Steam generator tube degradation at the Doel 4 plant influence on plant operation and safety
- AIB-Vincotte Nuclear, Brussels (Belgium)
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.
- Research Organization:
- CH2M Hill, Gainesville, FL (United States); Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 467922
- Report Number(s):
- NUREG/CP-0154; ANL-96/14; NEA/CNRA/R-(96)1; CONF-9510423-; ON: TI97004312; TRN: 97:008388
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: CNRA/CSNI workshop on steam generator tube integrity in nuclear power plants, Oak Brook, IL (United States), 30 Oct - 2 Nov 1995; Other Information: PBD: Feb 1997; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the CNRA/CSNI workshop on steam generator tube integrity in nuclear power plants; Diercks, D.R. [Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)]; PB: 621 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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