to assess the effect of relatively high concentrations of anionic impurities (Cl{sup -}, SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}) on the corrosion behaviour of Ti-stabilised stainless steel SG tubes in simulated steam generator feed-water. The main observations of this work can be summarised as follows: Sulphate ions seem to be more aggressive than chloride ions towards the primary passive film on 08X18H10T stainless steel. The results may indicate that it is more important to have a low concentration of sulphate ions than of chloride ions in secondary side water when the effects of chemical conditions on tube degradation are considered. The presence of chloride ions seems to weaken the detrimental effect of sulphate ions on the stability of oxide films growing on 08X18H10T stainless steel. No localised corrosion features of 08X18H10T stainless steel were detected in the voltammetric and impedance measurements in solutions containing up to 5000 ppb sulphates, chlorides or both of the anions. (authors)

Corrosion behaviour of a stream generator tube material in simulated steam generator feedwater containing chlorides and sulphates

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bojinov, M.; Kinnunen, P.; Laitinen, T.; Maekelae, K.; Saario, T.; Sirkiae, P.; Yliniemi, K.; Buddas, T.; Halin, M.; Tompuri, K.

2002-01-01

The goal of the present work has been to assess the effect of relatively high concentrations of anionic impurities (Cl - , SO 4 2- ) on the corrosion behaviour of Ti-stabilised stainless steel SG tubes in simulated steam generator feed-water. The main observations of this work can be summarised as follows: Sulphate ions seem to be more aggressive than chloride ions towards the primary passive film on 08X18H10T stainless steel. The results may indicate that it is more important to have a low concentration of sulphate ions than of chloride ions in secondary side water when the effects of chemical conditions on tube degradation are considered. The presence of chloride ions seems to weaken the detrimental effect of sulphate ions on the stability of oxide films growing on 08X18H10T stainless steel. No localised corrosion features of 08X18H10T stainless steel were detected in the voltammetric and impedance measurements in solutions containing up to 5000 ppb sulphates, chlorides or both of the anions. (authors)

Development and application of an efficient method for performing modal analysis of steam generator tubes in nuclear power plants

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rhee, Huinam [Dept of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, 540-742 (Korea, Republic of); Boo, Myung-Hwan [Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Company, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon 305-343 (Korea, Republic of); Park, Chi-Yong [KEPCO Research Institute, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon 305-380 (Korea, Republic of); Ryu, Ki-Wahn, E-mail: kwryu@chonbuk.ac.k [Department of Aerospace Engineering, Chonbuk National University, 664-14, Deogjin-Dong, Jeonju 561-756 (Korea, Republic of)

2010-10-15

with the FIV analysis program, it gives an amazing benefit, which makes the FIV analysis of all tubes possible within a limited time during the design or maintenance period. Using the developed program, the stability ratio regarding the fluid-elastic instability and the amplitude of vibration resulting from the turbulence flow excitation can be calculated for all tubes according the standard ASME Code, therefore, much more reliable design of the steam generator against the FIV related failures can be achieved. For an operating plant, there is a requirement that every single tube must be quantitatively checked whether wear would be more than 40% in thickness during the next operation period. If yes, the tube must be plugged to prevent severe failure including the tube wall penetration. In order to decide the tube plugging, which leads the plant performance degradation, the wear prediction is required. The wear prediction analysis needs wear data by ultrasonic testing and modal property data of tubes. PIAT-MODE will be a power tool enabling the wear prediction in a limited maintenance period by supplying modal data for all tubes.

Failures of fine tubes of steam generators and the essential defects

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kawano, Shinji; Ebisawa, Toru; Sato, Susumu.

1976-01-01

Light water reactors were sold to Japan as their economy and safety have been established, but the average availability of 11 reactors in Japan during 7 year operation is only 53%, and it is being proved that there are questions in the safety and economy. In this report, the failures of fine tubes of steam generators are discussed from the standpoint of the corrosion of materials. First, the functions and construction of the fine tubes of steam generators in PWRs are explained. The failures of the fine tubes of steam generators became frequent since the beginning of 1970s as large capacity nuclear power stations have started the operation. When the fine tubes are pierced with holes during operation and the radioactivity in primary coolant leaks into secondary coolant, it is detected with radioactivity monitors. In order to find out the broken tubes, eddy current flaw detectors are used, and the tubes on which flaws were detected we plugged by explosion welding. In these works, many manual operations are included, and the radiation exposure of workers and the difficulties in the operations are the problems. The cases of the tube failures in Japan and foreign countries, the causes and the countermeasures are described. Chemical corrosion, thermal stress cycle, shaving off due to eddy flow, and stress corrosion are the probable causes. The safety of steam generators is essentially in extremely poor state. The seriousness of the tube failures in steam generators is emphasized. (Kako, I.)

How safe is defect specific maintenance of steam generator tubes?

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dvorsek, T.; Cizelj, L.

1995-01-01

Outside diameter stress corrosion cracking at the tube to tube support plate intersections is assessed in the paper. The impact of defect specific maintenance on steam generator operation safety and reliability was investigated. This was performed by comparing efficiencies of defect specific and traditional maintenance strategy. The efficiency was studied through expected primary-to-secondary leak rate and tube rupture probability in a case of postulated accidental operating conditions, and number of tubes which shall be plugged using both maintenance strategies. In general, the efficiency of specific maintenance is function of particular steam generator and operating cycle. (author)

Implementation status of performance demonstration program for steam generator tubing analysts in Korea

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cho, Chan Hee; Lee, Hee Jong; Yoo, Hyun Ju; Nam, Min Woo; Hong, Sung Yull

2013-01-01

Some essential components in nuclear power plants are periodically inspected using non destructive examinations, for example ultrasonic, eddy current and radiographic examinations, in order to determine their integrity. These components include nuclear power plant items such as vessels, containments, piping systems, pumps, valves, tubes and core support structure. Steam generator tubes have an important safety role because they constitute one of the primary barriers between the radioactive and non radioactive sides of the nuclear power plant. There is potential that if a tube bursts while a plant is operating, radioactivity from the primary coolant system could escape directly to the atmosphere. Therefore, in service inspections are critical in maintaining steam generator tube integrity. In general, the eddy current testing is widely used for the inspection of steam generator tubes due tube integrity. In general, the eddy current testing is widely used for the inspection of steam generator tubes due to its high inspection speed and flaw detectability on non magnetic tubes. However, it is not easy to analyze correctly eddy current signals because they are influenced by many factors. Therefore, the performance of eddy current data analysts for steam generator tubing should be demonstrated comprehensively. In Korea, the performance of steam generator tubing analysts has been demonstrated using the Qualified Data Analyst program. This paper describes the performance demonstration program for steam generator tubing analysts and its implementation results in Korea. The pass rate of domestic analysts for this program was 71.4%

Implementation status of performance demonstration program for steam generator tubing analysts in Korea

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cho, Chan Hee; Lee, Hee Jong; Yoo, Hyun Ju; Nam, Min Woo [KHNP Central Research Institute, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of); Hong, Sung Yull [Yeungnam Univ., Gyeongsan (Korea, Republic of)

2013-02-15

Some essential components in nuclear power plants are periodically inspected using non destructive examinations, for example ultrasonic, eddy current and radiographic examinations, in order to determine their integrity. These components include nuclear power plant items such as vessels, containments, piping systems, pumps, valves, tubes and core support structure. Steam generator tubes have an important safety role because they constitute one of the primary barriers between the radioactive and non radioactive sides of the nuclear power plant. There is potential that if a tube bursts while a plant is operating, radioactivity from the primary coolant system could escape directly to the atmosphere. Therefore, in service inspections are critical in maintaining steam generator tube integrity. In general, the eddy current testing is widely used for the inspection of steam generator tubes due tube integrity. In general, the eddy current testing is widely used for the inspection of steam generator tubes due to its high inspection speed and flaw detectability on non magnetic tubes. However, it is not easy to analyze correctly eddy current signals because they are influenced by many factors. Therefore, the performance of eddy current data analysts for steam generator tubing should be demonstrated comprehensively. In Korea, the performance of steam generator tubing analysts has been demonstrated using the Qualified Data Analyst program. This paper describes the performance demonstration program for steam generator tubing analysts and its implementation results in Korea. The pass rate of domestic analysts for this program was 71.4%.

Hydride-induced degradation of hoop ductility in textured zirconium-alloy tubes: A theoretical analysis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Qin, W.; Szpunar, J.A.; Kozinski, J.

2012-01-01

Hydride-induced degradation of hoop ductility in Zr-alloy tubular components has been studied for many years because of its importance in the nuclear industry. In this paper the role of intergranular and intragranular δ-hydrides in the degradation of ductility of the textured Zr-alloy tubes is investigated. The correlation among hydride distribution, orientation and morphology in the tubes is formulated based on thermodynamic modeling, and then analyzed. The results show that the applied stress, the crystallographic texture of α-Zr matrix, the grain-boundary structure, and the morphology and size of Zr grains simultaneously govern the site preference and the orientation of hydrides. A criterion is proposed to determine the threshold stress of hydride reorientation. The hoop ductility of the hydrided Zr tubes is discussed using the concept of macroscopic fracture strain. It is shown that the intergranular hydrides may be more deleterious to ductility than the intragranular ones. This work defines a general framework for understanding the relation of the microstructure of hydride-forming materials to embrittlement.

Fretting wear damage of steam generator tubes and its prediction modeling

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Che Honglong; Lei Mingkai

2013-01-01

The steam generator is the key equipment used for the energy transition in nuclear power plant. Since the high-temperature and high-pressure fluid flows with high speed, the steam generator tubes will be excited and vibrate, leading to the tremendous fretting wear problem on the tubes, sometimes even leading to tube cracking. This paper introduces typical fretting wear cases, the result of corresponding simulation wear experiment and damage mechanism which combining mechanical wear and erosion-corrosion. Work rate model could give a reasonable life prediction about the steam generator tube, and this predictive model has been used in nuclear power plant safety assessment. (authors)

Reliability of eddy current examination of steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Birks, A.S.; Ferris, R.H.; Doctor, P.G.; Clark, R.A.; Spanner, G.E.

1985-04-01

A unique study of nondestructive examination reliability is underway at the Pacific Northwest Laboratory under US Nuclear Regulatory Commission sponsorship. Project participants include the Electric Power Research Institute and consortiums from France, Italy, and Japan. This study group has conducted a series of NDE examinations of tubes from a retired-from-service steam generator, using commercially available multifrequency eddy current equipment and ASME procedures. The examination results have been analyzed to identify factors contributing to variations in NDE inspection findings. The reliability of these examinations will then be validated by destructive analyses of the steam generator tubes. The program is expected to contribute to development of a model for steam generator inservice inspection sampling plans and inspection periods, as well as to improved regulatory guidelines for tube plugging

Current Status on the Development of a Double Wall Tube Steam Generator

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nam, Ho Yun; Choi, Byoung Hae; Kim, Jong Man; Kim, Byung Ho

2007-12-15

A fast reactor, which uses sodium as a coolant, has a lot of merits as a next generation nuclear reactor. However, the possibility of a sodium-water reaction occurrence hinders the commercialization of this reactor. As one way to improve the reliability of a steam generator, a double-wall tube steam generator is being developed in GEN-4 program. In this report, the current state of the technical developments for a double-wall tube steam generator are reviewed and a future plan for the development of a double-wall tube steam generator is established. The current focuses of this research are an improvement of the heat transfer capability for a double-wall tube and the development of a proper leak detection method for the failure of a double-wall tube during a reactor operation. The ideal goal is an on-line leak detection of a double wall tube to prevent the sodium-water reaction. However, such a method is not developed as yet. An alternative method is being used to improve the reliability of a steam generator by performing a non-destructive test of a double wall tube during the refueling period of a reactor. In this method a straight double wall tube is employed to perform this test easily, but has a difficulty regarding an absorption of a thermal expansion of the used materials. If an on-line leak detection method is developed, the demerits of a straight double-wall tube are avoided by using a helical type double-wall tube, and the probability of a sodium-water reaction can be reduced to a level less than the design-based accident.

Dynamic Characteristics of Steam Generator Tubes with Defect due to Wear

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Park, Sangjin; Rhee, Huinam [Sunchon National Univ., Sunchon (Korea, Republic of); Yoon, Doo Byung [Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)

2013-05-15

These defects may affect the dynamic characteristics of tubes, and therefore, the vibrational behavior of the tube due to flow-induced loads can be varied. Change in the vibrational response of a tube may result in different wear characteristics from the design condition, which must be checked for both safety and economic point of view. This paper deals with the study on the effect of wears or cracks on the dynamic characteristics of steam generator tubes using finite element analysis. In this paper the effect of defects on the surface due to wear on the variation of dynamic characteristics of steam generator tubes was studied using the finite element analysis. The changes of natural frequencies and mode shapes can directly affect the flow-induced vibration response characteristics, therefore, they must be evaluated appropriately. The results in this study can be a good basis to estimate the FIV characteristics of the steam generator tubes having defects such as wear or crack.

Anatomy Education for the YouTube Generation

Science.gov (United States)

Barry, Denis S.; Marzouk, Fadi; Chulak-Oglu, Kyrylo; Bennett, Deirdre; Tierney, Paul; O'Keeffe, Gerard W.

2016-01-01

Anatomy remains a cornerstone of medical education despite challenges that have seen a significant reduction in contact hours over recent decades; however, the rise of the "YouTube Generation" or "Generation Connected" (Gen C), offers new possibilities for anatomy education. Gen C, which consists of 80% Millennials, actively…

Estimating probable flaw distributions in PWR steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gorman, J.A.; Turner, A.P.L.

1997-01-01

This paper describes methods for estimating the number and size distributions of flaws of various types in PWR steam generator tubes. These estimates are needed when calculating the probable primary to secondary leakage through steam generator tubes under postulated accidents such as severe core accidents and steam line breaks. The paper describes methods for two types of predictions: (1) the numbers of tubes with detectable flaws of various types as a function of time, and (2) the distributions in size of these flaws. Results are provided for hypothetical severely affected, moderately affected and lightly affected units. Discussion is provided regarding uncertainties and assumptions in the data and analyses

Single-tube library preparation for degraded DNA

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Carøe, Christian; Gopalakrishnan, Shyam; Vinner, Lasse

2018-01-01

these obstacles and enable higher throughput are therefore of interest to researchers working with degraded DNA. 2.In this study, we compare four Illumina library preparation protocols, including two “single-tube” methods developed for this study with the explicit aim of improving data quality and reducing...... of chemically damaged and highly fragmented DNA molecules. In particular, the enzymatic reactions and DNA purification steps during library preparation can result in DNA template loss and sequencing biases, affecting downstream analyses. The development of library preparation methods that circumvent...... preparation time and expenses. The methods are tested on grey wolf (Canis lupus) museum specimens. 3.We found single-tube protocols increase library complexity, yield more reads that map uniquely to the reference genome, reduce processing time, and may decrease laboratory costs by 90%. 4.Given the advantages...

Effect of tube plugging in the thermalhydraulic performance of 'U' tube steam generators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Braga, C.V.M.; Carajilescov, P.

1981-05-01

The thermalhydraulic performance of Angra II steam generator has been simulated using the model developed by Braga, C.V.M., 'Thermohydraulic model for steam generator of PWR power plants', in steady state, with plugging up to 40% of total number of tubes. (E.G.) [pt

Heat exchanger tubing materials for CANDU nuclear generating stations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Taylor, G.F.

1977-07-01

The performance of steam generator tubing (nickel-chromium-iron alloy in NPD and nickel-copper alloy in Douglas Point and Pickering generating stations) has been outstanding and no corrosion-induced failures have occurred. The primary coolant will be allowed to boil in the 600 MW (electrical) CANDU-PHW reactors. An iron-nickel-chromium alloy has been selected for the steam generator tubing because it will result in lower radiation fields than the alloys used before. It is also more resistant than nickel-chromium-iron alloy to stress corrosion cracking in the high purity water of the primary circuit, an unlikely but conceivable hazard associated with higher operating temperatures. Austenitic alloy and ferritic-austenitic stainless steel tubing have been selected for the moderator coolers in CANDU reactors being designed and under construction. These materials will reduce the radiation fields around the moderator circuit while retaining the good resistance to corrosion in service water that has characterized the copper-nickel alloys now in use. Brass and bronze tubes in feedwater heaters and condensers have given satisfactory service but do, however, complicate corrosion control in the steam cycle and, to reduce the transport of corrosion products from the feedtrain to the steam generator, stainless steel is preferred for feedwater heaters and stainlss steel or titanium for condensers. (author)

Failure Pressure Estimates of Steam Generator Tubes Containing Wear-type Defects

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yoon-Suk Chang; Jong-Min Kim; Nam-Su Huh; Young-Jin Kim; Seong Sik Hwang; Joung-Soo Kim

2006-01-01

It is commonly requested that steam generator tubes with defects exceeding 40% of wall thickness in depth should be plugged to sustain all postulated loads with appropriate margin. The critical defect dimensions have been determined based on the concept of plastic instability. This criterion, however, is known to be too conservative for some locations and types of defects. In this context, the accurate failure estimation for steam generator tubes with a defect draws increasing attention. Although several guidelines have been developed and are used for assessing the integrity of defected tubes, most of these guidelines are related to stress corrosion cracking or wall-thinning phenomena. As some of steam generator tubes are also failed due to fretting and so on, alternative failure estimation schemes for relevant defects are required. In this paper, three-dimensional finite element (FE) analyses are carried out under internal pressure condition to simulate the failure behavior of steam generator tubes with different defect configurations; elliptical wastage type, wear scar type and rectangular wastage type defects. Maximum pressures based on material strengths are obtained from more than a hundred FE results to predict the failure of the steam generator tube. After investigating the effect of key parameters such as wastage depth, wastage length and wrap angle, simplified failure estimation equations are proposed in relation to the equivalent stress at the deepest point in wastage region. Comparison of failure pressures predicted according to the proposed estimation scheme with some corresponding burst test data shows good agreement, which provides a confidence in the use of the proposed equations to assess the integrity of steam generator tubes with wear-type defects. (authors)

Preliminary evaluation of steam generator tube rupture (SGTR) accident in lead cooled reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Frano, R. Lo; Forasassi, G.

2009-01-01

In this paper some contributions are provided to the development of a European Lead-cooled System, known as the ELSY project (within EU-6 Framework Project); that will constitute a possible reference system for a large lead-cooled reactor of GEN IV. Steam generator (SG) tubing of this system type might be subject to a variety of degradation processes, such as cracking, wall thinning and potential leakage or rupture, eventually leading to the failure of one or more SG tubes that constitute a steam generator tube rupture (SGTR) accident with possible consequences for the safety of the primary systems. It is therefore of interest for the designer to know how the SG itself, as well as the vessel and internals structures, behave under impulsive loading conditions (in form of a rapid and strong increase of pressure) that can arise as consequences of the interaction between the primary and secondary coolants (lead-water interaction). The analysed initiator event, as already mentioned, is a large break (up to a double ended guillotine break) of one (or more) SG cooling tubes that may become severe enough to determine dangerous effects on the interested structures. In order to better simulate and perform the mentioned postulated SGTR accident sequence analyses, an appropriate numerical model with the available computing resources (FEM codes) was set up at the DIMNP of Pisa University. That model was used to evaluate the effects of the propagation of the blast pressure waves inside the SG structures, taking into account also the sloshing phenomenon that could be induced by the lead primary coolant motions. Therefore the SGTR effects study may be considered as a transient and non linear problem the solution of which provides the 'time histories' of hydrodynamic pressures and stresses on the reactor pressure vessel and internals walls. (author)

Steam generator tube integrity requirements and operating experience in the United States

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Karwoski, K.J.

2009-01-01

Steam generator tube integrity is important to the safe operation of pressurized-water reactors. For ensuring tube integrity, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission uses a regulatory framework that is largely performance based. This performance-based framework is supplemented with some prescriptive requirements. The framework recognizes that there are three combinations of tube materials and heat treatments currently used in the United States and that the operating experience depends, in part, on the type of material used. This paper summarizes the regulatory framework for ensuring steam generator tube integrity, it highlights the current status of steam generators, and it highlights some of the steam generator issues and challenges that exist in the United States. (author)

Development of the double-wall-tube steam generator. Evaluation of inner tube leak detection system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Teraoku, Takuji; Kisohara, Naoyuki

1995-01-01

A double-wall-tube steam generator (DWT-SG) is considered to have possibility of eliminating a secondary heat transport system to realize a reliable and simplified FBR plant. Thus, basic tests for inner/outer tube leak detection and prototypical leak tests by use of the 1MWt DWT-SG model have been performed to evaluate the feasibility of DWT-SG. Their results demonstrated that the inner leak detection system can definitely detect a steam leak from an inner tube flaw. Analyses of the inner tube leak and detection behavior obtained in the 1MWt DWT-SG test enabled to estimate the performance of the inner tube detection system of the commercial DWT-SG system. (author)

Scale Thickness Measurement of Steam Generator Tubing Using Eddy Current Signal of Bobbin Coil

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Chang Soo; Um, Ki Soo; Kim, Jae Dong

2012-01-01

Steam generator is one of the major components of nuclear power plant and steam generator tubes are the pressure boundary between primary and secondary side, which makes them critical for nuclear safety. As the operating time of nuclear power plant increases, not only damage mechanisms but also scaled deposits on steam generator tubes are known to be problematic causing tube support flow hole blockage and heat fouling. The ability to assess the extent and location of scaled deposits on tubes became essential for management and maintenance of steam generator and eddy current bobbin data can be utilized to measure thickness of scale on tubes. In this paper, tube reference standards with various thickness of scaled deposit has been set up to provide information about the overall deposit condition of steam generator tubes, providing essential tool for steam generator management and maintenance to predict and prevent future damages. Also, methodology to automatically measure scale thickness on tubes has been developed and applied to field data to estimate overall scale amount.

Flaw analysis in steam generator tube

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hutin, J.P.; Billon, F.

1985-08-01

Operating more than 30 PWR units, Electricite de France has to face several steam generator tube problems. One of the most serious difficulties is the stress corrosion cracking due to primary fluid, just above the tube sheet, in the roll transition region. With regard to availability it is, of course, a major concern; with regard to safety, the point is that tube rupture should be preceded by a significant primary-to-secondary leak during normal operation so that the reactor should be shut down before failure occurs. The demonstration of this assessment asks for experimental and analytical evidences. In 1981, Elecricite de France started a comprehensive program on that subject. A general description of this program and the main results are to be presented during the SMIRT-8 Conference. The purpose of the present paper is to develop in greater detail the analytical part of the work

Structural and leakage integrity assessment of WWER steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Splichal, K.; Otruba, J.; Keilova, E.; Krhounek, V.; Turek, J.

1996-01-01

The leakage and plugging limits were derived for WWER steam generators based on leak and burst tests using tubes with axial part-through and through-wall defects. The following conclusions were arrived at: (i) The permissible primary-to-secondary leak rate with respect to the permissible through-wall defect size of WWER-440 and WWER-1000 steam generator tubes is 8 l/h. (ii) The primary-to-secondary leak rate is reduced by the blocking of the tube cracks by corrosion product particles and other substances. (iii) The rate of crack penetration through the tube wall is higher than the crack widening. (iv) The validity of the criterion of instability for tubes with through-wall cracks was confirmed experimentally. For the WWER-440 and WWER-1000 steam generators, the critical size of axial through-wall cracks, for the threshold primary-to-secondary pressure difference, is 13.8 and 12.0 mm, respectively. (v) The calculated leakage for the rupture of one tube and for the assumed extreme defects is two orders and one order of magnitude, respectively, higher than the proposed primary water leakage limit of 8 l/h. (vi) The experiments gave evidence that the use of the permissible thinning limit of 80% for the heat exchange tube plugging does not bring about uncontrollable leakage or unstable crack growth. This is consistent with experience gained at WWER-440 type nuclear power plants. 4 tabs., 5 figs., 9 refs

Forming a cohesive steam generator maintenance strategy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Poudroux, G.

1991-01-01

In older nuclear plants, steam generator tube bundles are the most fragile part of the reactor coolant system. Steam generator tubes are subject to numerous types of loading, which can lead to severe degradation (corrosion and wear phenomena). Preventive actions, such as reactor coolant temperature reduction or increasing the plugging limit and their associated analyses, can increase steam generator service life. Beyond these preventive actions, the number of affected tubes and the different locations of the degradations that occur often make repair campaigns necessary. Framatome has developed and qualified a wide range of treatment and repair processes. They enable careful management of the repair campaigns, to avoid reaching the maximum steam generator tube plugging limit, while optimizing the costs. Most of the available repair techniques allow a large number of affected tubes to be treated. Here we look only at those techniques that should be taken into account when defining a maintenance strategy. (author)

A predictive model for steam generator degradation through PW SCC in roll transitions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hernalsteen, P.

1989-01-01

The tubebundle of pressurized water reactors steam generators (SG) has been affected by numerous corrosion damages, in various nuclear plants, all over the world. One of the main problems is primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) in the roll transitions of mill annealed Inconel 600 tubes mechanically expanded in the SG tubesheet. Multiple axial cracks are initiated from the primary side and grow rapidly through water; they further grow in length and propagate outside of the roll transition. In most plants, both in Europe and in the USA, short penning has been performed on the inside diameter of the expanded section of susceptible tubing. While the compressive surface layer induced by peening is considered to be efficient in preventing crack initiation, field experience showed that it did not prevent preexisting cracks from further propagation. For the usual case of SG peened after crack initiation, there is thus a remaining concern about the long term evolution of the population of cracked tubes. This paper presents a model to predict the SG degradation process in order to support both the maintenance policy and the longer term repair/replacement strategy

Stress analysis of steam generator row-1 tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Woo Gon; Ryu, Woo Seog; Lee, Ho Jin; Kim, Sung Chung

2000-01-01

Residual stresses induced in U-bending and tube-to-tubesheet joining processes of PWR's steam generator row-1 tube were measured by X-ray method and Hole-Drilling Method(HDM). The stresses resulting from the internal pressure and the temperature gradient in the steam generator were also estimated theoretically. In U-bent regions, the residual stresses at extrados were induced with compressive stress(-), and its maximum value reached -319 Mpa in axial direction at ψ=0 .deg. in position. Maximum tensile residual stress of 170 MPa was found to be at the flank side at position of ψ=90 deg., i.e., at apex region. In tube-to-tubesheet joining methods, the residual stresses induced by the explosive joint method were found to be lower than that by the mechanical roll method. The gradient of residual stress along the expanded tube was highest at the transition region, and the residual stress in circumferential direction was found to be higher than the residual stress in axial direction. Hoop stress due to an internal pressure between primary and secondary side was analyzed to be 76 MPa and thermal stress was 45 MPa

NRC concerns about steam generator tube U-bend failures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dillon, R.L.

1981-01-01

This paper concerns itself with genralized NRC regulatory policy regarding SGT failures and staff reports and opinions which may tend to influence the developing policy specific to U-bend failures. The most significant analysis at hand in predicting NRC policy on SGT U-bend failures is Marsh's Evaluation of Steam Generator Tube Rupture Events. Marsh sets out to describe and analyze the five steam generator tube ruptures that are known to NRC. All have occurred in the period 1975 to 1980

Internal ultrasonic testing of steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Furlan, J.; Soleille, G.; Chalaye, H.

1983-01-01

The ''in situ'' inspection of steam generator tubes uses generally Foucault currents before starting and along its life. This inspection aims at searching cracks and corrosion defects. The Foucault current method is quite badly adapted to ''closed crack'' detection, for it doesn't introduce neither resistivity or magnetic permeability variation, or lack of matter. More, it is sensible to the magnetic properties of the tube itself and to its environment (tubular or support plates). It is why, this first systematic inspection has to be completed by an ultrasonic one allowing to bring new elements in the uncertain cases. A device with an internal probe has been developed. It ''lights'' the tube wall with the aid of a transducer of which beam reflects on a mirror. Operating conditions are the same as for Foucault current testing, that is to say the probe moves inside the tube without rotation of the device (bent parts are excluded) [fr

PWSCC in the tube expansion zone - an overview

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hernalsteen, P.

1993-01-01

Most of the PWR Steam Generators (SG) with tubes in Inconel 600 alloy are affected by Primary Water Stress Corrosion Cracking (PWSCC) in the Expansion Zone (mainly the Roll Transition) of tubes mechanically expanded in the tube sheet. After a description of the defect mechanism and characterization methods, the paper reviews the various measures that can be used to prevent the problem. In-Service Inspection results are presented to illustrate the actual field experience; prediction tools are available to forecast the further SG degradation. Degraded tubes are eventually removed from service; this plugging policy undergoes presently a major evolution towards a mechanism specific approach, taking into account both structural and leakage requirements. The paper reviews various repair techniques that can be used as an alternate to plugging. Ultimately repair has to be weighed against SG replacement with a comprehensive problem management approach. (orig.)

Experimental results of the consequences of sodium water reactions at the bottom tube plate region of straight tube steam generators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ruloff, G.

1990-01-01

Experience with sodium water reactions has shown, that the course of such a steam generator accident depends strongly on its place in the steam generator. For the EFR steam generators we have to differentiate between: weld region at the upper tube plate (gas space); bundle region; weld region at the bottom tube plate. This paper describes results of a running tests program simulating the bottom tube plate area. One main part of these tests is the investigation of the influence of wastage protection shrouds between the tubes in the weld region to avoid a fast leak propagation and to give time for leak detection and mastering of the accidents. (author). 10 figs, 2 tabs

Stress corrosion cracking of steam generator tubing materials in lead containing solution

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, H.P.; Hwang, S.S.; Kim, J.S.; Hong, J.H.

2007-01-01

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in lead (Pb) containing environments has been one of key issues in the nuclear power industry since Pb had been identified as a cause of the SCC of steam generator (SG) tubing materials in some power plants. To mitigate or prevent degradation of SG tubing materials, a mechanistic understanding of SCC in Pb containing environment is needed, along with an understanding of the source and transport behaviors of Pb species in the secondary circuit. In this work, SCC behaviors of Alloy 600 in Pb containing environments were studied. Influences of microstructures of Alloy 600 and the inhibitive additives were investigated using the C-ring and the slow strain rate tests in caustic solution and demineralized water at 315 o C. Microstructures of Alloy 600 were varied by heat treatment at different temperatures. The additives examined were nickel boride (NiB) and cerium boride (CeB 6 ). The surface films were analyzed using Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). The SCC mode varied with microstructure. Effectiveness of the additives in Pb containing environments is discussed. (author)

Fatigue cracking on a steam generator tube

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Boccanfuso, M.; Lothios, J.; Thebault, Y.; Bruyere, B.; Duisabeau, L.; Herms, E.

2015-01-01

A circumferential fatigue crack was observed on a steam generator tube of the unit 2 of the Fessenheim plant. The results of destructive testing and the examination of the fracture surface show that the circumferential crack is linked to a large number of cycles with a very low stress intensity factor. Other aggravating factors like inter-granular corrosion have played a role in the initiating phase of fatigue cracking. The damage has been exacerbated by the lack of support of the tube at the level of the anti-vibration bars. (A.C.)

Pulse tube coolers for Meteosat third generation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Butterworth, James; Aigouy, Gérald; Chassaing, Clement; Debray, Benoît; Huguet, Alexandre

2014-01-01

Air Liquide's Large Pulse Tube Coolers (LPTC) will be used to cool the focal planes of the Infrared Sounder (IRS) and Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) instruments aboard the ESA/Eumetsat satellites Meteosat Third Generation (MTG). This cooler consists of an opposed piston linear compressor driving a pulse tube cold head and the associated drive electronics including temperature regulation and vibration cancellation algorithms. Preparations for flight qualification of the cooler are now underway. In this paper we present results of the optimization and qualification activities as well as an update on endurance testing

Anatomy education for the YouTube generation.

Science.gov (United States)

Barry, Denis S; Marzouk, Fadi; Chulak-Oglu, Kyrylo; Bennett, Deirdre; Tierney, Paul; O'Keeffe, Gerard W

2016-01-01

Anatomy remains a cornerstone of medical education despite challenges that have seen a significant reduction in contact hours over recent decades; however, the rise of the "YouTube Generation" or "Generation Connected" (Gen C), offers new possibilities for anatomy education. Gen C, which consists of 80% Millennials, actively interact with social media and integrate it into their education experience. Most are willing to merge their online presence with their degree programs by engaging with course materials and sharing their knowledge freely using these platforms. This integration of social media into undergraduate learning, and the attitudes and mindset of Gen C, who routinely creates and publishes blogs, podcasts, and videos online, has changed traditional learning approaches and the student/teacher relationship. To gauge this, second year undergraduate medical and radiation therapy students (n = 73) were surveyed regarding their use of online social media in relation to anatomy learning. The vast majority of students had employed web-based platforms to source information with 78% using YouTube as their primary source of anatomy-related video clips. These findings suggest that the academic anatomy community may find value in the integration of social media into blended learning approaches in anatomy programs. This will ensure continued connection with the YouTube generation of students while also allowing for academic and ethical oversight regarding the use of online video clips whose provenance may not otherwise be known. © 2015 American Association of Anatomists.

Turbulence induced Fretting-wear characteristics of steam generator helical tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jhung, Myung Jo; Jo, Jong Chull; Kim, Hho Jung; Yune, Young Gill; Yu, Seon Oh

2005-01-01

This study addresses safety assessment of the potential for fretting-wear damages on steam generator helical tubes due to turbulence-induced vibration in operating nuclear power plants. To get the natural frequency, corresponding mode shape and participation factor, modal analyses are performed for helical type tubes with various conditions. Special emphases are put on the effects of coil diameter and the number of turns on the modal and fretting wear characteristics of tubes. Also, investigated are the effects of external pressure on the tube modal characteristics as well as the effects of turbulence induced vibration on the fretting-wear characteristics of tubes

Eddy current inspection of steam generator tubing plugs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cullen, W.K.

1990-01-01

In response to the issues raised regarding the integrity of nuclear steam generator tubing plugs manufactured from certain heats of Inconel 600, Westinghouse engineers have developed, qualified and implemented an eddy current inspection system for the in-place assessment of these plugs. The heart of the system is a robotic and effector which delivers an eddy current sensor through the reduced diameter of the plug expander and actuates the coil to physical contact with the expanded inside bore of the plug. Once deployed, the eddy current sensor is rotated along a helical path to produce a detailed scan of the plug surface above the final position of the expander. This testing produces an isometric display of degradation due to primary water stress corrosion cracking, on the inside surface of the plug. To date, successful inspections have been conducted at two nuclear units with two different robotic delivery systems. While designed specifically for mechanical plugs with a bottle bore cavity, the inspection system can also be used for expanded straight bore plugs. Details of the inspection system along with a discussion of qualification activities and actual field results are presented in this paper

Dynamic characteristics of steam generator U-tubes with defect

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jo, Jong Chull; Jhung, Myung Jo; Kim, Woong Sik; Kim, Hho Jung

2005-01-01

This study investigates the fluid elastic instability characteristics of steam generator (SG) U-tubes with defect and the safety assessment of the potential for fretting-wear damages caused by foreign object in operating nuclear power plants. To get the natural frequency, corresponding mode shape and participation factor, modal analyses are performed for the U-tubes either with axial or circumferential flaw with different sizes. Special emphases are on the effects of flaw orientation and size on the modal and instability characteristics of tubes, which are expressed in terms of the natural frequency, corresponding mode shape and stability ratio. Also, the wear rate of U-tube caused by foreign object is calculated using the Archard formula and the remaining life of the tube is predicted, and discussed in this study is the effect of the flow velocity and vibration of the tube on the remaining life of the tube. In addition, addressed in this study is the effect of the internal pressure on the vibration and fretting-wear characteristics of the tube

Multifrequency eddy current testing of helical tubes of steam generators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pigeon, M.; David, B.

1983-06-01

In the event of a water-sodium reaction in a steam-generator of a fast breeder reactor, it is necessary to test the tubes close to the leak to evaluate the damage. In SUPERPHENIX, the tubes are about 100m long and are coiled on a dead body. This report describes the equipment and the technic to test such tubes with multifrequency eddy current technics [fr

Flow-induced decentering and tube support interaction for steam generator tubes: experiment and physical interpretation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gay, N.; Granger, S.

1992-11-01

Maintaining PWR components under reliable operating conditions requires a complex design to prevent various damaging processes including flow-induced vibration and wear mechanisms. To improve the prediction of tube/support interaction and wear in PWR components, EDF has undertaken a comprehensive program oriented to both experimental and computational studies. The present paper illustrates one aspect of this program, related to the determination of contact forces between steam generator tubes and anti-vibration bars (AVBs). The dynamic, nonlinear behavior of a U-tube excited by an air cross-flow is investigated on the CLAVECIN experiment. Interesting and rather unexpected results have been obtained, by varying clearances and flow velocities. The paper is focused on four main points: (i) the originality of the experiment with a force measurement device located in flow; (ii) the importance of a refined data processing for accurately measuring contact forces; (iii) the presentation of the unexpected phenomena revealed in the CLAVECIN experiment, i.e. a flow-induced decentering of the tube which changed the initial tube/AVB clearance, and the consequences on tube/support interaction; (iv) the influence of the actual tube/support clearance in flow on wear mechanisms. The work, presented in the second part of this paper, concentrates exclusively on the physical interpretation of the flow-induced decentering phenomenon and on the theoretical analysis of its consequences on dynamic tube/support interaction. We show that the flow-induced decentering phenomenon can be generated by an unstable quasi-static coupling between the flexible tube and the confined flow, in the vicinity of the support system. This phenomenon is not specific to the CLAVECIN tests and it can be expected every time that a movable obstacle is subjected to confined flow. Moreover, in single-sided impacting conditions, the theoretical analysis confirms the linear relation, found in the CLAVECIN tests

A State of the Art Report on Wear Damage of Steam Generator Tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lim, Yun Soo; Kim, Joung Soo; Kim, Hong Pyo; Hwang, Seong Sik; Jung, Man Kyo

2004-10-01

The recent status on wear damage of steam generator tubes caused by flow-induced vibration was investigated, and the criteria for structural integrity evaluation of the wear-damaged tubes were reviewed. It was surveyed how the wear damage of tubes could be affected by main parameters, such as, materials properties and their combination, impact load and vibration amplitude/frequency, contact areas and diametral clearance between the tube and tube support plate, wear test duration, and test temperature. Finally, corrosive wear, which means the combined action of corrosion and wear simultaneously, was also surveyed in this report. There has been only a few works concerned on the wear damage of steam generator tubes in Korea, compared with the leading foreign research institutes. Especially, the experience related to the wear characteristics of Alloy 690, which has become a replacement material for Alloy 600 as steam generator tubes, is far from satisfactory. Systematic studies, therefore, concerned with structural integrity of tubes as well as improvement of were resistance of Alloy 690 in the PWR environment are needed

Calculation of reverse flow in inverted U-Tubes of steam generator during natural circulation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yang Ruichang; Liu Jinggong; Liu Ruolei; Qin Shiwei; Huang Yanping

2010-01-01

The mechanism of reverse flow in inverted U-tubes of steam generators of pressurized water reactors during natural circulation is analyzed by using the full range characteristic curve of parallel U-tubes. A lumped-distributed model to calculate the reverse flow occurred in inverted U-tubes of real steam generators with a large number of U-tubes during natural circulation is developed. The model has the advantages of quick calculation and high accuracy for the analysis of reverse flow in inverted U-tubes of real steam generators with natural circulation. This model has been used to calculate the normal and reverse flows occurred in inverted U-tubes of a steam generator with natural circulation. The comparison of calculated results indicates a well agreement with that predicted by the model in which normal or reverse flow in each individual U-tube is analyzed, which verifies the reliability of the model developed in this paper. (authors)

Indian Point 2 steam generator tube rupture analyses

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dayan, A.

1985-01-01

Analyses were conducted with RETRAN-02 to study consequences of steam generator tube rupture (SGTR) events. The Indian Point, Unit 2, power plant (IP2, PWR) was modeled as a two asymmetric loops, consisting of 27 volumes and 37 junctions. The break section was modeled once, conservatively, as a 150% flow area opening at the wall of the steam generator cold leg plenum, and once as a 200% double-ended tube break. Results revealed 60% overprediction of breakflow rates by the traditional conservative model. Two SGTR transients were studied, one with low-pressure reactor trip and one with an earlier reactor trip via over temperature ΔT. The former is more typical to a plant with low reactor average temperature such as IP2. Transient analyses for a single tube break event over 500 seconds indicated continued primary subcooling and no need for steam line pressure relief. In addition, SGTR transients with reactor trip while the pressurizer still contains water were found to favorably reduce depressurization rates. Comparison of the conservative results with independent LOFTRAN predictions showed good agreement

Stress analysis and fatigue life prediction for a U-bend steam generator tube

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cheng Weili; Finnie, I.

1996-01-01

An analysis is carried out to determine the stresses in a steam generator tube that failed by fatigue. Using data available for the failed tube and for failures in two similar steam generators, the magnitudes of the alternating and mean stresses produced during operation are estimated. The cause for the early fatigue failure is shown to be the high mean stress caused by denting of the tube in the location where it passed through the tube sheet. (orig.)

Process of corrosion protection for a steam generator tube and device to apply it

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Malagola, P.; Vassal, J.M.

1985-01-01

The steam generator tube is fixed by crimping in a tube plate; a metallic layer compatible with the tube material is electrodeposited on the inner side of the tube after its mounting in the tube plate, on both side of the plate face in contact with the water to be steamed, along a length approximately longer than the transition zone between the crimped part of the tube and the part which is not crimped. The external side of the tube can be also covered by a metallic layer before its mounting through the tube plate. The metallic layer can be nickel. The invention applies, more particularly, to PWR steam generators [fr

Analysis of reverse flow in inverted U-tubes of steam generator under natural circulation condition

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yang Ruichang; Liu Ruolei; Liu Jinggong; Qin Shiwei

2008-01-01

In this paper, we report on the analysis of reverse flow in inverted U-tubes of a steam generator under natural circulation condition. The mechanism of reverse flow in inverted U-tubes of the steam generator with natural circulation is graphically analyzed by using the full-range characteristic curve of parallel U-tubes. The mathematical model and numerical calculation method for analyzing the reverse flow in inverted U-tubes of the steam generator with natural circulation have been developed. The reverse flow in an inverted U-tube steam generator of a simulated pressurized water reactor with natural circulation in analyzed. Through the calculation, the mass flow rates of normal and reverse flows in individual U-tubes are obtained. The predicted sharp drop of the fluid temperature in the inlet plenum of the steam generator due to reverse flow agrees very well with the experimental data. This indicates that the developed mathematical model and solution method can be used to correctly predict the reverse flow in the inverted U-tubes of the steam generator with natural circulation. The obtained results also show that in the analysis of natural circulation flow in the primary circuit, the reverse flow in the inverted U-tubes of the steam generator must be taken into account. (author)

Depth-Sizing Technique for Crack Indications in Steam Generator Tubing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cho, Chan Hee; Lee, Hee Jeong; Kim, Hong Deok

2009-01-01

The nuclear power plants have been safely operated by plugging the steam generator tubes which have the crack indications. Tube rupture events can occur if analysts fail to detect crack indications during in-service inspection. There are various types of crack indication in steam generator tubes and they have been detected by the eddy current test. The integrity assessment should be performed using the crack-sizing results from eddy current data when the crack indication is detected. However, it is not easy to evaluate the crack-depth precisely and consistently due to the complexity of the methods. The current crack-sizing methods were reviewed in this paper and the suitable ones were selected through the laboratory tests. The retired steam generators of Kori Unit 1 were used for this study. The round robin tests by the domestic qualified analysts were carried out and the statistical models were introduced to establish the appropriate depth-sizing techniques. It is expected that the proposed techniques in this study can be utilized in the Steam Generator Management Program

Ultrasonic imaging of tube/support structure of power plant steam generators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Saniie, J.; Nagle, D.T.

1987-01-01

The corrosion and erosion of steam generator tubing in nuclear power plants can present problems of both safety and economics. In steam generators, the inconel tubes are fit loosely through holes drilled in carbon steel support plates. Corrosion is of particular concern with such tube/support plate structures. Non-protective magnetite can build up on the inner surface of the support plate holes, and allowed to continue unchecked, will fill the gap, eventually denting and fracturing the tube walls. Therefore, periodic nondestructive inspection can be valuable in characterizing corrosion and can be used in evaluating the effectiveness of chemical treatments used to control or reduce corrosion. Presently, they are investigating the feasibility and practicality of using ultrasound in routing testing for gap measurement, for evaluating the corrosion and assessing the degree of denting. The tube/support structure can be modeled as a multilayer, reverberant target, which when tested with ultrasound results in two sets of reverberating echoes [1]. One set corresponds to the tube wall and the other to the support plate. These echoes must be decomposed and identified in order to evaluate the tube/support structure. This report presents experimental results along with a discussion of various measurements and processing techniques for decomposing and interpreting tube/support echoes at different stages of corrosion

Analysis of the State of Steam Generator Tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bergunker, Olga

2008-01-01

The problem of safe operation of SG heat exchanging tubes, of both economical and effective control of their state is still important these days. Issues connected with peculiarities of methods of SG tubes inspection, automated analysis of the inspection results, tubes state analysis and development of algorithms of forecasting their state are considered in this report. The need for effective use of extensive data arrays on SG operation has led to the necessity of creating software tools for collection, storage and analysis of these data. The data-analytical system 'NPP Steam Generators' meant for data systematization and visualization as well as various types of analyses of data on eddy current inspection of WWER-440 and WWER-1000 SG tubes is presented in this report. The main possibilities of the data-analytical system (DAS), the code current state and prospects of its development are shown. The main fields of DAS application are considered and some results of its practical use are mentioned, namely, in the field of forecasting SG tubes state. (authors)

Failure analysis of steam generator tubes with dented and wastage configurations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Reich, M.; Prachuktam, S.; Gardner, D.; Goradia, H.; Bezler, P.; Kao, K.

1978-03-01

The occurrence of PWR steam generator tube cracking, denting, and wastage has been reported in the recent literature. As indicated by its title, this paper concerns itself with the inelastic structural response of the tubes that result from various assumed monotonic as well as cyclic loading conditions, which ultimately could lead to the tube failure

Development of safety evaluation technique of steam generator tubes for the next generation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kwon, Hyuk Sang; Kim, I. S.; Ann, Se Jin; Lee, S. J.; Seo, M. S.; Lee, Y. H.; Kim, J. H.; Hong, J. G. [Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Taejon (Korea, Republic of)

2000-02-15

Subject 1 - a technique for predicting the SCC susceptibility of steam generator tube material based on the repassivation kinetics was developed and the effects of Pb in the repassivation rate and SCC susceptibility rate of tube material was investigated with this technique. An alloy with a higher slope value of log i(t) vs. q(t) plot based on the current transient curve obtained by scratch test and a lower slope value log i(t) vs. l/q(t) plot (cBV) is repassivated faster with a more protective passive film and it can be predicted that it will show higher resistance to SCC. With PbO addition in all solution studied (pH 4, pH 10, Cl- containing pH 4), alloy 690TT showed decreased repassivation rate. So it can be predict that PbO addition lower the resistance of SCC of steam generator tune material. Subject 2 - SG wear testing of tube and support materials has been conducted at various load and sliding amplitude in air environment. The results showed effect of normal load and sliding amplitude on SG tube wear damage. It was also shown that, for predominantly sliding motion, the SG wear coefficient of work-rate model is lower for Inconel 690TT compared with inconel 600MA. SG tube wear data show that, for work-rates ranging from 4 to 25mW, average tube wear coefficient of 43.76{approx}54.05 X 10{sup 15} Pa{sup -1} for Inconel 600MA and 26.88{approx}33.94 X 10{sup -15} Pa{sup 1} for Inconel 690TT against 405 and 409 stainless steels.

Can we simulate the development of ODSCC defects in steam generator tubes?

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cizelj, L.; Kovac, M.; Dvorsek, T.

1999-01-01

The qualitative and quantitative aspects of degradation mechanism causing early retirement of SG tubing are not yet explained to the level allowing for accurate predictions of future behavior. On the other hand, a large amount of data related to tube degradation, inspection, repair, and plant operation have been collected during recent years. It allows for reasonably accurate quantitative predictions, based on statistical analysis of past events and assumption of reasonably constant operating conditions. A computational algorithm was developed to simulate life cycle of ODSCC defects: initiation, growth, measurement, and repair. The main feature of the algorithm is the possibility to address some important changes in the operating parameters, especially those related to the conditions during the plant shutdown. The algorithm can be used to get better insight into the background of SG aging and to predict the future populations of defects, as shown in a realistic numerical example.(author)

Method to detect steam generator tube leakage

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Watabe, Kiyomi

1994-01-01

It is important for plant operation to detect minor leakages from the steam generator tube at an early stage, thus, leakage detection has been performed using a condenser air ejector gas monitor and a steam generator blow down monitor, etc. In this study highly-sensitive main steam line monitors have been developed in order to identify leakages in the steam generator more quickly and accurately. The performance of the monitors was verified and the demonstration test at the actual plant was conducted for their intended application to the plants. (author)

IAEA activities on steam generator life management

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gueorguiev, B.; Lyssakov, V.; Trampus, P.

2002-01-01

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) carries out a set of activities in the field of Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) life management. Main activities within this area are implemented through the Technical Working Group on Life Management of NPPs, and mostly concentrated on studies of understanding mechanisms of degradation and their monitoring, optimisation of maintenance management, economic aspects, proven practices of and approaches to plant life management including decommissioning. The paper covers two ongoing activities related to steam generator life management: the International Database on NPP Steam Generators and the Co-ordinated Research Project on Verification of WWER Steam Generator Tube Integrity (WWER is the Russian designed PWR). The lifetime assessment of main components relies on an ability to assess their condition and predict future degradation trends, which to a large extent is dependent on the availability of relevant data. Effective management of ageing and degradation processes requires a large amount of data. Several years ago the IAEA started to work on the International Database on NPP Life Management. This is a multi-module database consisting of modules such as reactor pressure vessels materials, piping, steam generators, and concrete structures. At present the work on pressure vessel materials, on piping as well as on steam generator is completed. The paper will present the concept and structure of the steam generator module of the database. In countries operating WWER NPPs, there are big differences in the eddy current inspection strategy and practice as well as in the approach to steam generator heat exchanger tube structural integrity assessment. Responding to the need for a co-ordinated research to compare eddy current testing results with destructive testing using pulled out tubes from WWER steam generators, the IAEA launched this project. The main objectives of the project are to summarise the operating experiences of WWER

Fluidelastic instability analysis of steam generator U-tubes at antivibration bar-inactive modes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lee, S.K.; Jo, J.C.

1995-01-01

This paper presents the results of thermal-hydraulic and fluidelastic U-tube instability analyses performed for the vertical type pressurized water reactor (PWR) steam generator model being employed at Kori units 2, 3 and 4, and Yonggwang units 1 and 2 in Korea. The thermal-hydraulic analysis for providing the detailed three-dimensional two-phase flow field in the secondary side of the steam generator was accomplished using the ATHOS3 steam generator thermal-hydraulic analysis code. The UTVA2 code designed for calculating both the free vibration responses and fluidelastic stability ratio of a specific U-tube under consideration was used to assess the potential for fluidelastic instability of the steam generator U-tubes at various conditions of antivibration bar (AVB)-inactive modes. The results of the fluidelastic instability analysis were discussed in comparison with those obtained for the steam generator U-tubes at AVB-active mode

Stress analysis of HTR-10 steam generator heat exchanging tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dong Jianling; Zhang Xiaohang; Yin Dejian; Fu Jiyang

2001-01-01

Steam Generator (SG) heat exchanging tubes of 10 MW High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor (HTR-10) are protective screens between the primary loop of helium with radioactivity and the secondary loop of feeding water and steam without radioactivity. Water and steam will enter into the primary loop when rupture of the heat exchanging tubes occurs, which lead to increase of the primary loop pressure and discharge of radioactive materials. Therefore it is important to guarantee the integrity of the tubes. The tube structure is spiral tube with small bending radius, which make it impossible to test with volumetric in-service detection. For such kind of spiral tube, using LBB concept to guarantee the integrity of the tubes is an important option. The author conducts stress analysis and calculation of HTR-10 SG heat exchanging tubes using the FEM code of piping stress analysis, PIPESTRESS. The maximum stress and the dangerous positions are obtained

Flow induced pulsations generated in corrugated tubes

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Belfroid, S.P.C.; Swindell, R.; Tummers, R.

2008-01-01

Corrugated tubes can produce a tonal noise when used for gas transport, for instance in the case of flexible risers. The whistling sound is generated by shear layer instability due to the boundary layer separation at each corrugation. This whistling is examined by investigating the frequency,

Steady-state heat transfer in an inverted U-tube steam generator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Boucher, T.J.

1987-01-01

Experimental results are presented involving U-tube steam generator tube bundle local heat transfer and fluid conditions during stead-state, full-power operations performed at high temperatures and pressures with conditions typical of a pressurized water reactor (15.0 MPa primary pressure, 600 K steam generator inlet plenum fluid temperatures, 6.2 MPa secondary pressure). The Semiscale (MOD-2C facility represents the state-of-the-art in measurement of tube local heat transfer data and average tube bundle secondary fluid density at several elevations, which allows an estimate of the axial heat transfer and void distributions during steady-state and transient operations. The method of heat transfer data reduction is presented and the heat flux, secondary convective heat transfer coefficient, and void fraction distributions are quantified for steady-state, full-power operations

Repair technology for steam generator tubes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kim, Seung Ho; Jung, Hyun Kyu; Jung, Seung Ho; Kim, Chang Hoi; Jung, Young Moo; Seo, Yong Chil; Kim, Jung Su; Seo, Moo Hong

2001-02-01

The most commonly used sleeving materials are thermally treated Alloy 600 and thermally treated Alloy 690 Alloy. Currently, thermally treated Alloy 690 and Alloy 800 are being offered although Alloy 800 has not been licensed in the US. To install sleeve, joint strength, leak tightness, PWSCC resistance, evaluation on process parameter range and the effect of equipments and procedures on repair plan and radiation damage have to be investigated before sleeving. ABB CE provides three type of leak tight Alloy 690 TIG welded and PLUSS sleeve. Currently, Direct Tube Repair technique using Nd:YAG laser has been developed by ABB CE and Westinghouse. FTI has brazed and kinetic sleeve designs for recirculating steam generator and hydraulic and rolled sleeve designs for one-through steam generators. Westinghouse provides HEJ, brazed and laser welded sleeve design. When sleeve is installed in order to repair the damaged S/G tubes, it is certain that defects can be occurred due to the plastic induced stress and thermal stress. Therefore it is important to minimize the residual stress. FTI provides the electrosleeve technique as a future repair candidate using electroplating.

Repair technology for steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Seung Ho; Jung, Hyun Kyu; Jung, Seung Ho; Kim, Chang Hoi; Jung, Young Moo; Seo, Yong Chil; Kim, Jung Su; Seo, Moo Hong

2001-02-01

The most commonly used sleeving materials are thermally treated Alloy 600 and thermally treated Alloy 690 Alloy. Currently, thermally treated Alloy 690 and Alloy 800 are being offered although Alloy 800 has not been licensed in the US. To install sleeve, joint strength, leak tightness, PWSCC resistance, evaluation on process parameter range and the effect of equipments and procedures on repair plan and radiation damage have to be investigated before sleeving. ABB CE provides three type of leak tight Alloy 690 TIG welded and PLUSS sleeve. Currently, Direct Tube Repair technique using Nd:YAG laser has been developed by ABB CE and Westinghouse. FTI has brazed and kinetic sleeve designs for recirculating steam generator and hydraulic and rolled sleeve designs for one-through steam generators. Westinghouse provides HEJ, brazed and laser welded sleeve design. When sleeve is installed in order to repair the damaged S/G tubes, it is certain that defects can be occurred due to the plastic induced stress and thermal stress. Therefore it is important to minimize the residual stress. FTI provides the electrosleeve technique as a future repair candidate using electroplating

An expert system for steam generator maintenance

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Remond, A.

1988-01-01

The tube bundles in PWR steam generators are, by far, the major source of problems whether they are due to primary and secondary side corrosion mechanisms or to tube vibration-induced wear at tube support locations. Because of differences in SG operating, materials, and fabrication processes, the damage may differ from steam generator to steam generator. MPGV, an expert system for steam generator maintenance uses all steam generator data containing data on materials, fabrication processes, inservice inspection, and water chemistry. It has access to operational data for individual steam generators and contains models of possible degradation mechanisms. The objectives of the system are: · Diagnosing the most probable degradation mechanism or mechanisms by reviewing the entire steam generator history. · Identifying the tubes most exposed to future damage and evaluating the urgency of repair by simulating the probable development of the problem in time. · Establishing the appropriate preventive actions such as repair, inspection or other measures and establishing an action schedule. The system is intended for utilities either for individual plants before each inspection outage or any time an incident occurs or for a set of plants through a central MPGV center. (author)

Duplex-tube sodium-indication steam generator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Matal, O.; Martoch, J.

1984-01-01

The steam generator with duplex tubes and sodium indication is connected to the main sodium input and output via the inlet and outlet chambers and has indication spaces connected to the interspaces of the duplex tubes. The first indication space is linked with the auxiliary inlet pipe to the inlet chamber and the second indication space is connected with the auxiliary pipe to the outlet chamber. Mounted to the auxiliary inlet pipe is at least one closure, i.e., a valve or electromagnetic stop. Mounted on the auxiliary outlet pipe is an indication sensor, e.g., a sodium flow sensor. At least one indication space is provided with an alarm sensor, e.g., a thermocouple, a pressure gauge and one sensor to monitor the hydrogen content of sodium. (J.P.)

Detection of steam generator tube leaks in pressurized water reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Roach, W.H.

1985-01-01

This report addresses the early detection of small steam generator tube leaks in pressurized water reactors. It discusses the third, and final, year's work on an NRC-funded project examining diagnostic instrumentation in water reactors. The first two years were broad in coverage, concentrating on anticipatory measurements for detection of potential problems in both pressurized- and boiling-water reactors, with recommendations for areas of further study. One of these areas, the early detection of small steam tube leaks in PWRs, formed the basis of study for the last year of the project. Four tasks are addressed in this study of the detection of steam tube leaks. (1) Determination of which physical parameters indicate the onset of steam generator tube leaks. (2) Establishing performance goals for diagnostic instruments which could be used for early detection of steam generator tube leaks. (3) Defining the diagnostic instrumentation and their location which satisfy Items 1 and 2 above. (4) Assessing the need for diagnostic data processing and display. Parameters are identified, performance goals established, and sensor types and locations are specified in the report, with emphasis on the use of existing instrumentation with a minimum of retrofitting. A simple algorithm is developed which yields the leak rate as a function of known or measurable quantities. The conclusion is that leak rates of less than one-tenth gram per second should be detectable with existing instrumentation. (orig./HP)

Steam generators regulatory practices and issues in Spain

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mendoza, C.; Castelao, C.; Ruiz-Colino, J.; Figueras, J.M.

1997-01-01

This paper presents the actual status of Spanish Steam Generator tubes, actions developed by PWR plant owners and submitted to CSN, and regulatory activities related to tube degradation mechanisms analysis; NDT tube inspection techniques; tube, tubesheet and TSPs integrity studies; tube plugging/repair criteria; preventive and corrective measures including whole SGs replacement; tube leak measurement methods and other operational aspects

Wear behavior of steam generator tubes in nuclear power plant operating condition

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, In-Sup; Hong, Jin-Ki; Kim, Hyung-Nam; Jang, Ki-Sang

2003-01-01

Reciprocating sliding wear tests were performed on steam generator tubes materials at steam generator operating temperature. The material surfaces react with oxygen to form oxides. The oxide properties such as formation rate and mechanical properties are varied with the test temperature and alloy composition. So, it is important to investigate the wear properties of each steam generator tube materials in steam generator operating condition. The tests results indicated that the wear coefficient in work rate model of alloy 690 was faster than that of alloy 800. From the scanning electron microscopy observation, the wear scars were similar each other and worn surfaces were covered with oxide layers. It seemed that the oxide layers were formed by wear debris sintering or cold welding and these layer properties affected the wear rate of steam generator tube materials. (author)

Gas generation from transuranic waste degradation: an interim assessment

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Molecke, M.A.

1979-10-01

A review of all available, applicable data pertaining to gas generation from the degradation of transuranic waste matrix material and packaging is presented. Waste forms are representative of existing defense-related TRU wastes and include cellulosics, plastics, rubbers, concrete, process sludges, and mild steel. Degradation mechanisms studied were radiolysis, thermal, bacterial, and chemical corrosion. Gas generation rates are presented in terms of moles of gas produced per year per drum, and in G(gas) values for radiolytic degradation. Comparison of generation rates is made, as is a discussion of potential short- and long-term concerns. Techniques for reducing gas generation rates are discussed. 6 figures, 10 tables

Analysis of prestressed double-wall tubing for LMFBR steam generators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Uber, C.F.; Langford, P.J.

1981-01-01

A radial interface pressure is provided between the inner and outer tubes of each double-wall tube in a steam generator design now being developed for commercial breeder reactor plants. This paper describes a finite element analysis of the manufacturing technique used to prestress the double-wall tube. The analytical predictions are compared with experimental measurements of the residual interface pressure. Resulting residual stress states are used as the starting point for operating condition analyses. 9 refs

Influence of steam generator tube ruptures during semiscale loss-of-coolant experiments

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cozzuol, J.M.; Larson, T.K.

1978-01-01

Examination of the U-tubes in the steam generators of some large commercial pressurized water reactors (PWR) has revealed the existence of leakage and in some cases structural weakening of the tubes. This structural weakening enhances the possibility of tubes rupturing during a hypothesized loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA). Considerable interest has been shown in the analysis of tube ruptures concurrent with a hypothesized LOCA since the presence of tube ruptures has the potential to influence the system thermal-hydraulic response and could foreseeably result in a more severe core thermal behavior than might otherwise occur. To experimentally investigate the influence of steam generator tube ruptures on the thermal-hydraulic response of PWR type system, a series of experiments was conducted in the Semiscale Mod-1 system by EG and G Idaho, Inc., for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Department of Energy. The primary objective of the experiments was to obtain data which could be used to evaluate the influence of the simulated tube ruptures on the system and core thermal-hydraulic response for a range of tube ruptures that was expected to provide the potential for high cladding temperatures in the Semiscale facility. The experiments were conducted assuming a variety in the number of tubes ruptured during large break loss-of-coolant conditions. The number of experiments conducted permitted determination of the range of tube ruptures for which high peak cladding temperatures could result in the Semiscale Mod-1 system. The paper contains a description of the Semiscale Mod-1 system and a discussion of the steam generator tube rupture tests conducted. The experimental results from the test series and the thermal-hydraulic phenomena found to influence the core thermal response during the experiments are discussed

Use of virtual steam generator cassette for tube spatial design and SGC assembling procedure

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Y. W.; Kim, J. I.; Ji, S. K.

2003-01-01

A method of determining spatial arrangement of tube connection and assembling procedure of once-through helical steam generator cassette utilizing three dimensional virtual steam generator cassette has been developed on the basis of recent 3-D modelling technology. One ends of the steam generator tubes are connected to the module feed water header and the other sides are connected to the module steam header. Due to the complex geometry of tube arrangement, it is very difficult to connect the tubes to the module headers without the help of a physical engineering mock up. A comparative study has been performed at each design step for the tube arrangement and heat transfer area. Heat transfer area computed from thermal sizing was 4% less than that of measured. Heat transfer area calculated from the virtual steam generator cassette mock up has only 0.2% difference with that of measured. Assembling procedure of the steam generator cassette also, can be developed in the design stage

Eddy current testing of steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Neumaier, P.

1981-01-01

A rotating probe is described for improving the inspection of tubes and end plate in steam generators. The method allows a representation of the whole defect, consequently the observer is able to determine directly the type of defect, signal processing in-line or off-line is possible [fr

Analysis methods for evaluating leak-before-break in U-tube steam generators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Griesbach, T.; Cipolla, R.

1985-01-01

In recent years, there has been an increased incidence of cracking in steam generator tubes. As a result, there has been increased effort in assuring that cracks in steam generator tubes will leak well in advance of significant loss in structural integrity. Demonstrating a leak-before-break condition is an integrated analysis process that utilizes several engineering disciplines, specifically, materials engineering, fracture mechanics, stress analysis, and fluid mechanics. The output from a leak-before-break assessment is typically depicted in terms of available margins against failure and measurable or detectable leak rate. In this paper, the analysis methods for performing a leak-before-break analysis for the U-tubes of a recirculating steam generator are presented. The results from generic analysis for the first row U-tubes illustrates the analysis techniques. Because of realistic input values used herein, these results also suggest that large leak rates are possible from cracks in U-bend regions, yet these cracks are small relative to their critical size for failure. Hence, orderly shutdowns can be completed prior to the point when tube bursting is of concern

Evaluation of EDTA based chemical formulations for the cleaning of monel-400 tubed steam generators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Velmurugan, S.; Rufus, A.L.; Sathyaseelan, V.S.; Kumar, P.S.; Veena, S.N.; Srinivasan, M.P.; Narasimhan, S.V.

1998-01-01

The Steam Generator (SG) is an important component in any nuclear power plant which contributes significantly for the over all performance of the reactor. The failure of SG tubes occurs mainly by corrosion under accelerated conditions caused by fouling. There is continuous ingress of the corrosion products and ionic impurities from the condenser and feed train of the secondary heat transfer system. The corrosion products accumulate in the stagnant areas near the tube sheet, over the tube support plates and in the tube to tube support plate crevices. These accumulated deposits help to concentrate the aggressive impurities and induce a variety of corrosion processes affecting the structural materials and finally leading to failure of the SG tube. Scale forming impurities can deposit over the tube surfaces and result in reduction of heat transfer efficiency and over heating of the surfaces. Every effort is being made to control the transport of impurities to the steam generator. Increased blow down, installation of condensate polishers and use of all volatile amines have helped to reduce the corrosion product and ionic impurities input into the steam generators of PHWRs. Despite these efforts, failures of SG tubes in PHWRs have been reported. Hence, attempts are being made to develop chemical formulations to clean the deposits accumulated in the steam generators. The EPRI-SGOG chemical cleaning process has been tried with good success in steam generators of different designs including the steam generators of PHWRs. This paper discusses the work on the evaluation of EDTA based chemical cleaning formulations for monel-400 tubed steam generators of PHWRs. (author)

Viewing device of a steam generator tube-plate

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Denis, J.; Poirier, D.

1984-01-01

The invention proposes a device to observe the tubular plate of a steam generator including rows of parallel tubes situated in a shell provided with at least one entrance situated face to the interval between two adjacent rows. The device comprises a boom of which transversal dimension is less important than the interval; the boom can be inserted by the entrance; it contains a rigid endoscope terminated in an eyepiece and an optical fibre lighguide in the same vertical plane for illumination of the far end. The respective rotary angled mirrors are driven simultaneously by drums connected to a rack-and-pinion mechanism which is operated by a plunger held by a spring against a rocking lever driven by a motor and cam. As the mirrors rotate, the illuminated zone overlaps the field of view of the endoscope. The tube plate area in the shadow of the endoscope mirror (20) is illuminated separately by an ailiary fibre with a fixed terminal mirror. The invention enables the observation of the tube plate on both sides of the boom. It can be used in the case of the inspection of the steam generator of a pressurized water reactor [fr

Effect of heat transfer tube leak on dynamic characteristic of steam generator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sun Baozhi; Shi Jianxin; Li Na; Zheng Lusong; Liu Shanghua; Lei Yu

2015-01-01

Taking the steam generator of Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station as the research object, one-dimensional dynamic model of the steam generator based on drift flux theory and leak model of heat transfer tube were established. Steady simulation of steam generator under different conditions was carried out. Based on verifying the drift flux model and leak model of heat transfer tube, the effect of leak location and flow rate under different conditions on steam generator's key parameters was studied. The results show that the drift flux model and leak model can reflect the law of key parameter change accurately such as vapor mass fraction and steam pressure under different leak cases. The variation of the parameters is most apparent when the leak is at the entrance of boiling section and vapor mass fraction varies from 0.261 to 0.163 when leakage accounts for 5% of coolant flow rate. The successful prediction of the effect of heat transfer tube leak on dynamic characteristics of the steam generator based on drift flux theory supplies some references for monitoring and taking precautionary measures to prevent heat transfer tube leak accident. (authors)

Heat exchanging tube behaviour in steam generators of pressurized water reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pastor, D.; Oertel, K.

1979-01-01

Based on a comprehensive failure statistics, materials corrosion chemistry and thermohydraulics problems of the tubings of steam generators are considered. A historical review of failures in the tubings of steam generators in pressurized water reactors reflects the often successless measures by designers, manufacturers and operating organizations for preventing failures, especially with regard to materials selection and water regime. It is stated that laboratory tests could not give sufficient information about safe and stable operation of nuclear steam generators unless real constructive, hydrodynamic, thermodynamical and chemical conditions of operation had been taken into account. (author)

A calculating method of tube-to-tubesheet joints design for steam generator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhang Fuyuan

1993-01-01

A theoretical calculating method of the hydraulically expanded tube-to-tubesheet joints design is described. As a mathematical model, the total expanded process of the joints is divided in four stages. with the elastic and plastic theories, the stress, strain and displacement of the tube or tube and tubesheet are analysed by stages, then expansion pressure, deformation, residual stress and push-out force are evaluated. The method may be used to design the steam generators and steel tubular heat exchangers. The paper points out that the hydraulic-expansion plus local roller expansion (hybrid expansion) is better than the only hydraulic-expansion for the tube-to-tubesheet joints of the nuclear steam generators

Evaluation of nondestructive evaluation size measurement for integrity assessment of axial outside diameter stress corrosion cracking in steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Joo, Kyung Mun; Hong, Jun Hee

2015-01-01

Recently, the initiation of outside diameter stress corrosion cracking (ODSCC) at the tube support plate region of domestic steam generators (SG) with Alloy 600 HTMA tubes has been increasing. As a result, SGs with Alloy 600 HTMA tubes must be replaced early or are scheduled to be replaced prior to their designed lifetime. ODSCC is one of the biggest threats to the integrity of SG tubes. Therefore, the accurate evaluation of tube integrity to determine ODSCC is needed. Eddy current testing (ECT) is conducted periodically, and its results could be input as parameters for evaluating the integrity of SG tubes. The reliability of an ECT inspection system depends on the performance of the inspection technique and ability of the analyst. The detection probability and ECT sizing error of degradation are considered to be the performance indices of a nondestructive evaluation (NDE) system. This paper introduces an optimized evaluation method for ECT, as well as the sizing error, including the analyst performance. This study was based on the results of a round robin program in which 10 inspection analysts from 5 different companies participated. The analysis of ECT sizing results was performed using a linear regression model relating the true defect size data to the measured ECT size data.

Evaluation of nondestructive evaluation size measurement for integrity assessment of axial outside diameter stress corrosion cracking in steam generator tubes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Joo, Kyung Mun [Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Company Ltd., Central Research Institute, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of); Hong, Jun Hee [Dept. of mechanical Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)

2015-02-15

Recently, the initiation of outside diameter stress corrosion cracking (ODSCC) at the tube support plate region of domestic steam generators (SG) with Alloy 600 HTMA tubes has been increasing. As a result, SGs with Alloy 600 HTMA tubes must be replaced early or are scheduled to be replaced prior to their designed lifetime. ODSCC is one of the biggest threats to the integrity of SG tubes. Therefore, the accurate evaluation of tube integrity to determine ODSCC is needed. Eddy current testing (ECT) is conducted periodically, and its results could be input as parameters for evaluating the integrity of SG tubes. The reliability of an ECT inspection system depends on the performance of the inspection technique and ability of the analyst. The detection probability and ECT sizing error of degradation are considered to be the performance indices of a nondestructive evaluation (NDE) system. This paper introduces an optimized evaluation method for ECT, as well as the sizing error, including the analyst performance. This study was based on the results of a round robin program in which 10 inspection analysts from 5 different companies participated. The analysis of ECT sizing results was performed using a linear regression model relating the true defect size data to the measured ECT size data.

Means and method for controlling the neutron output of a neutron generator tube

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Langford, O.M.; Peelman, H.E.

1980-01-01

A gas filled neutron tube in a nuclear well logging tool has a target an ion source voltage and a replenisher connected to ground. A negative high voltage is applied to the target by a power supply also providing a target current corresponding to the neutron output of the neutron generator tube. A constant current source provides a constant current. A network receiving the target current and the constant current provides a portion of the constant current as a replenisher current which is applied to the replenisher in a neutron generating tube. The network controls the magnitude of the replenisher current in accordance with the target current so as to control the neutron output of the neutron generating tube. (auth)

Design Concept of Array ECT Sensor for Steam Generator Tubing Inspection

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cho, Chan Hee; Lee, Tae Hun; Yoo, Hyun Ju [Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. Ltd. CRI, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)

2015-05-15

The eddy current testing, which is one of the nondestructive examination methods, is widely used for the inspection of heat exchangers including steam generator tubing in the nuclear power plant. It uses electromagnetic induction to detect flaws in conductive materials. Two types of eddy current probes are conventionally used for the inspection of steam generator tubing according to the main purpose. One is the bobbin probe technology and the other is the rotating probe. During the inspection, they have restrictions for the flaw detection or the inspection speed. An array probe can be alternative to the bobbin and rotating probes. The design concept of array coils with high sensitivity is described in this paper. It is expected that the eddy current testing using this type of array sensors may provide high detectability and resolution for flaws in steam generator tubing. Eddy current technology has some barriers for the inspection of steam generator tubing in the nuclear power plant. Bobbin probes offer poor circumferential crack detection and rotating probes are time and money consuming due to the mechanical rotation. Array probe inspection technique can replace bobbin and rotating probe techniques due to its sensitivity for flaw detection and inspection speed. In general, circular-shaped coils are considered in an array eddy current probe.

Transduced for determining if steam generator tubes are locked in at support plate

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hayes, J.K.

1984-01-01

A nuclear steam generator is described which includes a vessel, means to introduce vaporizable fluid into the bottom portion of the vessel, an outlet near the top through which vapor is discharged, a horizontal tube sheet extending across the vessel, a plurality of U-shaped tubes, having each end secured to and extending through the tube sheet, means for introducing heating fluid to one end of each of the U-shaped tubes, means for removing heating fluid from the other end of each of the U-shaped tubes, tube support means positioned within the vessel for preventing tube vibration, the tube support means including horizontally positioned means closely surrounding, but slightly spaced from each tube, means through which access can be had to the vessel interior beneath the tube sheet when the steam generator is not in operation, and testing means for determining whether or not a tube is locked into a tube support means including a longitudinal member, with a first end located inside the tube to be tested, and a second end located outside of the tube, means for securing the first end of the member to the inside of the tube, means for heating a length of the longitudinal member, and an equal length of the tube, to an elevated temperature, and means for indicating movement of the second end of the longitudinal member away from the tube end, which would indicate that the tube is locked into the support means

Independent tube verification and dynamic tracking in et inspection of nuclear steam generator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Xiongzi, Li; Zhongxue, Gan; Lance, Fitzgibbons

2001-01-01

The full text follows. In the examination of pressure boundary tubes in steam generators of commercial pressurized water nuclear power plants (PWR's), it is critical to know exactly which particular tube is being accessed. There are no definitive landmarks or markings on the individual tubes. Today this is done manually, it is tedious, and interrupts the normal inspection work, and is difficult due to the presence of water on the tube surface, plug ends instead of tube openings in the field of view, and varying lighting quality. In order to eliminate the human error and increase the efficiency of operation, there is a need to identify tube position during the inspection process, independent of robot encoder position and motion. A process based on a Cognex MVS-8200 system and its application function package has been developed to independently identify tube locations. ABB Combustion Engineering Nuclear Power's Outage Services group, USPPL in collaboration with ABB Power Plant Laboratories' Advanced Computers and Controls department has developed a new vision-based Independent Tube Verification system (GENESIS-ITVS-TM ). The system employ's a model-based tube-shape detection algorithm and dynamic tracking methodology to detect the true tool position and its offsets from identified tube location. GENESIS-ITVS-TM is an automatic Independent Tube Verification System (ITVS). Independent tube verification is a tube validation technique using computer vision, and not using any robot position parameters. This process independently counts the tubes in the horizontal and vertical axes of the plane of the steam generator tube sheet as the work tool is moved. Thus it knows the true position in the steam generator, given a known starting point. This is analogous to the operator's method of counting tubes for verification, but it is automated. GENESIS-ITVS-TM works independent of the robot position, velocity, or acceleration. The tube position information is solely obtained from

Structural and leakage integrity assessment of WWER steam generator tubes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Splichal, K.; Otruba, J. [Nuclear Research Inst., Rez (Switzerland)

1997-12-31

The integrity of heat exchange tubes may influence the life-time of WWER steam generators and appears to be an important criterion for the evaluation of their safety and operational reliability. The basic requirement is to assure a very low probability of radioactive water leakage, preventing unstable crack growth and sudden tube rupture. These requirements led to development of permissible limits for primary to secondary leak evolution and heat exchange tubes plugging based on eddy current test inspection. The stress corrosion cracking and pitting are the main corrosion damage of WWER heat exchange tubes and are initiated from the outer surface. They are influenced by water chemistry, temperature and tube wall stress level. They take place under crevice corrosion condition and are indicated especially (1) under the tube support plates, where up to 90-95 % of defects detected by the ECT method occur, and (2) on free spans under tube deposit layers. Both the initiation and crack growth cause thinning of the tube wall and lead to part thickness cracks and through-wall cracks, oriented above all in the axial direction. 10 refs.

Structural and leakage integrity assessment of WWER steam generator tubes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Splichal, K; Otruba, J [Nuclear Research Inst., Rez (Switzerland)

1998-12-31

The integrity of heat exchange tubes may influence the life-time of WWER steam generators and appears to be an important criterion for the evaluation of their safety and operational reliability. The basic requirement is to assure a very low probability of radioactive water leakage, preventing unstable crack growth and sudden tube rupture. These requirements led to development of permissible limits for primary to secondary leak evolution and heat exchange tubes plugging based on eddy current test inspection. The stress corrosion cracking and pitting are the main corrosion damage of WWER heat exchange tubes and are initiated from the outer surface. They are influenced by water chemistry, temperature and tube wall stress level. They take place under crevice corrosion condition and are indicated especially (1) under the tube support plates, where up to 90-95 % of defects detected by the ECT method occur, and (2) on free spans under tube deposit layers. Both the initiation and crack growth cause thinning of the tube wall and lead to part thickness cracks and through-wall cracks, oriented above all in the axial direction. 10 refs.

Structural and leakage integrity assessment of WWER steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Splichal, K.; Otruba, J.

1997-01-01

The integrity of heat exchange tubes may influence the life-time of WWER steam generators and appears to be an important criterion for the evaluation of their safety and operational reliability. The basic requirement is to assure a very low probability of radioactive water leakage, preventing unstable crack growth and sudden tube rupture. These requirements led to development of permissible limits for primary to secondary leak evolution and heat exchange tubes plugging based on eddy current test inspection. The stress corrosion cracking and pitting are the main corrosion damage of WWER heat exchange tubes and are initiated from the outer surface. They are influenced by water chemistry, temperature and tube wall stress level. They take place under crevice corrosion condition and are indicated especially (1) under the tube support plates, where up to 90-95 % of defects detected by the ECT method occur, and (2) on free spans under tube deposit layers. Both the initiation and crack growth cause thinning of the tube wall and lead to part thickness cracks and through-wall cracks, oriented above all in the axial direction

Development of expanded type plugging technique for leaky tubes of steam generators of Indian PHWRs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Das, Nirupam; Samuel, K.A.; Joemon, V.; Rupani, B.B.

2006-01-01

Steam generators are very important component of Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), as they are part of Primary Heat Transport (PHT) system of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). A nuclear power plant of 220 MWe capacity has four mushroom type steam generators, each consisting of 1830 U-tubes (16 mm outside diameter and 1 mm wall thickness) made of Incoloy-800 material. The tubes of 'tube and shell type steam generator' act as the pressure boundary of PHT System. Any structural failure of these tubes may lead to release of radioactivity along with plant outage and significant economic loss. Hence, it is necessary to plug the leaky tubes for continued and safe operation of a steam generator. An expanded type plugging technique has been developed at Reactor Engineering Division to plug the leaky tubes. This plugging technique is selected because of low residual stress imparted in the adjacent 'tube to tube-sheet' joints. This plug meets the various codal requirements of steam generator. A number of qualification trials have been carried out with such plugs in the mock up facility. The expanded plugs meet the design requirements for pull out strength and leak-tightness. This paper describes the design concept of the plug, developmental aspects and qualification of the plugging technique. (author)

1984 NRC Branch annual report: Steam Generator Group Project

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Clark, R.A.; Bickford, R.L.; Birks, A.S.

1985-02-01

Program objectives are to develop validated models, based on experimental data, for prediction of margins-to-failure under burst and collapse pressures of steam generator tubing found to be service-degraded by eddy current inservice inspection. This required the research contractor, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, to obtain, house and prepare an out-of-service degraded steam generator for a confirmatory research program. This research includes: (1) validation of current and developmental nondestructive examination techniques; (2) optimization of inservice inspection procedures, sampling plan and inspection period; (3) validation of tube integrity predictive models; (4) validation of stress corrosion cracking predictive models; (5) development/optimization of tube plugging criteria; and (6) evaluation of proposed chemical cleaning and decontamination processes/procedures with respect to near-term integrity and long-term effects on corrosion, degradation and safety

Steam generator group project: Task 13 final report: Nondestructive examination validation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bradley, E.R.; Doctor, P.G.; Ferris, R.H.; Buchanan, J.A.

1988-08-01

The Steam Generator Group Project (SGGP) was a multi-task effort using the retired-from-service Surry 2A pressurized water reactor steam generator as a test bed to investigate the reliability and effectiveness of in-service nondestructive eddy current (EC) inspection equipment and procedures. The information developed provided the technical basis for recommendations for improved in- service inspection and tube plugging criteria of steam generators. This report describes the results and analysis from Task 13--NDE Validation. The primary objective of Task 13 was to validate the EC inspection to detect and size tube defects. Additional objectives were to assess the nature and severity of tube degradation from all regions of the generator and to measure the remaining integrity of degraded specimens by burst testing. More than 550 specimens were removed from the generator and included in the validation studies. The bases for selecting the specimens and the methods and procedures used for specimen removal from the generator are reported. Results from metallurgical examinations of these specimens are presented and discussed. These examinations include visual inspection of all specimens to locate and identify tube degradation, metallographic examination of selected specimens to establish defect severity and burst testing of selected specimens to establish the remaining integrity of service-degraded tubes. Statistical analysis of the combined metallurgical and EC data to determine the probability of detection (POD) and sizing accuracy are reported along with a discussion of the factors which influenced the EC results. Finally, listings of the metallurgical and corresponding EC data bases are given. 12 refs., 141 figs., 24 tabs

Study of scratch-induced stress corrosion cracking for steam generator tubes and scratch control

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Meng, F.; Xu, X.; Liu, X.; Wang, J.

2014-01-01

This paper introduces field cases for scratch-induced stress corrosion cracking (SISCC) of steam generator tubes in PWR and current studies in laboratories. According to analysis result of broke tubes, scratches caused intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) with outburst. The effect of microstructure for nickel-base alloys, residual stresses caused by scratching process and water chemistry on SISCC and possible mechanism of SISCC are discussed. The result shows that scratch-induced microstructure evolution contributes to SISCC significantly. The causes of scratches during steam generator tubing manufacturing and installation process are stated and improved reliability with scratch control is highlighted for steam generator tubes in newly built nuclear power plants. (author)

Study of scratch-induced stress corrosion cracking for steam generator tubes and scratch control

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Meng, F.; Xu, X.; Liu, X. [Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research and Design Institute, Shanghai (China); Wang, J. [Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Metal Research, Shenyang (China)

2014-07-01

This paper introduces field cases for scratch-induced stress corrosion cracking (SISCC) of steam generator tubes in PWR and current studies in laboratories. According to analysis result of broke tubes, scratches caused intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) with outburst. The effect of microstructure for nickel-base alloys, residual stresses caused by scratching process and water chemistry on SISCC and possible mechanism of SISCC are discussed. The result shows that scratch-induced microstructure evolution contributes to SISCC significantly. The causes of scratches during steam generator tubing manufacturing and installation process are stated and improved reliability with scratch control is highlighted for steam generator tubes in newly built nuclear power plants. (author)

Development of a sealed-accelerator-tube neutron generator

Science.gov (United States)

Verbeke; Leung; Vujic

2000-10-01

Sealed-accelerator-tube neutron generators are being developed in Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) for applications ranging from neutron radiography to boron neutron capture therapy and neutron activation analysis. The new generation of high-output neutron generators is based on the D-T fusion reaction, producing 14.1-MeV neutrons. The main components of the neutron tube--the ion source, the accelerator and the target--are all housed in a sealed metal container without external pumping. Thick-target neutron yield computations are performed in this paper to estimate the neutron yield of titanium and scandium targets. With an average deuteron beam current of 1 A and an energy of 120 keV, a time-averaged neutron production of approximately 10(14) n/s can be estimated for a tritiated target, for both pulsed and cw operations. In mixed deuteron/triton beam operation, a beam current of 2 A at 150 keV is required for the same neutron output. Recent experimental results on ion sources and accelerator columns are presented and discussed.

Study on thermal and mechanical properties of U-tube materials for steam generator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rheu, Woo Suk; Kang, Young Hwan; Park, Jong Man; Joo, Ki Nam; Kim, Sung Soo; Maeng, Wan Young; Park, Se Jin

1993-01-01

Most of domestic nuclear plants have used I600 TT material for steam generator U-tube, and piled up the field experience. I600 HTMA and I690 TT, however, are recommended for an alternative of U-tube by ABB-CE since YK-3 and 4. Field experience of I600 HTMA and I690 TT have not compiled in the country, so it is concerned to select the future materials for U-tube. Thus, database on the thermal and mechanical properties of U-tube materials is very necessary for design documentations. In this study, the thermal, mechanical and metallugical properties were tested and evaluated to establish the database for steam generator U-tube. In addition, thermal conductivity of I600 and I690 was measured and compared statistically, providing a basic document for applying I690 to U-tube. The results will be used to improve the manufacturing process in order to increase the integrity of U-tube. (Author)

Hideout in steam generator tube deposits

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Balakrishnan, P.V.; Franklin, K.J.; Turner, C.W.

1998-05-01

Hideout in deposits on steam generator tubes was studied using tubes coated with magnetite. Hideout from sodium chloride solutions at 279 degrees C was followed using an on-line high-temperature conductivity probe, as well as by chemical analysis of solution samples from the autoclave in which the studies were done. Significant hideout was observed only at a heat flux greater than 200 kW/m 2 , corresponding to a temperature drop greater than 2 degrees C across the deposits. The concentration factor resulting from the hideout increased highly non-linearly with the heat flux (varying as high as the fourth power of the heat flux). The decrease in the apparent concentration factor with increasing deposit thickness suggested that the pores in the deposit were occupied by a mixture of steam and water, which is consistent with the conclusion from the thermal conductivity measurements on deposits in a separate study. Analyses of the deposits after the hideout tests showed no evidence of any hidden-out solute species, probably due to the concentrations being very near the detection limits and to their escape from the deposit as the tests were being ended. This study showed that hideout in deposits may concentrate solutes in the steam generator bulk water by a factor as high as 2 x 10 3 . Corrosion was evident under the deposit in some tests, with some chromium enrichment on the surface of the tube. Chromium enrichment usually indicates an acidic environment, but the mobility required of chromium to become incorporated into the thick magnetite deposit may indicate corrosion under an alkaline environment. An alkaline environment could result from preferential accumulation of sodium in the solution in the deposit during the hideout process. (author)

PROFIL-360 high resolution steam generator tube profilometry system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Glass, S.W.

1985-01-01

A high-resolution profilometry system, PROFIL 360, has been developed to assess the condition of steam generator tubes and rapidly produce the data to evaluate the potential for developing in-service leaks. The probe has an electromechanical sensor in a rotating head. This technique has been demonstrated in the field, saving tubes that would have been plugged with the go-gauge criterion and indicating plugging other high-risk candidates that might otherwise not have been removed from service

Profil-360 high resolution steam generator tube profilometry system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Glass, S.W.

1985-01-01

A high-resolution profilometry system, PROFIL 360, has been developed to assess the condition of steam generator tubes and rapidly produce the data to evaluate the potential for developing in-service leaks. The probe has an electromechanical sensor in a rotating head. This technique has been demonstrated in the field, saving tubes that would have been plugged with the go-gauge criterion and indicating plugging other high-risk candidates that might otherwise not have been removed from service

Regulation of ageing steam generators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jarman, B.L.; Grant, I.M.; Garg, R.

1998-01-01

Recent years have seen leaks and shutdowns of Canadian CANDU plants due to steam generator tube degradation by mechanisms including stress corrosion cracking, fretting and pitting. Failure of a single steam generator tube, or even a few tubes, would not be a serious safety related event in a CANDU reactor. The leakage from a ruptured tube is within the makeup capacity of the primary heat transport system, so that as long as the operator takes the correct actions, the off-site consequences will be negligible. However, assurance that no tubes deteriorate to the point where their integrity could be seriously breached as result of potential accidents, and that any leakage caused by such an accident will be small enough to be inconsequential, can only be obtained through detailed monitoring and management of steam generator condition. This paper presents the AECB's current approach and future regulatory directions regarding ageing steam generators. (author)

Steam-generator tube failures: world experience in water-cooled nuclear power reactors during 1972

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stevens-Guille, P.D.

1975-01-01

During 1972, approximately one in three operating reactors with steam generators incurred tube failures, predominantly near the tube sheet and in the bend region. Various forms of corrosion were the most frequent cause of failure. Eddy-current inspection was the preferred method for locating and investigating the cause of failure. Extensive use was made of both mechanical and explosive plugs for repair. As a class, steam generators with Monel 400 tubes had the lowest failure rates, and those with Inconel 600 tubes had the highest. (U.S.)

Development of weld plugging for steam generator tubes of FBR

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shimoyama, T.; Matsuyama, T.; Matsumoto, O.; Nagura, Y.; Nakamura, H.; Tohguchi, Y.; Kurokawa, M.; Fukada, T.

2002-01-01

This study was undertaken to develop a method of weld plugging of the heat-exchanger tubes of steam generator of Prototype FBR 'MONJU' in case these tubes are damaged for some reason. We studied mainly the shape of plug, welding procedure and effect of postweld heat treatment (PWHT). Evaporator tube sheet, tube and plug are made of 2-1/4Cr-1Mo steel and usually preheating and PWHT will be required for welding of this steel. The results of this study is as follows. 1) Plug was designed to make butt joint welding with grooved tube sheet around the tube hole to satisfy the requirements of plug designing, stress analysis, and good weldability. 2) TIG welding process was selected and certified its good weldability and good performance. 3) PWHT can be done by using high frequency induction heating method locally and also designing the plug to weld joint with tube sheet which was grooved around the tube hole. 4) Mock up test was done and it was certified that this plugging procedure has good weldability and good performance ability for Non Destructive Inspection. (author)

Influence of steam generator tube ruptures during semiscale loss-of-coolant experiments

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cozzuol, J.M.; Larson, T.K.

1978-01-01

Tests which simulated rupture of steam generator tubes during loss-of-coolant experiments in a PWR type system have been conducted in the Semiscale Mod-1 system. Analysis of test data indicates that high rod cladding temperatures occured only for a band of tube ruptures (between 12 and 20 tubes) and that the peak cladding temperatures attained within this band were strongly dependent on the magnitude of the tube rupture flow rates. Maximum cladding temperature of about 1255 K was observed for tests which simulated tube ruptures within this narrow band. (author)

Cleanliness criteria to improve steam generator performance

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Schwarz, T.; Bouecke, R.; Odar, S.

2005-01-01

High steam generator performance is a prerequisite for high plant availability and possible life time extension. The major opponent to that is corrosion and fouling of the heating tubes. Such steam generator degradation problems arise from the continuous ingress of non-volatile contaminants, i.e. corrosion products and salt impurities may accumulate in the steam generators. These impurities have their origin in the secondary side systems. The corrosion products generally accumulate in the steam generators and form deposits not only in the flow restricted areas, such as on top of tube sheet and tube support structure, but also build scales on the steam generator heating tubes. In addition, the tube scales in general affect the steam generator thermal performance, which ultimately causes a reduction of power output. The most effective ways of counteracting all these degradation problems, and thus of improving the steam generator performance is to keep them in clean conditions or, if judged necessary, to plan cleaning measures such as mechanical tube sheet lancing or chemical cleaning. This paper presents a methodology how to assess the cleanliness condition of a steam generator by bringing together all available operational and inspection data such as thermal performance and water chemistry data. By means of this all-inclusive approach the cleanliness condition is quantified in terms of a fouling index. The fouling index allows to monitor the condition of a specific steam generator, compare it to other plants and, finally, to serve as criterion for cleaning measures such as chemical cleaning. The application of the cleanliness criteria and the achieved field results with respect to improvements of steam generator performance will be presented. (author)

Tube tightness survey during Phenix steam generator operation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cambillard, E.

1976-01-01

Phenix steam generators are once-through vessels with single-wall heat-exchange tubes. This design means that any leakage of water into the sodium must be detected as quickly as possible so that the installation can be shut down before extensive damage occurs. The detection of water leaks in Phenix steam generators is based on measurement of the concentration in the sodium, of hydrogen produced by the sodium-water reaction. Since the various modules--evaporators, superheaters, and reheaters--have no free sodium surfaces, detection of hydrogen in argon is not used in Phenix steam generators. The measurement systems employ a probe made of nickel tubes 0.3 mm thick. Hydrogen in the sodium diffuses into a chamber kept under vacuum by an ion pump. The hydrogen pressure in the chamber is measured by a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The nine measurement systems (three per steam generator) are calibrated by injecting hydrogen into the sodium of the secondary circuits. The data-processing computer calculates the hydrogen concentration in the sodium from the spectrometer signals and the probe temperatures, which are not regulated in Phenix; it generates instructions that enable the operator to act if a leak appears. So far, no leaks have been detected. These systems also make it possible to determine rates of hydrogen diffusion caused by corrosion of the steel walls on the water side

Determination of LEDs degradation with entropy generation rate

Science.gov (United States)

Cuadras, Angel; Yao, Jiaqiang; Quilez, Marcos

2017-10-01

We propose a method to assess the degradation and aging of light emitting diodes (LEDs) based on irreversible entropy generation rate. We degraded several LEDs and monitored their entropy generation rate ( S ˙ ) in accelerated tests. We compared the thermoelectrical results with the optical light emission evolution during degradation. We find a good relationship between aging and S ˙ (t), because S ˙ is both related to device parameters and optical performance. We propose a threshold of S ˙ (t) as a reliable damage indicator of LED end-of-life that can avoid the need to perform optical measurements to assess optical aging. The method lays beyond the typical statistical laws for lifetime prediction provided by manufacturers. We tested different LED colors and electrical stresses to validate the electrical LED model and we analyzed the degradation mechanisms of the devices.

Failure analysis of leakage on titanium tubes within heat exchangers in a nuclear power plant. Part II: Mechanical degradation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gong, Y.; Yang, Z.G. [Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai (China); Yuan, J.Z. [Third Qinshan Nuclear Power Co. Ltd., Haiyan, Zhejiang Province (China)

2012-01-15

Serious failure incidents like clogging, quick thinning, and leakage frequently occurred on lots of titanium tubes of heat exchangers in a nuclear power plant in China. In the Part I of the whole failure analysis study with totally two parts, factors mainly involving three kinds of electrochemical corrosions were investigated, including galvanic corrosion, crevice corrosion, and hydrogen-assisted corrosion. In the current Part II, through microscopically analyzing the ruptures on the leaked tubes by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), another four causes dominantly lying in the aspect of mechanical degradation were determined - clogging, erosion, mechanical damaging, and fretting. Among them, the erosion effect was the primary one, thus the stresses it exerted on the tube wall were also supplementarily evaluated by finite element method (FEM). Based on the analysis results, the different degradation extents and morphologies by erosion on the tubes when they were clogged by different substances such as seashell, rubber debris, and sediments were compared, and relevant mechanisms were discussed. Finally, countermeasures were put forward as well. (Copyright copyright 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

A balanced strategy in managing steam generator thermal performance

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hu, M. H.; Nelson, P. R.

2009-01-01

This paper presents a balanced strategy in managing thermal performance of steam generator designed to deliver rated megawatt thermal (MWt) and megawatt electric (MWe) power without loss with some amount of thermal margin. A steam generator (SG) is a boiling heat exchanger whose thermal performance may degrade because of steam pressure loss. In other words, steam pressure loss is an indicator of thermal performance degradation. Steam pressure loss is mainly a result of either 1) tube scale induced poor boiling or 2) tube plugging historically resulting from tubing corrosion, wear due to flow induced tube vibration or loose parts impact. Thermal performance degradation was historically due to tube plugging but more recently it is due to poor boiling caused by more bad than good constituents of feedwater impurities. The whole SG industry still concentrates solely on maintenance programs towards preventing causes for tube plugging and yet almost no programs on maintaining adequate boiling of fouled tubes. There can be an acceptable amount of tube scale that provides excellent boiling capacity without tubing corrosion, as operational experience has repeatedly demonstrated. Therefore, future maintenance has to come up balanced programs for allocating limited resources in both maintaining good boiling capacity and preventing tube plugging. This paper discusses also thermal performance degradation due to feedwater impurity induced blockage of tube support plate and thus subsequent water level oscillations, and how to mitigate them. This paper provides a predictive management of tube scale for maintaining adequate steam pressure and stable water level without loss in MWt/MWe or recovering from steam pressure loss or water level oscillations. This paper offers a balanced strategy in managing SG thermal performance to fulfill its mission. Such a strategy is even more important in view of the industry trend in pursuing extended power uprate as high as 20 percent

Efficiency of defect specific maintenance od steam generator tubes: the case of ODSCC

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cizelj, L.; Dvorsek, T.

1996-01-01

The outside diameter stress corrosion cracking at tube support plates became the dominating ageing mechanism in steam generators tubes made of Inconel 600. A variety of maintenance approaches were developed and implemented worldwide to deal with this mechanism. Despite different philosophical and physical backgrounds implemented, all of the applied approaches satisfy the relevant regulatory requirements. For our purpose, the maintenance approach consist of: (1) inspection of tubes, (2) accepting or rejecting the defective tube and (3) plugging of rejected tubes. The problem of selecting an optimal maintenance approach is raised in the paper. Consequently, a method comparing the efficiency of applicable maintenance approaches is proposed. The efficiency is defined by three parameters: (a) number of plugged tubes, (b) probability of steam generator tube rupture and (c) predicted accidental leak rates through the defects. An original probabilistic model is proposed to quantify the probability of tube rupture, while procedures available in literature were used to define the accidental leak rates. The numerical example considers the data from Krsko NPP (Westinghouse 632 MWe). The maintenance approaches analyzed include: (i) no repair at all, (ii) traditional defect depth (40%) based maintenance, (iii) alternate plugging criterion (bobbin coil voltage as defined by EPRI and U.S. NRC) and (iv) combined traditional and alternate approach. Advantages of the defect specific approaches (iii) and (iv) over the traditional one (defect depth) are clearly shown. A brief discussion on the optimization of safe life of steam generator is given. (author)

Multi-target Wastage Phenomena on Steam Generator Tubes During an SWR Event

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jeong, Ji Young; Kim, Jong Man; Kim, Tae Joon; Eoh, Jae Hyuk; Choi, Jong Hyeun; Lee, Yong Bum

2011-01-01

The Korean sodium cooled fast reactor, KALIMER- 600 (Korea Advanced LIquid MEtal Reactor) of which the electric output is 600MWe, was developed. The steam generator (SG) of this system is a shell-and-tube type counter-current flow heat exchanger, which is vertically oriented with fixed tube-sheets. A direct heat exchange occurs between the shell-side sodium and the tube-side water at the SG unit. Feed-water enters the inlet nozzle at the lower part of the unit and it flows upward along the helically coiled heat transfer tubes. The inflow sodium is cooled down at the bundle region and then flows out through the sodium outlet nozzle at the bottom of the unit. The typical configuration of the KALIMER-600 SG is shown in Figure 1. In a steam generator, sodium and water are separated by the heat transfer tube wall and it makes a strong pressure boundary between the shell-side sodium and the tube-side water/steam. For this reason, if there is a small hole or crack, even with a pin hole, on heat transfer tubes, a large amount of water/steam would leak into the liquid sodium due to the high pressure difference more than 150 bars, and an exothermic sodium-water chemical reaction takes place as a result. This type of sodium-water reaction (SWR) has been considered as one of the most important safety issues to be resolved. From previous studies, it was obviously figured out that the number of ruptured tubes during an SWR event is one of the most significant factors to determine the temperature and pressure transient. Any subsequent tube rupture behavior in the vicinity of the initially postulated single ruptured tube should be evaluated by considering the single- and multi-target wastage phenomena. Wastage is defined as damage to the structural material (e.g. heat transfer tubes) due to an impingement of the highly corrosive reaction product. Since the impingement may cause wastage of the neighboring heat transfer tubes, a subsequent tube failure can occur in a very short time

High temperature technological heat exchangers and steam generators with helical coil assembly tube bundle

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Korotaev, O.J.; Mizonov, N.V.; Nikolaevsky, V.B.; Nazarov, E.K.

1990-01-01

Analysis of thermal hydraulics characteristics of nuclear steam generators with different tube bundle arrangements and waste heat boilers for ammonia production units was performed on the basis of operating experience results and research and development data. The present report involves the obtained information. The estimations of steam generator performances and repair-ability are given. The significant temperature profile of the primary and secondary coolant flows are attributed to all steam generator designs. The intermediate mixing is found to be an effective means of temperature profile overcoming. At present the only means to provide an effective mixing in heat exchangers of the following types: straight tubes, field tubes, platen tubes and multibank helical coil tubes (with complicated bend distribution along their length) are section arrangements in series in conjunction with forced and natural mixing in connecting lines. Development of the unificated system from mini helical coil assemblies allows to design and manufacture heat exchangers and steam generators within the wide range of operating conditions without additional expenses on the research and development work

Experimental modeling of flow-induced vibration of multi-span U-tubes in a CANDU steam generator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mohany, A.; Feenstra, P.; Janzen, V.P.; Richard, R.

2009-01-01

Flow-induced vibration of the tubes in a nuclear steam generator is a concern for designers who are trying to increase the life span of these units. The dominant excitation mechanisms are fluidelastic instability and random turbulence excitation. The outermost U-bend region of the tubes is of greatest concern because the flow is almost perpendicular to the tube axis and the unsupported span is relatively long. The support system in this region must be well designed in order to minimize fretting wear of the tubes at the support locations. Much of the previous testing was conducted on straight single-span or cantilevered tubes in cross-flow. However, the dynamic response of steam generator multi-span U-tubes with clearance supports is expected to be different. Accurate modeling of the tube dynamics is important to properly simulate the dynamic interaction of the tube and supports. This paper describes a test program that was developed to measure the dynamic response of a bundle of steam generator U-tubes with Anti-Vibration Bar (AVB) supports, subjected to Freon two-phase cross-flow. The tube bundle has similar geometrical conditions to those expected for future CANDU steam generators. Future steam generators will be larger than previous CANDU steam generators, nearly twice the heat transfer area, with significant changes in process conditions in the U-bend region, such as increased steam quality and a broader range of flow velocities. This test program was initiated at AECL to demonstrate that the tube support design for future CANDU steam generators will meet the stringent requirements associated with a 60 year design life. The main objective of the tests is to address the issue of in-plane and out-of-plane fluidelastic instability and random turbulent excitation of a U-tube bundle with Anti-Vibration Bar (AVB) supports. Details of the test rig, measurement techniques and preliminary instrumentation results are described in the paper. (author)

Fatigue analysis of a PWR steam generator tube sheet

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Billon, F.; Buchalet, C.; Poudroux, G.

1985-01-01

The fatigue analysis of a PWR steam generator (S.G) tube sheet is threefold. First, the flow, pressure and temperature variations during the design transients are defined for both the primary fluid and the normal and auxiliary feedwater. Second, the flow, velocities, pressure and temperature variations of the secondary fluid at the bottom of the downcomer and above the tube sheet are determined for the transients considered. Finally, the corresponding temperatures and stresses in the tube sheet are calculated and the usage factors determined at various locations in the tube sheet. The currently available standard design transients for the primary fluid and the feedwater are too conservative to be utilized as such in the fatigue analysis of the S.G. tube sheets. Thus, a detailed examination and reappraisal of each operating transient was performed. The revised design conditions are used as inputs to the calculation model TEMPTRON. TEMPTRON determines the mixing conditions between the feedwater and the recirculation fluid from the S.G. feedwater nozzles to the center of the tube sheet via the downcomer. The fluid parameters, flow rate and velocity, temperature and pressure variations, as a function of the time during the transients are obtained. Finally, the usage factors at various locations on the tube sheet are derived using the standard ASME section III method

Evaluating Steam Generator Tubing Corrosion through Shutdown Nickel and Cobalt Releases

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Marks, Chuck; Little, Mike; Krull, Peter; Dennis Hussey; Kenny Epperson

2012-09-01

During power operation in PWRs, steam generator tubing corrodes. In PWRs with nickel alloy steam generator tubing this leads to the release of nickel into the coolant. While not structurally significant, this process leads to corrosion product deposition on the fuel surfaces that can threaten fuel integrity, provide a site for boron precipitation, and, through activation and subsequent release, lead to increased out-of-core radiation fields. During shutdown, decreases in temperature and pH and an increase in the oxidation potential lead to dissolution of some corrosion products from the core. This work evaluated the masses of corrosion products released during shutdown as a proxy for steam generator tubing corrosion rates. The masses were evaluated for trends with time (e.g., the number of cycles) and for the influence of design and operating features such as tubing manufacturer, plant design (e.g., three loop versus four loop), and operating chemistry program. This project utilized the EPRI PWR Chemistry Monitoring and Assessment database. Data from over 20 units, many over several cycles, were assessed. The focus was on corrosion product release from Alloy 690TT tubing and all data were from units that had replaced steam generators. Data were analyzed using models developed from corrosion rate test data reported in the literature with a heavy reliance on data from the EDF BOREAL testing. The most striking result of this analysis was a clear division between plants that exhibited corrosion with a falling rate (i.e., following an exponential decay as has been observed, for example, in the BOREAL testing) and those that showed a constant corrosion rate, sustained for many outages. This difference appears to be most closely correlated with the manufacturer of the tubing. Within the two distinct plant groups (decaying corrosion rate and constant corrosion rate), details of the trends were evaluated for correlation with zinc addition history, plant type, and operating

A study on development of a rule based expert system for steam generator life extension

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Park, Jin Kyun

1994-02-01

The need of predicting the integrity of the steam generator(SG) tubes and environmental conditions that affect their integrity is growing to secure nuclear power plant(NPP) safety and enhance plant availability. To achieve their objectives it is important to diagnose the integrity of the SG tubes. An expert system called FEMODES(failure mode diagnosis expert system) has been developed for diagnosis of such tube degradation phenomena as denting, intergranular attack(IGA) and stress corrosion cracking(SCC) in the secondary side of the SG. It is possible with use of FEMODES to estimate possibilities of SG tube degradation and diagnosis environmental conditions that influence such tube degradation. The method of certainty factor theory(CFT) and the rule based backward reasoning inference strategy are used to develop FEMODES. The information required for diagnosis is acquired from SG tube degradation experiences of two local reference plants, some limited oversea plants and technical reports/research papers about such tube degradation. Overall results estimated with use of FEMODES are in reasonable agreement with actual SG tube degradation. Some discrepancy observed in several estimated values of SG tube degradation appears to be due to insufficient heuristic knowledge for knowledge data base of FEMODES

Analysis of Hydrogen Generation and Accumulation in U-233 Tube Vaults

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ally, M.R.; Willis, K.J.

1999-01-01

The purpose of the 233 U Safe Storage Program is to enhance the safe storage of 233 U-bearing materials. This report describes the work done at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Radiochemical Development Facility (RDF) to address questions related to possible hydrogen generation and accumulation in 233 U tube vaults. The objective of this effort was to verify assumptions in the mathematical model used to estimate the hydrogen content of the gaseous atmosphere that possibly could occur inside the tube vaults in Building 3019 and to evaluate proposed measures for mitigating any hydrogen concerns. A mathematical model was developed using conservative assumptions to evaluate possible hydrogen generation and accumulation in the tube vaults. The model concluded that an equilibrium concentration would be established below the lower flammability limit (LFL) of 4.1% hydrogen. The major assumptions used in the model that were validated are as follows: (1) The shield plug does not form a seal with the tube vault wall, thus allowing the hydrogen gas to diffuse past the shield plug to the upper section of the tube vault. (2) The tube vault end-cap leaks sufficiently to allow air to be drawn into the tube vault by the off-gas system, thereby purging hydrogen from the upper section of the tube vault. (3) Any hydrogen gas generated completely mixes with the other gases present in the lower section of the tube vault and does not stratify beneath the shield plug. (4) The diffusion coefficient determined from the literature for constant diffusion of hydrogen in air is valid. The coefficient is corrected for temperatures from 0 to 25 C. Another assumption used in the model, that hydrogen generated by radiolytic decomposition of hydrogen-bearing materials (e.g., moisture and plastic) leaks from the cans under steady-state condition, as opposed to a sudden release resulting from rupture of the can(s), was beyond the scope of this investigation. Several parameters from the original

Identification of leaky steam generators by iodine mapping technique and development of tools for cutting of tubes of steam generators of Indian PHWRS

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Subba Rao, D.

2006-01-01

Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (2X220 MWe) located in Mandvi Taluka of Surat District in the state of Gujarat is the fifth Nuclear Power Station of the country. It has got an excellent record in the field of operation, safety, public awareness and emergency preparedness. KAPS Unit -1 achieved first criticality in Sep-1992 and was declared for commercial operation in may-1993. KAPS Unit -2 achieved first criticality in Jan-1995 and was declared for commercial operation in Sep-1995. So far station has generated about 30 billion units.Unit-1 achieved 98.4% and was graded as a world's No.1 in year 2002 amongst all CANDU type reactors. KAPS Unit -1 has made another record of operating continuously for more than 300 days in Indian PHWR s operating history. This paper mainly deals with the Indian PHWRs Steam Generators (SG) tube leaks, leaky steam generator identification by Iodine mapping, and development of special tool for cutting, removal and plugging of leaky tubes. These Steam Generators are designed by M/s Kraft Werke Union (KWU) of Siemens Group, West Germany, and Manufactured by M/s ENSA, SPAIN for Unit- 1 and by M/s MAN-GHH, Germany for Unit- 2. First time in October-2002 one of the Steam Generators of Unit-1 developed tube leak. To identify leaky Steam Generator, KAPS has established a method of Iodine mapping. With that the leaky SG was identified in very short time and corrective actions were taken immediately. Total three tube leaks (two in SG-4 of Unit-1 and one in SG-1 of unit-2) were experienced in both Units'. Following observations were made on SG tubes failure: All failures were in cold leg side; All Failures / deterioration locations were in front of main feed water nozzle; All Failures / deterioration locations were observed to be just above tube support plate (TSP) number 4 or 5; Deterioration ( i.e. wall thinning) observed from OD side and these tubes were adjacent to failed tubes; In all the three incidents, failed / deteriorated tubes were

Application of laser-based profilometry to tubing in power generating utilities

Science.gov (United States)

Doyle, James L.

1995-05-01

Over the past several years lasers have been employed in an ever widening number of applications in an incredibly diverse set of markets. In the area of nondestructive testing, however, laser-based systems have only recently made inroads into the commercial markets. About ten years ago QUEST Integrated, Inc., began working with the U.S. Navy to adapt the principal of laser triangulation to solve a serious maintenance related problem. The internal surfaces of marine boiler tubes were experiencing pitting and corrosion which had resulted in catastrophic shipboard failures. At that time, conventional visual methods only allowed operators to inspect the first eighteen inches of the tube using a rigid borescope. If any pits were located, a mechanical stylus mechanism was used to obtain an approximate depth measurement of the pit. The condition of the balance of the tube was then extrapolated based on this extremely limited amount of information. Often the worst pitting was found in the bends of the tube, which could not be inspected by the visual method. Finally, a catastrophic boiler failure on an aircraft carrier resulted in the initiation of a search by the U.S. Navy for a better solution. Quest was contracted to develop an articulated probe which could negotiate the full length of a boiler tube with multiple bends, and generate a complete digital map of the inside surface. A key requirement of this probe would be rapid and quantitative measurement of internal features such as ID pits and corrosion. In 1987 QUEST delivered the first laser- optic tube inspection system to the U.S. Navy for use in marine boiler tubes. The Laser Optic Tube Inspection System (LOTISTM) was immediately put to use and paid for itself many times over in reduced maintenance costs. Over the next six years several generations of LOTIS were developed for the U.S. Navy, each one providing more capabilities, improved inspection speeds, and more user friendly operator interface. Today, LOTIS is

Experimental facility design for study of fretting in steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Balbiani, J.P.; Bergant, M.; Yawny, A.

2012-01-01

The design of an experimental facility for fretting wear testing of steam generator tubes under pressurized water up to 340 o C, is presented. The main component of the device consists in an autoclave which permits to recreate steam generator operating conditions. CAD CATIA V5R18, CAE ABAQUS and ASME Sec. VII Div. 1 (Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels) were used along the design process. The design of the autoclave included the pressure vessel itself and the necessary flanges and nozzles. In addition, an axial dynamic sealing system was designed to allow for actuation from outside the pressure boundary. Complementary, typical tube - support contact conditions were analyzed and the principal variables affecting their mutual interaction determined. In addition, a simple device which allows performing fretting wear testing on steam generator tubes in air at room temperature was fabricated and the feasibility of a quantitative assessment of different aspects related with the fretting induced damage was explored. Characterization techniques available at Centro Atomico Bariloche, like light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX) and surface damage analysis by optic profilometry were shown to be appropriate for this aim. The designed facility will allow evaluating fretting damage of tubes - support combinations that might be used on the steam generator of the prototype reactor CAREM-25. It is also expected it could be applied to characterize fretting severity in other applications (nuclear fuel elements) (author)

Stress relief treatment of Alloy 600 steam generator tubing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rooyen, D. van; Cragnolino, C.

1994-01-01

The intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) of Alloy 600 tubing in the primary side of operating steam generators is the subject of this investigation. The objective of the program was to examine the feasibility of heat treatment to alleviate the IGSCC problem. In addition to this, tests were also performed to examine the IGSCC susceptibility of nuclear grade Alloy 600 tubing obtained from various sources. Examination of temperature-time combinations that may hold potential for improved IGSCC resistance of the transition regions of tubes expanded into tube sheet holes was done. The combinations fall in two categories. One is of short duration and relatively high temperature, where induction is the best method of heating because the treatment only lasts from some tens of seconds to a few minutes. The other is carried out in a lower temperature range and lasts for several hours. This latter combination of temperatures and times is considered for the so-called global heat treatment of entire tube sheet. To assess the effect of these treatments, reverse U-bend testing in high purity deaerated water containing an overpressure of hydrogen was employed and several heats of Alloy 600 were compared in tests at 365 degrees C, which is well above actual operating temperatures of steam generators, but provides an accelerated test procedure. Results of furnace heating in the range of 550-610 degrees C indicated improvement in IGSCC resistance, with best performance after a heat treatment at 610 degrees C for nine hours. In addition to stress relief, carbide precipitation can also occur, and their relative contributions to the improvement is discussed

Stress analysis of pressurized water reactor steam generator tube denting phenomena. Interim report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Thomas, J.M.; Cipolla, R.C.; Ranjan, G.V.; Derbalian, G.

1978-07-01

In some Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) steam generators, a corrosion product has formed on the carbon steel support plate in the crevice between the tube and support plate. The corrosion product occupies more volume than the original metal; the tube-to-support plate crevice volume is thus consumed with corrosion product, and further corrosive action results in a radially inward force on the tube and a radially outward force on the corroding support plate. This has resulted in indentation (''denting'') of the tube, accompanied by occasional cracking. Large in-plane deformation and cracking of support plates has also been observed in the most severely affected plants along with some serious side effects, such as deformation and cracking of inner row tube U-bends caused by support plate movement. Mechanical aspects of the tube denting phenomena have been studied using analytical models. The models used ranged from closed form analytical solutions to state-of-the-art numerical elastic-plastic computer program for moderate strains. It was found that tube dents, such as those observed in operating steam generators, are associated with yielding of both the tubes and support plates. Also studied were the stresses in tube U-bends caused by support plate flow slot deformation

Prognostics for Steam Generator Tube Rupture using Markov Chain model

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Gibeom; Heo, Gyunyoung; Kim, Hyeonmin

2016-01-01

This paper will describe the prognostics method for evaluating and forecasting the ageing effect and demonstrate the procedure of prognostics for the Steam Generator Tube Rupture (SGTR) accident. Authors will propose the data-driven method so called MCMC (Markov Chain Monte Carlo) which is preferred to the physical-model method in terms of flexibility and availability. Degradation data is represented as growth of burst probability over time. Markov chain model is performed based on transition probability of state. And the state must be discrete variable. Therefore, burst probability that is continuous variable have to be changed into discrete variable to apply Markov chain model to the degradation data. The Markov chain model which is one of prognostics methods was described and the pilot demonstration for a SGTR accident was performed as a case study. The Markov chain model is strong since it is possible to be performed without physical models as long as enough data are available. However, in the case of the discrete Markov chain used in this study, there must be loss of information while the given data is discretized and assigned to the finite number of states. In this process, original information might not be reflected on prediction sufficiently. This should be noted as the limitation of discrete models. Now we will be studying on other prognostics methods such as GPM (General Path Model) which is also data-driven method as well as the particle filer which belongs to physical-model method and conducting comparison analysis

Simulating Porous Magnetite Layer Deposited on Alloy 690TT Steam Generator Tubes.

Science.gov (United States)

Jeon, Soon-Hyeok; Son, Yeong-Ho; Choi, Won-Ik; Song, Geun Dong; Hur, Do Haeng

2018-01-02

In nuclear power plants, the main corrosion product that is deposited on the outside of steam generator tubes is porous magnetite. The objective of this study was to simulate porous magnetite that is deposited on thermally treated (TT) Alloy 690 steam generator tubes. A magnetite layer was electrodeposited on an Alloy 690TT substrate in an Fe(III)-triethanolamine solution. After electrodeposition, the dense magnetite layer was immersed to simulate porous magnetite deposits in alkaline solution for 50 days at room temperature. The dense morphology of the magnetite layer was changed to a porous structure by reductive dissolution reaction. The simulated porous magnetite layer was compared with flakes of steam generator tubes, which were collected from the secondary water system of a real nuclear power plant during sludge lancing. Possible nuclear research applications using simulated porous magnetite specimens are also proposed.

Automation of inspection methods for eddy current testing of steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Meurgey, P.; Baumaire, A.

1990-01-01

Inspection of all the tubes of a steam generator when the reactor is stopped is required for some of these exchangers affected by stress corrosion cracking. Characterization of each crack, in each tube is made possible by the development of software for processing the signals from an eddy current probe. The ESTELLE software allows a rapid increase of tested tubes, more than 80,000 in 1989 [fr

Eddy current magnetic bias x-probe qualification and inspection of steam generator Monel 400 tubing in Pickering Nuclear Generating Station

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lepine, B.A.; Van Langen, J.; Obrutsky, L.

2006-01-01

This paper presents an overview of the x-probe MB 350 eddy current inspection array probe, for detection of open OD axial crack-like flaws in Monel 400 tubes at Pickering Nuclear Generating Station. This report contains a selection of inspection results from the field inspections performed with this probe during the 2003 and 2004 period at Pickering Nuclear Generating Station A and B. During the 2003 in-service eddy current inspection results of Pickering Nuclear Generating Station A (PNGS-A) Unit 2, a 13 mm (0.5 inch) long axial indication was detected by the CTR1 bobbin and CTR2-C4 array probes in Tube R25-C52 of Steam Generator (SG) 11 in the hot leg sludge pile region. An experimental magnetic bias X-probe, specially designed by Zetec for inspection of Monel 400 tubing, was deployed and the indication was characterized as a potential out diameter (OD) axially oriented crack. Post-inspection tube pulling and destructive examination confirmed the presence of an Environmentally Assisted Crack (EAC), approximately 80% deep and 13mm long. Due to the significance of this discovery, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) requested AECL to initiate a program for qualification of the X-probe MB 350 for the detection of OD axial cracks in medium to high magnetic permeability μ r Monel 400 PNGS-A and B steam generator tubing at different locations. The X-probe MB 350 subsequently has been deployed as a primary inspection probe for crack detection for PNGS steam generators. (author)

Framatome recent developments and application on site in NDE of steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bieth, M.

1986-01-01

The increasing needs concerning the follow up and expertise of PWR steam generator (SG) tubing have led Framatome to develop a quick on-site intervention mobile unit, which could implement any current technique and equipment. Besides, Framatome has developed several non destructrive examination methods to solve the specific problems encountered in service on the SG tubes: profilometry of the SG tubes by eddy current. Inside and above the tube sheet, eddy current inspection of tube sleeving by ultrasonic testing and eddy current

Nickel electroplating as a remedy to steam generator tubing PWSCC

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Michaut, B.; Steltzlen, F.; Sala, B.; Laire, Ch.; Stubbe, J.

1993-01-01

Nickel plating appears to be a versatile process, as the application field, even if always used against PWSCC, is different from plant-to-plant. Its usage has been from a purely preventive action on tubes without defects, to a corrective action on through-wall cracked and leaking tubes. As a background for the large scale on-site operations of Doel 2 in 1990 (345 tubes) and Tihange 2 in 1992 (600 tubes), studies on four points are outlined, i.e. corrosion tests, stress measurements, sulfamate bath quality control, and in-service inspection. In conclusion, it appears that the nickel plating technique, following a case-by-case study, can often be a convenient remedy against Alloy 600 stress corrosion problems. New applications, in locations other than the steam generator field are under consideration

Evaluation and field validation of Eddy-Current array probes for steam generator tube inspection

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dodd, C.V.; Pate, J.R.

1996-07-01

The objective of the Improved Eddy-Current ISI for Steam Generator Tubing program is to upgrade and validate eddy-current inspections, including probes, instrumentation, and data processing techniques for inservice inspection of new, used, and repaired steam generator tubes; to improve defect detection, classification, and characterization as affected by diameter and thickness variations, denting, probe wobble, tube sheet, tube supports, copper and sludge deposits, even when defect types and other variables occur in combination; to transfer this advanced technology to NRC's mobile NDE laboratory and staff. This report describes the design of specialized high-speed 16-coil eddy-current array probes. Both pancake and reflection coils are considered. Test results from inspections using the probes in working steam generators are given. Computer programs developed for probe calculations are also supplied

Steam generator tube failures: experience with water-cooled nuclear power reactors during 1976

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tatone, O.S.; Pathania, R.S.

1978-02-01

A survey was conducted of experience with steam generator tubes at nuclear power stations during 1976. Failures were reported at 25 out of 68 water-cooled reactors. The causes of these failures and the repair and inspection procedures designed to cope with them are summarized. Examination of the data indicates that corrosion was the major cause of steam generator tube failures. Improvements are needed in steam generator design, condenser integrity and secondary water chemistry control. (author)

Possibilities of the metallurgical base in the manufacture of tubes for nuclear power plant steam generators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Prnka, T.; Walder, V.; Dolenek, J.

Current possibilities are briefly summarized of metallurgy in the manufacture of high-quality tubes for nuclear power plant steam generators, mainly for fast reactor power plants. Discussed are steel making possibilities, semi-finished product and tube forming with special regard to 2.25Cr1MoNiNb steel problems, heat treatment, finishing, and testing. Necessary equipment and technology for the production of steam generator tubes are less common in the existing practice and are demanding on investment; their introduction, however, is inevitable for securing quality production of steam generator tubes. (Kr)

Investigation of reliability of EC method for inspection of VVER steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Corak, Z.

2004-01-01

Complete and accurate non-destructive examinations (NDE) data provides the basis for performing mitigating actions and corrective repairs. It is important that detection and characterization of flaws are done properly at an early stage. EPRI Document PWR Steam Generator Examination Guidelines recommends an approach that is intended to provide the following: Ensure accurate assessment of steam generator tube integrity; Extend the reliable, cost effective, operating life of the steam generators, and Maximize the availability of the unit. Steam Generator Eddy Current Data Analysis Performance Demonstration represents the culmination of the intense two-year industry effort in the development of a performance demonstration program for eddy current testing (ECT) of steam generator tubing. It is referred to as the Industry Database (IDB) and provides a capability for individual organizations to implement SG ECT performance demonstration programs in accordance with the requirements specified in Appendices G and H of the ISI Guidelines. The Appendix G of EPRI Document PWR Steam Generator Examination Guidelines specifies personnel training and qualification requirements for NDE personnel who analyze NDE data for PWR steam generator tubing. Its purpose is to insure a continuing uniform knowledge base and skill level for data analysis. The European methodology document is intended to provide a general framework for development of qualifications for the inspection of specific components to ensure they are developed in a consistent way throughout Europe while still allowing qualification to be tailored in detail to meet different nation requirements. In the European methodology document one will not find a detailed description of how the inspection of a specific component should be qualified. A recommended practice is a document produced by ENIQ to support the production of detailed qualification procedures by individual countries. VVER SG tubes are inspected by EC method but a

Automated analysis technique developed for detection of ODSCC on the tubes of OPR1000 steam generator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, In Chul; Nam, Min Woo

2013-01-01

A steam generator (SG) tube is an important component of a nuclear power plant (NPP). It works as a pressure boundary between the primary and secondary systems. The integrity of a SG tube can be assessed by an eddy current test every outage. The eddy current technique(adopting a bobbin probe) is currently the main technique used to assess the integrity of the tubing of a steam generator. An eddy current signal analyst for steam generator tubes continuously analyzes data over a given period of time. However, there are possibilities that the analyst conducting the test may get tired and cause mistakes, such as: missing indications or not being able to separate a true defect signal from one that is more complicated. This error could lead to confusion and an improper interpretation of the signal analysis. In order to avoid these possibilities, many countries of opted for automated analyses. Axial ODSCC (outside diameter stress corrosion cracking) defects on the tubes of OPR1000 steam generators have been found on the tube that are in contract with tube support plates. In this study, automated analysis software called CDS (computer data screening) made by Zetec was used. This paper will discuss the results of introducing an automated analysis system for an axial ODSCC on the tubes of an OPR1000 steam generator.

Repairing a steam generator tube by inserting a sheath

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gaudin, J.P.

1986-01-01

According to the invention, the mechanical deformation of the sheath, realized by expansion in its end part opposite to the expanded end within the tube plate, is situated along a limited height, and the parameters of the said mechanical deformation are calculated according to the welding parameters applied consecutively. Besides, the said welding parameters are determined according to the initial mechanical deformation to obtain stress relaxation more particularly in the singular zones of the mechanical deformation. The present invention applies to the repair of PWR steam generator tubes [fr

Steam generator operation and maintenance

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lee, C.K.

2004-01-01

Corrosion of steam generator tube has resulted in the need for extensive repair and replacement of steam generators. Over the past two decades, steam generator problems in the United States were viewed to be one of the most significant contributor to lost generation in operating PWR plants. When the SGOG-I (Steam Generator Owners Groups) was formed in early 1977, denting was responsible for almost 90% of the tube plugging. By the end of 1982, this figure was reduced to less than 2%. During the existence of SGOG-II (from 1982 to 1986), IGA/SCC (lntergranular Attack/Stress Corrosion Cracking) in the tube sheet, primary side SCC, pitting, and fretting surfaced as the primary causes of tube degradation. Although significant process has been made with wastage and denting, the utilities experience shows that the percentage of reactors plugging tubes and the percentage of tubes being plugged each year has remained relatively constant. The diversity of the damage mechanisms means that no one solution is likely to resolve all problems. The task of maintaining steam generator integrity continues to be formidable and challenging. As the older problems were brought under control, many new problems emerged. SGOG-II (Steam Generator Owners Group program from 1982 to 1986) has focused on these problem areas such as tube stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and intergranular attack (IGA) in the open tube sheet crevice, primary side tube cracking, pitting in the lower span, and tube fretting in preheated section and anti-vibration bar (AVB) locations. Primary Water Stress Corrosion Cracking (PWSCC) in the tube to tubesheet roll transition has been a wide spread problem in the Recirculation Steam Generators (RSG) during this period. Although significant progress has been made in resolving this problem, considerable work still remains. One typical problem in the Once Through Steam Generator (OTSG) was the tube support plate broached hole fouling which affects the OTSG steam generating

Leak on a steam generator tube: in-depth analysis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Berger, J.; Deotto, G.; Mathon, C.; Madurel, A.; Pitner, P.; Gay, N.; Guivarch, M.

2015-01-01

A circumferential through crack was observed on a steam generator tube of the unit 2 of the Fessenheim plant. Destructive tests showed that the crack was due to cycle fatigue combined with the presence of inter-granular corrosion zones. An in-depth analysis based on simulations shows that the combination of 5 elements caused the crack. First, a specific position of the anti-vibration bar near this tube, secondly, a local presence of fouling, these 2 first elements led to an increase of the tube vibratory level. Thirdly, the 600 MA alloy used is known to be susceptible to corrosion. Fourthly, the trapping of chemical species on the secondary circuit side due to the presence of interstices on the crosspiece and fifthly, the presence of spots where inter-granular corrosion developed. (A.C.)

Optimization of Peripheral Finned-Tube Evaporators Using Entropy Generation Minimization

OpenAIRE

Pussoli, Bruno; Barbosa Jr., Jader; da Silva, Luciana; Kaviany, Massoud

2012-01-01

The peripheral finned-tube (PFT) is a new geometry for enhanced air-side heat transfer under moisture condensate blockage (evaporators). It consists of individual hexagonal (peripheral) fin arrangements with radial fins whose bases are attached to the tubes and tips are interconnected with the peripheral fins. In this paper, experimentally validated semi-empirical models for the air-side heat transfer and pressure drop are combined with the entropy generation minimization theory to determine ...

Ultrasonic inspection of steam generator tubing for cracks, wall thinning and cross-sectional deformation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Meyer, P.A.; Carodiskey, T.J.

1988-01-01

Periodic inspection of steam generator tubing is an important consideration in the efficient operation of a power generating facility. Since the operating life of these generators is finite, failures will occur. Due to the chemistry of the environment, thermal cycling, and other factors, flaws may develop that can cause rapid deterioration of the tubing while the overall performance of the unit may appear normal. In earlier presentation, the authors presented an ultrasonic bore-side array transducer which can be used with a conventional flaw detector instrument for the location of circumferential crack type defects on the outside tube surface. since that time, much additional experience has been gained on the performance of these probes. Probe performance has been characterized using fatigue crack samples and these results are reviewed. Probes have also been developed having 16 elements for use in larger diameter (25 mm) tubes. The bore-side array concept has been expanded to normal incidence tube well inspection allowing simultaneous wall thickness and eccentricity measurement which is very useful in the assessment of tube wastage and deformation. Preliminary data obtained in this area is presented

Pressure loss characteristics of LSTF steam generator heat-transfer tubes. Pressure loss increase due to tube internal instruments

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Suzuki, Mitsuhiro

1994-11-01

The steam generator of the Large-Scale Test Facility (LSTF) includes 141 heat-transfer U-tubes with different lengths. Six U-tubes among them are furnished with 15 or 17 probe-type instruments (conduction probe with a thermocouple; CPT) protuberant into the primary side of the U-tubes. Other 135 U-tubes are not instrumented. This results in different hydraulic conditions between the instrumented and non-instrumented U-tubes with the same length. A series of pressure loss characteristics tests was conducted at a test apparatus simulating both types of U-tube. The following pressure loss coefficient (K CPT ) was reduced as a function of Reynolds number (Re) from these tests under single-phase water flow conditions. K CPT =0.16 5600≤Re≤52820, K CPT =60.66xRe -0.688 2420≤Re≤5600, K CPT =2.664x10 6 Re -2.06 1371≤Re≤2420. The maximum uncertainty is 22%. By using these results, the total pressure loss coefficients of full length U-tubes were estimated. It is clarified that the total pressure loss of the shortest instrumented U-tube is equivalent to that of the middle-length non-instrumented U-tube and also that a middle-length instrumented U-tube is equivalent to the longest non-instrumented U-tube. Concludingly. it is important to take account of the CPT pressure loss mentioned above in estimation of fluid behavior at the non-instrumented U-tubes either by using the LSTF experiment data from the CPT-installed U-tubes or by using any analytical codes. (author)

Evaluation of the inner wall axial cracks of steam generator tubes by eddy current test

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hur, Do Haeng; Choi, Myung Sik; Lee, Doek Hyun; Han, Jung Ho

2001-01-01

For the enhancement of ECT reliability on the primary water stress corrosion cracks of nuclear steam generator tubes, it is important to comprehend the signal characteristics on crack morphology and to select an appropriate probe type. In this paper, the sizing accuracy and the detectability for the inner wall axial cracks of tubes were quantitatively evaluated using the electric discharge machined notches and the corrosion cracks which were developed on the operating steam generator tubes. The difference of eddy current signal characteristics between pancake and axial coil were also investigated. The results obtained from this study provide a useful information for more precise evaluation on the inner wall axial cracks of steam generator tubes.

Evaluation of ECT reliability for axial ODSCC in steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lee, Jae Bong; Park, Jai Hak; Kim, Hong Deok; Chung, Han Sub

2010-01-01

The integrity of steam generator tubes is usually evaluated based on eddy current test (ECT) results. Because detection capacity of the ECT is not perfect, all of the physical flaws, which actually exist in steam generator tubes, cannot be detected by ECT inspection. Therefore it is very important to analyze ECT reliability in the integrity assessment of steam generators. The reliability of an ECT inspection system is divided into reliability of inspection technique and reliability of quality of analyst. And the reliability of ECT results is also divided into reliability of size and reliability of detection. The reliability of ECT sizing is often characterized as a linear regression model relating true flaw size data to measured flaw size data. The reliability of detection is characterized in terms of probability of detection (POD), which is expressed as a function of flaw size. In this paper the reliability of an ECT inspection system is analyzed quantitatively. POD of the ECT inspection system for axial outside diameter stress corrosion cracks (ODSCC) in steam generator tubes is evaluated. Using a log-logistic regression model, POD is evaluated from hit (detection) and miss (no detection) binary data obtained from destructive and non-destructive inspections of cracked tubes. Crack length and crack depth are considered as variables in multivariate log-logistic regression and their effects on detection capacity are assessed using two-dimensional POD (2-D POD) surface. The reliability of detection is also analyzed using POD for inspection technique (POD T ) and POD for analyst (POD A ).

Nickel electroplating of steam generator tubes (kiss sleeving process)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Michaut, B.

1988-01-01

This process, the nickel electroplating of steam generator tubes, has been jointly developed under a Belgatom (Laborelec) and Framatome agreement with shared experience gained by both companies, industrial applications being under the responsibility of Framatome. Application of the coating in zones where residual stresses or cracks are present prevents contact between the primary water and the tube, which stops the stress corrosion process. In the Doel 2 plant, 91 tubes have been plated since 1985, and different sets of parameters have been used for comparison purposes. Among these tubes, 9 have been preventively plugged because of defective plating, 9 have been pulled out for laboratory examinations, 2 just after plating and 7 after 1 or 2 yr of service. There are 73 plated tubes still in service. From the tests that were performed, it was possible to select an optimized set of parameters guaranteeing the following properties: bridging of existing cracks and good behavior of the coating in relevant zones, good adhesion to the Inconel tube, high ductility, low residual stresses, thermal shock resistance, corrosion resistance, erosion resistance, and low cobalt content. The licensability of this process is being completed. It is based first on the leak-before-break concept to determine the characteristics of the nickel plating, thickness in particular, and second on the inspectability of ultrasonic testing methods

Resistance of Incoloy 800 steam generator tube to pitting corrosion in PWR secondary water at 250°C

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Schvartzman, Mônica M.A.M.; Albuquerque, Adriana Silva de; Esteves, Luiza; Rabello, Emerson G.; Mansur, Fábio Abud

2017-01-01

The steam generator (SG) is one of the main components of a PWR, so the performance of this type of nuclear power plant depends to a large extent on the trouble-free operation of SGs. Its degradation significantly affects the overall plant performance. Alloy 800NG (Incoloy® 800) is a nickel-iron-chromium alloy used for steam generator tubes in PWRs due to their high strength, good workability and resistance to corrosion. This behavior is attributed to the protective oxide film formed on the metal surface by contact with the high temperature pressurized water. However, chloride is one of major SG impurities that cause the breakdown of the passive film and initiate localized corrosion in passive metals as Alloy 800NG. The aim of this study is to provide information about the pitting corrosion behavior of the Incoloy® 800 steam generator tube under normal secondary circuit parameters (250 deg C and 5 MPa) and abnormal conditions of operation (presence of chloride ions in the secondary water). For this, optical microscopy, XRD and EDS analysis and electrochemical tests have been carried out under simulated PWR secondary water operating conditions. The susceptibility to pitting corrosion was evaluated using electrochemical tests and the oxide layer formed on material was examined by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) analyses. (author)

Resistance of Incoloy 800 steam generator tube to pitting corrosion in PWR secondary water at 250°C

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Schvartzman, Mônica M.A.M. [Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais (PUC-Minas), Belo Horizonte, MG (Brazil); Albuquerque, Adriana Silva de; Esteves, Luiza; Rabello, Emerson G.; Mansur, Fábio Abud, E-mail: monicacdtn@gmail.com, E-mail: asa@cdtn.br, E-mail: luiza.esteves@cdtn.br, E-mail: egr@cdtn.br, E-mail: fametalurgica@gmail.com [Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear (CDTN/CNEN-MG), Belo Horizonte, MG (Brazil)

2017-07-01

The steam generator (SG) is one of the main components of a PWR, so the performance of this type of nuclear power plant depends to a large extent on the trouble-free operation of SGs. Its degradation significantly affects the overall plant performance. Alloy 800NG (Incoloy® 800) is a nickel-iron-chromium alloy used for steam generator tubes in PWRs due to their high strength, good workability and resistance to corrosion. This behavior is attributed to the protective oxide film formed on the metal surface by contact with the high temperature pressurized water. However, chloride is one of major SG impurities that cause the breakdown of the passive film and initiate localized corrosion in passive metals as Alloy 800NG. The aim of this study is to provide information about the pitting corrosion behavior of the Incoloy® 800 steam generator tube under normal secondary circuit parameters (250 deg C and 5 MPa) and abnormal conditions of operation (presence of chloride ions in the secondary water). For this, optical microscopy, XRD and EDS analysis and electrochemical tests have been carried out under simulated PWR secondary water operating conditions. The susceptibility to pitting corrosion was evaluated using electrochemical tests and the oxide layer formed on material was examined by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) analyses. (author)

Steam generator operating experience: Update for 1984-1986

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Frank, L.; Stokley, J.

1988-06-01

This report summarizes operational events and degradation mechanisms affecting pressurized water reactor steam generator integrity, provides updated inspection results reported in 1984, 1985, and 1986, and highlights both prevalent problem areas and advances in improved equipment test practices, preventive measures, repair techniques, and replacement procedures. It describes equipment design features of the three major suppliers and discusses 68 plants in detail. Steam generator degradation mechanisms include intergranular stress corrosion cracking, primary water stress corrosion cracking, pitting, intergranular attack, and vibration wear that effects tube integrity and causes leakage. Plugging, sleeving heat treatment, peening, chemical cleaning, and steam generator replacements are described and regulatory instruments and inspection guidelines for nondestructive evaluations and girth weld cracking are discusses. The report concludes that although degradation mechanisms are generally understood, the elimination of unscheduled plant shutdowns and costly repairs resulting from leaking tubes has not been achieved. Highlights of steam generator research and unresolved safety issues are discussed. 21 refs., 8 tabs

Predicted wear on the tube outside surface due to foreign object in the secondary side of steam generator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Hyung Nam; Cho, Nam Cheoul

2012-01-01

It is necessary to evaluate the effects of foreign objects on steam generator tubes and to use this information to take appropriate safety precautions to prevent nuclear accidents. Foreign objects may include loose parts from the feed water system and items lost by workers during o/h, and may flow into the secondary side of steam generators during operation. A foreign object could damage steam generator tube walls if there is relative motion between the tube and the foreign object. This is especially true for foreign objects that land on the tube sheet because the velocity of cross flow, which creates a contact force between the tube and foreign object, is relatively high there. During steam generator overhauls, foreign objects are detected by non destructive methods such as the visual test and/or the eddy current test. Confirmed foreign objects should be removed for nuclear safety. The Foreign Object Search and Retrieval System (FOSAR) can be used to remove foreign objects from the steam generators with a square tube array. However, the FOSAR cannot be used (or can be used in only a very restricted area, such as the outside of the tube bundle) in the steam generators with a triangular tube array. In order to continue nuclear power plant operations without removing foreign objects, the integrity of the steam generator tube must be verified. This paper introduces a practical method developed to evaluate the effects of foreign objects detected on tube sheets in the secondary sides of steam generators

Steam generator tubes rupture probability estimation - study of the axially cracked tube case

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mavko, B.; Cizelj, L.; Roussel, G.

1992-01-01

The objective of the present study is to estimate the probability of a steam generator tube rupture due to the unstable propagation of axial through-wall cracks during a hypothetical accident. For this purpose the probabilistic fracture mechanics model was developed taking into account statistical distributions of influencing parameters. A numerical example considering a typical steam generator seriously affected by axial stress corrosion cracking in the roll transition area, is presented; it indicates the change of rupture probability with different assumptions focusing mostly on tubesheet reinforcing factor, crack propagation rate and crack detection probability. 8 refs., 4 figs., 4 tabs

Apparatus for inspecting and repairing a pressurized-water reactor's steam generator heat exchanger tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mueller, O.; Roettger, H.; Kasti, H.; Hagen, H.G.

1976-01-01

Described is an apparatus provided for use with a pressurized-water reactor' steam generator having a manifold chamber enclosing the bottom side of a horizontal tube sheet having holes therethrough in which are mounted the tubes of a heat exchanger tube bundle. The manifold chamber has a manhole giving access to the tube's bottom side to permit internal inspection or repair of the tubes by registration of an end of a flexible guide conduit with the tube sheet holes and through which a flexible carrier can be guided for insertion via these holes in the tube sheet and through the tubes extending from the tube sheet's other side

Development of a helical-coil double wall tube steam generator for 4S reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kitajima, Yuko; Maruyama, Shigeki; Jimbo, Noboru; Hino, Takehisa; Sato, Katsuhiko

2011-01-01

The 4S, Super-Safe Small and Simple, is a small-sized sodium-cooled fast reactor. A fast reactor usually uses sodium as a coolant to transfer heat from core to turbine/generator system. The heat of the intermediate heat transport system and that of the water stream systems are exchanged by the steam generator (SG) tubes. If the tube failure occurs, a sodium/water reaction could be occurred. To prevent the reaction and enhance safety, a helical-coil-type double wall tube with wire mesh interlayer and continuous monitoring systems of tube failure are applied to the SG of the 4S. The development and general features of this type double wall tube were described in Ref. 1) and Ref. 2). Those paper summarized following results; The tubes studied in these references were straight type. To establish this SG, development of manufacturing method of helical-coil-type double wall tube and validation of the tube failure monitoring system are needed. In this study, three demonstration tests have been performed; welding test of the double wall tube to manufacture the tubes with 70-80m length, assembling test of the helical-coil tube, and confirmation test of the tube processing system using the fabricated helical-coil tubes. As a result, following technologies have been successfully established. (1) Development of the welding techniques for manufacturing of the helical-coil-type double wall tube with wire mesh interlayer. (2) The confirmation test for manufacturing the helical coil tube of the SG. (author)

Determination of thermal characteristics of combustion products of fire-tube heat generator with flow turbulator

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Lukjanov Alexander V.

2014-12-01

Full Text Available Boiler construction is one of the major industries of any state. The aim is to determine the effect of the turbulator on the intensity of heat transfer in the convective part of the fire-tube heat generator of domestic production. The improvement of convective heating surfaces is one of the ways to increase the energy efficiency of the fire-tube heat generator. Since model of the process of heat transfer of gas flow in the convective tubes is multifactorial and does not have clear analytical solution at present, the study of process above is carried out using the experimental method. The results of applying the flow turbulator as a broken tape in the fire-tube heat generator of KV-GM type are presented. On their basis it can be concluded about increasing of heat transfer in convective part of the unit. The use of efficient, reliable, easy to manufacture, relatively inexpensive turbulator in domestic fire-tube heat generators will allow to increase their energy conversion efficiency and reduce fuel consumption, which will have a positive economic effect.

Susceptibility of CANDU steam generator preheater to cavitation erosion

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Laroche, S.L.; Sun, L.; Pietralik, J.M.

2012-01-01

In 2009, Darlington Steam Generator (SG) tube inspections revealed some tubes had degraded in the preheater. The tube degradation occurred at the clearance gap between the tube and the preheater baffle and reached up to 50% through-wall depth at the baffles in the middle portion of the preheater. The general pattern of the damage and the elemental composition analysis suggested that the degradation was the result of a hydrodynamic process, such as cavitation erosion. Cavitation erosion occurs when vapour bubbles exist or form in the flowing liquid and then these bubbles collapse violently in the vicinity of the wall. These bubbles collapse when steam bubbles contact water that is sufficiently subcooled, below the saturation temperature. In the gap between the tube and the preheater baffle, low flow will exist due to the pressure difference across the baffle plate. In addition, heat transfer occurs from the primary-side fluid to the secondary-side fluid within this clearance gap that is driven by the primary-to-secondary temperature difference. Factors, such as the tube position in the baffle hole and fouling, influence the local conditions and can cause subcooled boiling that result in cavitation. This paper presents a study of flow and heat transfer phenomena to determine the factors contributing to cavitation erosion in SG preheaters. The analysis used the THIRST1 code for a 3-dimensional thermalhydraulic simulation of the steam generators and the ANSYS FLUENT®2 code for detailed calculations of flow and heat transfer in the clearance gaps. This study identifies that tubes in the preheater region are susceptible to cavitation erosion and indicates that this area should be part of the station inspection program because, regardless of preheater design, some tubes may experience the thermalhydraulic conditions and undergo degradations similar to those observed for the tubes in Darlington SGs. (author)

Development of the visual inspection system for the top of the tube sheet in steam generators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Gyung Sub; Choi, Sang Hoon; Kim, Ki Chul

2008-01-01

Steam Generators at Nuclear Power plants have a important function to isolate Radioactivity between the primary side radioactive fluid running through tubes and the secondary side with non-radioactive fluid through out of a tube bundle, in addition to a function of steam generation. Therefore, To obtain integrity of Steam Generator is really important for safety in the nuclear power plant. At the same time, sludge and foreign objects in steam generators are known as major sources causing the damage of SG tubes. But there is no way to prevent those coming to steam generators until now. Therefore, a periodic inspection and removal of those in steam generators is the only way for those Generally, Most of the Nuclear Power Plants have been inspecting visually every outage for the top of the tube sheet in which sludge and foreign objects lead to the buildup to know how these are

Evaluation of Eddy Current Signals from the Inner Wall Axial Cracks of Steam Generator Tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Choi, Myung Sik; Hur, Do Haeng; Lee, Doek Hyun; Han, Jung Ho; Park, Jung Am

2001-01-01

For the enhancement of ECT reliability on the primary water stress corrosion cracks of nuclear steam generator tubes, of which the occurrence is on the increase, it is important to comprehend the signal characteristics on crack morphology and to select an appropriate probe type. In this paper, the sizing accuracy and the detectability for the inner wall axial cracks of tubes were quantitatively evaluated using the following specimens: the electric discharge machined notches and the corrosion cracks which were developed on the operating steam generator tubes. The difference of eddy current signal characteristics between pancake and axial coil were also Investigated. The results obtained from this study provide a useful information for more precise evaluation on the inner wall axial tracks oi steam generator tubes

Repair boundary for parent tube indications within the upper joint zone of hybrid expansion joint (HEJ) sleeved tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cullen, W.K.; Keating, R.F.

1997-01-01

In the Spring and Fall of 1994, and the Spring of 1995, crack-like indications were found in the upper hybrid expansion joint (HEJ) region of Steam Generator (S/G) tubes which had been sleeved using Westinghouse HEJ sleeves. As a result of these findings, analytic and test evaluations were performed to assess the effect of the degradation on the structural, and leakage, integrity of the sleeve/tube joint relative to the requirements of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) draft Regulatory Guide (RG) 1.121. The results of these evaluations demonstrated that tubes with implied or known crack-like circumferential parent tube indications (PTIs) located 1.1 inches or farther below the bottom of the hardroll upper transition, have sufficient, and significant, integrity relative to the requirements of RG 1.121. Thus, the purpose of this report is to provide background information related to the justification of the modified tube repair boundary

Ultrasonic inspection experience of steam generator tubes at Ontario Hydro and the TRUSTIE inspection system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Choi, E.I.; Jansen, D.

1998-01-01

Ontario Hydro have been using ultrasonic test (UT) technique to inspect steam generator (SG) tubes since 1993. The UT technique has higher sensitivity in detecting flaws in SG tubes and can characterize the flaws with higher accuracy. Although an outside contractor was used initially, Ontario Hydro has been using a self-developed system since 1995. The TRUSTIE system (Tiny Rotating UltraSonic Tube Inspection Equipment) was developed by Ontario Hydro Technologies specifically for 12.7 mm outside diameter (OD) tubes, and later expanded to larger tubes. To date TRUSTIE has been used in all of Ontario Hydro's nuclear generating stations inspecting for flaws such as pitting, denting, and cracks at top-of-tubesheet to the U-bend region. (author)

Risk assessment of severe accident-induced steam generator tube rupture

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1998-03-01

This report describes the basis, results, and related risk implications of an analysis performed by an ad hoc working group of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to assess the containment bypass potential attributable to steam generator tube rupture (SGTR) induced by severe accident conditions. The SGTR Severe Accident Working Group, comprised of staff members from the NRC's Offices of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) and Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES), undertook the analysis beginning in December 1995 to support a proposed steam generator integrity rule. The work drew upon previous risk and thermal-hydraulic analyses of core damage sequences, with a focus on the Surry plant as a representative example. This analysis yielded new results, however, derived by predicting thermal-hydraulic conditions of selected severe accident scenarios using the SCDAP/RELAP5 computer code, flawed tube failure modeling, and tube failure probability estimates. These results, in terms of containment bypass probability, form the basis for the findings presented in this report. The representative calculation using Surry plant data indicates that some existing plants could be vulnerable to containment bypass resulting from tube failure during severe accidents. To specifically identify the population of plants that may pose a significant bypass risk would require more definitive analysis considering uncertainties in some assumptions and plant- and design-specific variables. 46 refs., 62 figs., 37 tabs

Tube Plugging Criterion for the TPCCW Heat Exchanger of Yonggwang NPP 1 and 2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Hyung Nam; Yoo, Hyun Ju; Choi, Sung Nam; Song, Seok Yoon

2009-01-01

The turbine plant component cooling water(TPCCW) system circulates the cooling water to cool the components in the turbine building and discharges the heat from the components through the TPCCW heat exchanger. Recently, Yonggwang NPP 1 and 2 replaced the TPCCW heat exchanger because of tube degradation. The tubing material of new TPCCW heat exchanger of Yonggwang NPP 1 and 2 is titanium. If the tube wall cannot withstand the pressure, the cooling water with the chemicals flows into the tube side and it is discharged to the open water. The chemicals can pollute the open water. Therefore, the tubes of the TPCCW heat exchanger should be inspected and degraded tubes should be plugged. It is inevitable for the materials of the components to be degraded as the power plants become older. The degradation accompanies increasing maintenance cost as well as creating safety issues. The materials and wall thickness of heat exchanger tubes in nuclear power plants are selected to withstand system temperature, pressure, and corrosion. However, tubes have experienced leaks and failures and plugged based upon eddy current testing (ET) results. There are some problems for plugging the heat exchanger tubes since the criterion and its basis are not clearly described. For this reason, the criteria for the tube wall thickness are addressed in order to operate the heat exchangers in nuclear power plant without trouble during the cycle. There are many codes and standards to be referred for calculating the minimum thickness of the heat exchanger tube in the designing stage. However, the codes and standards related to show the tube plugging criteria may not exist currently. In this paper, a method to establish the tube plugging criteria of BOP heat exchangers, which is based on the USNRC Regulatory Guide 1.121, is introduced and the tube plugging criteria for the TPCCW heat exchanger of Yonggwang NPP No. 1 and 2. This method relies on the similar plugging criteria used in the steam generator

Tube Plugging Criterion for the TPCCW Heat Exchanger of Yonggwang NPP 1 and 2

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kim, Hyung Nam; Yoo, Hyun Ju; Choi, Sung Nam; Song, Seok Yoon [Korea Electric Power Research Institute, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)

2009-05-15

The turbine plant component cooling water(TPCCW) system circulates the cooling water to cool the components in the turbine building and discharges the heat from the components through the TPCCW heat exchanger. Recently, Yonggwang NPP 1 and 2 replaced the TPCCW heat exchanger because of tube degradation. The tubing material of new TPCCW heat exchanger of Yonggwang NPP 1 and 2 is titanium. If the tube wall cannot withstand the pressure, the cooling water with the chemicals flows into the tube side and it is discharged to the open water. The chemicals can pollute the open water. Therefore, the tubes of the TPCCW heat exchanger should be inspected and degraded tubes should be plugged. It is inevitable for the materials of the components to be degraded as the power plants become older. The degradation accompanies increasing maintenance cost as well as creating safety issues. The materials and wall thickness of heat exchanger tubes in nuclear power plants are selected to withstand system temperature, pressure, and corrosion. However, tubes have experienced leaks and failures and plugged based upon eddy current testing (ET) results. There are some problems for plugging the heat exchanger tubes since the criterion and its basis are not clearly described. For this reason, the criteria for the tube wall thickness are addressed in order to operate the heat exchangers in nuclear power plant without trouble during the cycle. There are many codes and standards to be referred for calculating the minimum thickness of the heat exchanger tube in the designing stage. However, the codes and standards related to show the tube plugging criteria may not exist currently. In this paper, a method to establish the tube plugging criteria of BOP heat exchangers, which is based on the USNRC Regulatory Guide 1.121, is introduced and the tube plugging criteria for the TPCCW heat exchanger of Yonggwang NPP No. 1 and 2. This method relies on the similar plugging criteria used in the steam generator

Analysis of steam generator tube rupture as a severe accident using MELCOR 1.8.4

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yang Hongrun; Hidaka, Akihide; Sugimoto, Jun

1999-03-01

This report presents the results from the MELCOR 1.8.4 calculations for Steam Generator Tube Rupture (SGTR) with stuck open of all the safety valves in faulted SG as a severe accident. The calculations are based on Surry nuclear power plant. After performed using the once-through primary system model alone by 1.0x10 5 s, the calculations were conducted with both of the once-through and the hot leg countercurrent natural circulation models. The results, including event sequences, processes and progressions of core degradation, radionuclides release from core and reactor cavity, and source terms to the environment are described in detail. It is concluded that the availability of High Pressure Safety Injection (HPSI) can significantly delay the progression of core heat-up and approximately 7% of cesium iodide (CsI) can be released to the environment directly through the stuck open safety valve. Comparisons between the results from the two models are also given in this report. The present analyses also showed that during SGTR accident, the hot leg countercurrent natural circulation flow cannot be established well and therefore it has little effect on the mitigation of the core degradation. (author)

Limits to the Recognizability of Flaws in Non-Destructive Testing Steam-Generator Tubes for Nuclear-Power Plants

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kuhlmann, A.; Adamsky, F.-J.

1965-01-01

In the Federal Republic of Germany there are nuclear reactors under construction with steam generators inside the reactor pressure-vessel. As a result design repairs of steam- generator tubes are very difficult and cause large shut-down times of the nuclear-power plant. It is known that numerous troubles in operating conventional power plants are results of steam-generator tube damages. Because of the high total costs of these reactors it. is necessary to construct the steam generators especially in such a manner that the load factor of the power plant is as high as possible. The Technischer Überwachungs-Verein Rheinland was charged to supervise and to test fabrication and construction of the steam generators to see that this part of the plant was as free of defects as possible. The experience gained during this work is of interest for manufacture and construction of steam generators for nuclear-power plants in general. This paper deals with the efficiency limits of non-destructive testing steam-generator tubes. The following tests performed will be discussed in detail: (a) Automatic ultrasonic testing of the straight tubes in the production facility; (b) Combined ultrasonic and radiographic testing of the bent tubes and tube weldings; (c) Other non-destructive tests. (author) [fr

Microbial electricity generation enhances decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209 degradation.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Yonggang Yang

Full Text Available Due to environmental persistence and biotoxicity of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs, it is urgent to develop potential technologies to remediate PBDEs. Introducing electrodes for microbial electricity generation to stimulate the anaerobic degradation of organic pollutants is highly promising for bioremediation. However, it is still not clear whether the degradation of PBDEs could be promoted by this strategy. In this study, we hypothesized that the degradation of PBDEs (e.g., BDE-209 would be enhanced under microbial electricity generation condition. The functional compositions and structures of microbial communities in closed-circuit microbial fuel cell (c-MFC and open-circuit microbial fuel cell (o-MFC systems for BDE-209 degradation were detected by a comprehensive functional gene array, GeoChip 4.0, and linked with PBDE degradations. The results indicated that distinctly different microbial community structures were formed between c-MFCs and o-MFCs, and that lower concentrations of BDE-209 and the resulting lower brominated PBDE products were detected in c-MFCs after 70-day performance. The diversity and abundance of a variety of functional genes in c-MFCs were significantly higher than those in o-MFCs. Most genes involved in chlorinated solvent reductive dechlorination, hydroxylation, methoxylation and aromatic hydrocarbon degradation were highly enriched in c-MFCs and significantly positively correlated with the removal of PBDEs. Various other microbial functional genes for carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur cycling, as well as energy transformation process, were also significantly increased in c-MFCs. Together, these results suggest that PBDE degradation could be enhanced by introducing the electrodes for microbial electricity generation and by specifically stimulating microbial functional genes.

Evaluation of reliability of EC inspection of VVER SG tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stanic, D.

2001-01-01

Evaluation of eddy current data collected during inspection of VVER steam generators is very complex task because of numerous parameters which have affect on eddy current signals. That was the reason that recently ago INETEC has started related scientific project in order to evaluate the reliability of eddy current (EC) inspection of VVER steam generator (SG) tubing. In the scope of project the following objectives will be investigated: 1. Determination of POD (Probability of detection) of various types degradation cracks, where their basic parameters are variables (basic parameters are depth, length, width, orientation, number) on three different sets of tubes (clean ideal tubes, tubes with pilgering, tubes electroplated with copper) 2. Sizing quality (accuracy, repeatability) (same data sets as defined in 1.) 3. Effect of fill factor on POD and sizing quality. 4. Effect of tube bends on POD and sizing quality. 5. Effect of other tube geometry variations on POD and sizing quality (tube ovality, transition zone region, expanded (rolled) part of tube, dents, dings). Investigation will start with bobbin probe technique which is the most used technique for general purpose VVER tube examination. Since INETEC is the only world company which successfully developed and applied rotating probe technique for VVER SG tubes, scope of the project will be extended on rotating probe technique utilizing 'pancake' and 'point' coil. Method reliability will be investigated first on the huge set of EDM notches representing various defect morphologies and simulating different factors, and the second part will be investigated on sets of degradation defects obtained by artificial corrosion. In the scope of the project the measures for enhancing the method reliability have to be determined. This considers the proper definition of parameters of examination system, as well as establishment of the suitable analysis procedures. This article presents the temporary results of the first part of

Stability of single-phase natural circulation with inverted U-tube steam generators

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sanders, J.

1988-08-01

For natural circulation it is shown that parallel flow in the tubes of an inverted U-tube stream generator can be, at certain power levels, unstable. A mathematical model, based on one-dimensional Oberbeck-Boussinesq equations, shows that stability can be attained if in some tubes the water flows backward, opposite to the normal flow direction. The results are compared to measurements obtained from the natural circulation test A2-77A in the LOBI-MOD2 integral system test facility.

Probe for detection of denting in PWR steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gerardin, J.P.; Germain, J.L.; Nio, J.C.

1994-07-01

In certain types of PWR steam generator, oxide deposits can lead to embedding, and subsequently to deformation of a tube (the phenomenon of ''denting''). Such embedding changes the vibratory behavior of the tubes and can result in fatigue cracking. This type of cracking can also be worsened in the event of improper assembly of the anti-vibration spacer bars supporting the U-bends. To prevent such incidents and provide for effective preventive condition-directed maintenance of its PWR steam generators, EDF has undertaken the study and development of a probe to detect this type of phenomenon. The studies began in 1990 and led to the building of an initial prototype probe. The principle behind the probe consists in inducing vibration in the U-bend and determining the main resonance modes of the tube. Measurements of frequency and amplitude and calculation of damping enable characterization of the mechanical behavior of the U-bend. The most important parameter is damping, for which the value must be sufficiently high to ensure that the tube is not subjected to major vibratory amplitudes during operation. Numerous tests have been performed with the first prototype version of the probe, on a mock-up in the test area and on one of the demounted steam generators on the Dampierre site. These different tests have enabled validation of the operating principle, fine-tuning the process, pinpointing certain mechanical problems in the probe design, and obtaining the first indications as to the real vibratory behavior of U-bends on a steam generator. On the basis of these preliminary tests, the specifications were drawn up for an industrial version of the probe. Following a call for bids and the choice of a manufacturer, work began on fabrication of a new probe model in 1993. This version was delivered at the end of 1993 and testing began in 1994. (authors). 5 figs., 2 tabs

Ultrasonic inspection of steam-generator tube axial cracking using Lamb wave

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Park, Jae Seok

2007-02-01

In this study, the interaction of Lamb wave propagating thin tube structure with finite vertical discontinuity was studied using both modal decomposition method (MDM) and experimental method. For MDM, a global matrix formulation and orthogonality of Lamb mode was employed to describe the boundary condition of finite vertical discontinuity of the tube and the mode conversion phenomenon respectively. The final form of governing equation by MDM was a linear matrix equation which could be solved using a simple matrix identity. The calculation result showed that, below the cut-off frequency, reflection amplitudes of both A0 and S0 Lamb mode increase as the depth of discontinuity increased beyond the threshold value. An experimental investigation was performed using a Hertzian-contact transducer and steam-generator tubes to verify the calculation results by MDM. A0 Lamb mode was selected as a test signal considering the characteristics of the transducer and previous studies. The experiment for mode identification using half-sectioned tube verified that the Hertzian-contact transducer effectively generated A0 Lamb mode. Tests performed using steam-generator tubes with EDM (electric discharge machined) axial notches showed that the deeper notches produced the higher reflection echo. A0 Lamb mode interacted with the notch having a depth larger than 1/40 of wave length, or corresponding to 30% of the wall thickness. This finding was in good agreement with previous studies and the prediction by MDM. The experiment using real crack specimens to estimate the deviation of reflection amplitude showed that the reflection cross-section of real crack was very similar with that of EDM notch. Therefore, specimens with EDM notches can be used as reference blocks for Lamb wave UT calibration

Laminar fluid flow and heat transfer in a fin-tube heat exchanger with vortex generators

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yanagihara, J.I.; Rodriques, R. Jr. [Polytechnic School of Univ. of Sao Paolo, Sao Paolo (Brazil). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

1996-12-31

Development of heat transfer enhancement techniques for fin-tube heat exchangers has great importance in industry. In recent years, heat transfer augmentation by vortex generators has been considered for use in plate fin-tube heat exchangers. The present work describes a numerical investigation about the influence of delta winglet pairs of vortex generators on the flow structure and heat transfer of a plate fin-tube channel. The Navier-Stokes and Energy equations are solved by the finite volume method using a boundary-fitted coordinate system. The influence of vortex generators parameters such as position, angle of attack and aspect ratio were investigated. Local and global influences of vortex generators in heat transfer and flow losses were analyzed by comparison with a model using smooth fin. The results indicate great advantages of this type of geometry for application in plate fin-tube heat exchangers, in terms of large heat transfer enhancement and small pressure loss penalty. (author)

Laminar fluid flow and heat transfer in a fin-tube heat exchanger with vortex generators

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yanagihara, J I; Rodriques, R Jr [Polytechnic School of Univ. of Sao Paolo, Sao Paolo (Brazil). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

1997-12-31

Development of heat transfer enhancement techniques for fin-tube heat exchangers has great importance in industry. In recent years, heat transfer augmentation by vortex generators has been considered for use in plate fin-tube heat exchangers. The present work describes a numerical investigation about the influence of delta winglet pairs of vortex generators on the flow structure and heat transfer of a plate fin-tube channel. The Navier-Stokes and Energy equations are solved by the finite volume method using a boundary-fitted coordinate system. The influence of vortex generators parameters such as position, angle of attack and aspect ratio were investigated. Local and global influences of vortex generators in heat transfer and flow losses were analyzed by comparison with a model using smooth fin. The results indicate great advantages of this type of geometry for application in plate fin-tube heat exchangers, in terms of large heat transfer enhancement and small pressure loss penalty. (author)

Boiler tube failure prevention in fossil fired boilers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Townsend, R.D.

1993-01-01

It is the common experience of power generating companies worldwide that the main causes of forced outages on power plant are those due to boiler tube failures on fossil units. The main reason for the large number of failures are the severe environmental conditions in fossil boilers as the effects of stress, temperature, temperature gradients, corrosion, erosion and vibration combine to produce degradation of the tube steel. Corrosion by oxidation, by combustion products and by impure boiler water can significantly reduce the tube wall thickness and result in failure of a tube many years before its designed service life. Errors can also occur in the design manufacturer, storage, operation, and maintenance of boiler tubing and the wrong material installed in a critical location can lead to premature failure. Altogether, experts in the US and UK, from many different disciplines, have identified seven broad categories of boiler tube failure mechanisms. 1 tab., 2 figs

Repair of steam generator heating tubes by roll-expanded plugs: approach to cover multiple national regulations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Beck, J.; Ziegler, B.; Schoenheit, N. [AREVA NP Gmbh, Erlangen (Germany); Kostroun, F. [AREVA NP Canada Ltd., Pickering, ON (Canada)

2012-07-01

During operation, steam generators in nuclear power plants are subject to degradation mechanisms which have an impact on the component life-time. Most affected are the heating tubes which constitute the barrier of the contaminated primary cycle to the secondary side. Various corrosive attacks may cause wall thinning which requires tube repair. A common repair method is to plug the tubes by roll expanded plugs. This is a fast method, easily applicable and requires less equipment or personnel qualification as needed for weld plugs. After insertion, the plugs act as a pressure boundary from primary to secondary side. Although the function of the roll plug is simple, the different national regulations define the requirements which need to be fulfilled by a roll plug differently. In order to reduce the tooling as well as the plug types to a minimum, an approach according to one common design for different regulations and steam generator types is profitable. It was found, that the regulations according to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel code in combination with the German Safety Standards of the German Nuclear Safety Standards Commission covers the regulations of the majority of utilities. To develop a roll plug which suits the different regulatory demands, efforts were made to consider all technical and regulatory boundary conditions implied on roll expanded plugs. This covering approach had an impact on the plug design, which was required to be Helium tight after installation and suitable for a 40 year component lifetime also in accident and emergency conditions. To prove the suitability of the plug design a comprehensive testing programme of the mechanical and chemical properties of the designed roll-expanded plug was launched. A summary of the plug design and testing as well as the main test results are described. (author)

Repair of steam generator heating tubes by roll-expanded plugs: approach to cover multiple national regulations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Beck, J.; Ziegler, B.; Schoenheit, N.; Kostroun, F.

2012-01-01

During operation, steam generators in nuclear power plants are subject to degradation mechanisms which have an impact on the component life-time. Most affected are the heating tubes which constitute the barrier of the contaminated primary cycle to the secondary side. Various corrosive attacks may cause wall thinning which requires tube repair. A common repair method is to plug the tubes by roll expanded plugs. This is a fast method, easily applicable and requires less equipment or personnel qualification as needed for weld plugs. After insertion, the plugs act as a pressure boundary from primary to secondary side. Although the function of the roll plug is simple, the different national regulations define the requirements which need to be fulfilled by a roll plug differently. In order to reduce the tooling as well as the plug types to a minimum, an approach according to one common design for different regulations and steam generator types is profitable. It was found, that the regulations according to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel code in combination with the German Safety Standards of the German Nuclear Safety Standards Commission covers the regulations of the majority of utilities. To develop a roll plug which suits the different regulatory demands, efforts were made to consider all technical and regulatory boundary conditions implied on roll expanded plugs. This covering approach had an impact on the plug design, which was required to be Helium tight after installation and suitable for a 40 year component lifetime also in accident and emergency conditions. To prove the suitability of the plug design a comprehensive testing programme of the mechanical and chemical properties of the designed roll-expanded plug was launched. A summary of the plug design and testing as well as the main test results are described. (author)

Development of Evaluation Technology for Detection of Axial Crack at Eggcrate Intersection of Steam Generator Tube

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Choi, Myung Sik; Hur, Do Haeng; Kim, Kyung Mo; Han, Jung Ho; Lee, Deok Hyun; Song, Myung Ho

2011-01-01

The occurrence of outer diameter (OD) axial stress corrosion crack at egg crate intersection of steam generator tube in operating power plant is inspected primarily by the eddy current test using bobbin coil probe. Therefore, the characteristics of the bobbin coil signal from the axial crack at egg crate intersection of steam generator tube should be understood for the accurate and earlier detection of the crack. In this study, the mockup assembly simulating the steam generator tube with OD axial stress corrosion crack and tube support egg crate was manufactured, and the characteristics of bobbin coil eddy current signal was examined in order to extract the improved evaluation technique for the detection of the crack

Hideout of sea water impurities in steam generator tube deposits: laboratory and field studies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Balakrishnan, P.V.; Turner, C.W.; Thompson, R.; Sawochka, S.

1996-01-01

Sea water impurities hide out within thin (∼10 μm) deposits on steam generator tubes, as demonstrated by both laboratory studies using segments of fouled steam generator tubes pulled in 1992 from Crystal River-3 nuclear power station and field hideout return studies performed during recent plant shutdowns. Laboratory tests performed at 279 o C (534 o F) and heat fluxes ranging from 35 to 114 kW/m 2 (11,100 - 36,150 Btu/h.ft 2 ), conditions typical of the lower tubesheet to the first support plate region of a once-through steam generator, showed that impurity hideout can occur in thin free-span tube deposits. The extent of hideout increased with increasing heat flux. Soluble species, such as sodium and chloride ions, returned promptly to the bulk water from the deposits when the heat flux was turned off, whereas less soluble species, such as calcium sulfate and magnesium hydroxide, returned more slowly. Recent field hideout return studies performed at Crystal River-3 where the water level in the steam generators was maintained below the first tube support plate during the shutdown, thus wetting only the thin deposits in the free span and the small sludge pile, corroborate the laboratory findings, showing that hideout does indeed occur in the free-span regions of the tubes. These findings suggest that hideout within tube deposits has to be accounted for in the calculation of crevice chemistry from hideout return studies and in controlling the bulk chemistry using the molar ratio criterion. (author). 3 refs., 4 tabs., 3 figs

Study of tritium permeation through Peach Bottom Steam Generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yang, L.; Baugh, W.A.; Baldwin, N.L.

1977-06-01

The report describes the equipment developed, samples tested, procedures used, and results obtained in the tritium permeation tests conducted on steam generator tubing samples which were removed from the Peach Bottom Unit No. 1 reactor

Steady-state heat transfer in an inverted U-tube steam generator