Evaluation and Reliability Enhancement for ET Data of VVER Steam Generator Tubes
Currently, there are three remote automated eddy current inspection systems supplied in Ukraine under international cooperation agreements for examination of steam generators, collectors and steam generator tubing. Since 1966 the field experience in using eddy current testing (ET) for in-service inspection of VVER designed steam generators in Ukraine has shown several advantages over the previous inspection methodology which was an air bubble leakage technique. However, the field experience in using eddy current inspection technology has also shown that inspections are not always reliable. Some nuclear power plants have experienced unplanned shutdowns due to leaks in steam generator tubes, some of which were tested by ET prior to the leak. Therefore, eddy current inspection has shown significant improvement over previous testing techniques, field experience also shows the necessity to improve the ET inspection reliability as applied at Ukraine nuclear power plants. This paper presents the status of efforts by the Ukraine Nondestructive Certification and Training Facility (NDEF) Eddy Current laboratory to improve eddy current inspection in Ukraine.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 860429
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-39152; NN3001010; TRN: US0504923
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 22nd Annual EPRI Steam Generator NDE Workshop, Hilton Head, SC, June 30-July 2, 2003, 16 pp; Electrical Power Research Institute,Palo Alto,,United States.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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