Comprehensive investigation of the corrosion state of the heat exchanger tubes of steam generators

Author(s):  
E Kuzmann ◽  
K MakÓ ◽  
J Schunk ◽  
S Stichleutner ◽  
K RadÓ ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Szabó Nagy ◽  
Kálmán Varga ◽  
Bernadett Baja ◽  
Zoltán Németh ◽  
Deszo Oravetz ◽  
...  

Evaluating the water chemistry in the primary circuit and the effect of chemical econtamination of the heat exchanger tubes performed by the AP-CITROX (AP: alkaline permanganate; CITROX: citric and oxalic acid) procedure at Paks NPP (Hungary), a project dealing with the comprehensive investigation of the general corrosion state of the steam generators (SGs) has been initiated. Owing to the fact that there is no investigation method available for the in-situ monitoring of the inner surfaces of heat exchanger tubes, a research program based on sampling as well as on ex-situ electrochemical (voltammetric) and surface analytical measurements (SEM-EDX, CEMS, XRD, XPS) was developed and elaborated. In the time period of 2000-2008 - within the frame of the above project - 45 stainless steel specimens, cut out from various locations of the steam generators of the Paks NPP were investigated. Based on the measured corrosion characteristics (corrosion rate, thickness and chemical composition of the protective oxide-layer) it was found that these parameters are strongly dependent on the decontamination history of steam generators. The present work gives a brief overview on the general corrosion state of the heat exchanger tubes of SGs, concerning the long-term effects of the AP-CITROX procedure on the chemical composition and structure of the protective oxide-layer.


2022 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-83
Author(s):  
Andrea Szabó Nagy ◽  
Kálmán Varga ◽  
Bernadett Baja ◽  
Zoltán Németh ◽  
Desző Oravetz ◽  
...  

Our previous studies have revealed that a ”hybrid” structure of the amorphous and crystalline phases is formed in the outermost surface region of the austenitic stainless steel tubes of steam generators (SGs) as an undesired consequence of the industrial application of the AP-CITROX (AP: alkaline permanganate; CITROX: citric and oxalic acid) decontamination technology. The formation of this mobile oxide-layer increased the amount of the corrosion products in the primary circuit significantly, resulting in magnetite deposition on fuel assemblies. Owing to the fact that there is no investigation method available for the in-situ monitoring of the inner surfaces of heat exchanger tubes, a research project based on sampling as well as on ex-situ electrochemical and surface analytical measurements was elaborated. Within the frame of this project, comprehensive investigation of the general corrosion state and metallographic features of 36 stainless steel specimens, cut out from various locations of the 21 steam generators of the Paks NPP in the time period of 2000-2007 has been performed. The present work gives a brief overview on the general corrosion state of the heat exchanger tubes of SGs, concerning the long-term effects of the AP-CITROX procedure on the chemical composition and structure of the protective oxide-layer.


2006 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 2727-2749 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Szabó ◽  
K. Varga ◽  
Z. Németh ◽  
K. Radó ◽  
D. Oravetz ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Miklo´s Do´czi

Steam Generator is one of the most critical components in nuclear power plants. It has of overriding importance from point of view of safe and reliable operation of the whole plant. Variety of degradation mechanisms affecting SG tube bundle may cause different types of material damage. In Paks NPP eddy current in-service inspection have been performed since 1988. In the year 1997 higher number of defected tubes were found in case of Unit#2, compared to results of the previous years. A medium term SG inspection program had been performed in the time period between 1998–2004. Based on the results of eddy current inspections high number of heat exchanger tubes had been plugged. Chemical cleanings of all steam generators were performed aiming to reduce the magnetite, copper deposits and corrosion agents acting on the surface of the tubes. Replacement of the main condensers had been performed to stop the uncontrolled water income caused by the relatively frequent leakages of the condenser tubes. Several tube samples had been cut from the first row of the tube bundles of different steam generators to study the effectiveness of the cleaning process and to determine the composition of deposits on the tube outside surface. Also several tubes with eddy current indications had been pulled out from the steam generators to determine the acting degradation mechanism. Examination of removed tubes can provide opportunity to check the reliability of eddy current inspection using bobbin coil. Also there were tubes pulled out form SG with existing cracks. From the year 2005 new inspection program had been started. As the first results of the new inspection program shows, there is only a few new indications had been found and there is no measurable crack propagation in case of existing indications. During the recent years feed-water collectors were replaced in case of all units of the power plant, because of material damage (erosion corrosion). The paper summarizes the results of eddy current in-service inspection of heat exchanger tubes, results of examinations of removed tubes and also deals with results of visual examination of the feed-water distributor system.


Author(s):  
P J Dechamps

This paper describes a method used to compute the transient performances of assisted circulation heat recovery steam generators. These heat recovery steam generators are composed of several heat exchangers, each of which is a bundle of tubes. The method presented here treats each heat exchanger in a similar way, replacing the bundle of tubes with an ‘equivalent’ linear heat exchanger. This equivalent linear heat exchanger is then discretized in as many slices as required by the accuracy. The mass and enthalpy equations on each of these control volumes are solved by a fully explicit numerical method, adapted for the special conditions encountered in this kind of problem, allowing a considerable reduction of the computation time compared to other methods. Some emphasis is put on the modifications required to solve the equations for the evaporators because they are two-phase heat exchangers. A model for the steam drums is also presented together with simple models for the main control loops used in such systems. An example is presented in which an existing dual pressure level heat recovery steam generator is started from a cold state. The numerical predictions are in good agreement with measurements.


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