Parametric Study on Determining Optimal Eddy Current Testing Method for Inspection of Steam Generator Tubes in SMART Plant

Author(s):  
Dae-Kwang Kim ◽  
Sung-Jin Han ◽  
Hak-Joon Kim ◽  
Sung-Jin Song ◽  
Yun-hang Choung

The SMART (System-integrated Modular Advanced ReacTor) is small sized integral type pressurized water reactor designed by KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute), Korea. But, shape of steam generator (SG) in SMART plant differs from those in operated nuclear power plants (NPPs). Especially, SG tubes in SAMRT plant is helical type with around 600 mm of innermost diameter and thickness of 2.5 mm which is thicker than general NPPs one. For providing integrity of SG tube in SMART plant, new types of ECT method are needed because eddy current testing (ECT) is one of widely adopted method for inspection of SG tubes in NPPs. Therefore, in this study, we investigate optimal conditions or parameters for detecting and evaluating of flaws in the SG tubes in SMART plant by simulation of ECT signals with various testing condition or parameter such as frequency, coil gap and etc. From the simulated ECT signals optimal eddy current test condition or parameters are proposed.

2006 ◽  
Vol 321-323 ◽  
pp. 460-463
Author(s):  
Hee Jun Jung ◽  
Sung Jin Song ◽  
Chang Hwan Kim ◽  
Joo Young Yoo ◽  
Young Hwan Choi ◽  
...  

For inspection of steam generator tubes in nuclear power plants using eddy current testing, it is a very crucial task to extract the flaw signal from signals compounded by flaws and supporting structures. To perform such an important task, the multifrequency eddy current testing method is widely adopted. In this study, we explore the performance of a linear mixing technique based on the discrete cosine transform method by experiments. The results obtained using the DCT based method agree very well to those obtained by commercial software demonstrating the effectiveness of the approach.


Author(s):  
Murat Bakirov ◽  
Sergei Chubarov ◽  
Nikolay Trunov

The basic method of the operational inspection of metal of heat exchanging tubes (HET) of steam generators (SG) is eddy-current multifrequency method all over the world. The greatest distribution was received variant with eddy-current testing (ECT) by use of a bobbing probe on the Russian nuclear power plants (NPP). Tubes with the defects which a subject to plugging are defined by results of lead operational ECT over the certain algorithm. SG resource is settled and replacement is required at achievement of a limit on number of the plugged tubes [1].


Author(s):  
M. Subudhi ◽  
E. J. Sullivan

This paper presents the results of an aging assessment of the nuclear power industry’s responses to NRC Generic Letter 97-06 on the degradation of steam generator internals experienced at Electricite de France (EdF) plants in France and at a United States pressurized water reactor (PWR). Westinghouse (W), Combustion Engineering (CE), and Babcock & Wilcox (B & W) steam generator models, currently in service at U.S. nuclear power plants, potentially could experience degradation similar to that found at EdF plants and the U.S. plant. The steam generators in many of the U.S. PWRs have been replaced with steam generators with improved designs and materials. These replacement steam generators have been manufactured in the U.S. and abroad. During this assessment, each of the three owners groups (W, CE, and B&W) identified for its steam generator models all the potential internal components that are vulnerable to degradation while in service. Each owners group developed inspection and monitoring guidance and recommendations for its particular steam generator models. The Nuclear Energy Institute incorporated in NEI 97-06, “Steam Generator Program Guidelines,” a requirement to monitor secondary side steam generator components if their failure could prevent the steam generator from fulfilling its intended safety-related function. Licensees indicated that they implemented or planned to implement, as appropriate for their steam generators, their owners group recommendations to address the long-term effects of the potential degradation mechanisms associated with the steam generator internals.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document