Recent improvements in check valve monitoring methods
In support of the NRC Nuclear Plant Aging Research (NPAR) program, ORNL has carried out an evaluation of three check valve monitoring methods: acoustic emission, ultrasonic inspection, and magnetic flux signature analysis (MFSA). This work has focused on determining the capabilities of each method to provide diagnostic information useful in determining check valve aging and service wear effects (degradation) and undesirable operating modes. In addition, as part of the ORNL Advanced Diagnostic Engineering Research and Development Center (ADEC), two noval nonintrusive monitoring methods were developed (external ac- and dc-magnetic monitoring) that provide several improvements over the other methods. None of the examined methods could, by themselves, monitor the instantaneous position and motion of check valve internals and valve leakage; however, the combination of acoustic emission monitoring with one of the other methods provides the means to determine vital check valve operational information. This paper describes the benefits and limitations associated with each method and includes recent laboratory and field test data to illustrate the capabilities of these methods to detect simulated check valve degradation. 3 refs., 22 figs., 4 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USNRC
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 6492669
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9010185-11; ON: DE91004392; TRN: 90-037635
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 18. water reactor safety information meeting, Gaithersburg, MD (USA), 22-24 Oct 1990
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
VALVES
AGING
MONITORING
ACOUSTIC EMISSION TESTING
MAGNETIC TESTING
ULTRASONIC TESTING
ACOUSTIC TESTING
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
MATERIALS TESTING
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
POWER PLANTS
TESTING
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
220400* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Control Systems
220200 - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Components & Accessories