The use of LBB concept in French fast reactors: Application to SPX plant
- and others
The leak before break (LBB) concept was not used at the design level for SUPERPHENIX (SPX), but different studies have been performed or are in progress concerning different components : Main Vessel (MV), pipings. These studies were undertaken to improve the defense in depth, an approach used in all French reactors. In a first study, the LBB approach has been applied to the MV of SPX plant to verify the absence of risk as regards the core supporting function and to help in the definition of in-service inspection (ISI) program. Defining a reference semi-elliptic defect located in the welds of the structure, it is verified that the crack growth is limited and that the end-of-life defect is smaller than the critical one. Then it is shown that the hoop welds (those which are the most important for safety) located between the roof and the triple point verify the leak-before-break criteria. However, generally speaking, the low level of membrane primary stresses which is favorable for the integrity of the vessel makes the application of the leak-before-break concept more difficult due to small crack opening areas. Finally, the extension of the methodology to the secondary pipings of SPX incorporating recent European works of DCRC is briefly presented.
- Research Organization:
- US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Washington, DC (United States). Div. of Engineering Technology; Electricite de France (EDF), 69 - Villeurbanne (France); Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, OH (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 489313
- Report Number(s):
- NUREG/CP-0155; CONF-9510432-; ON: TI97004806; TRN: 97:011453
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Seminar on leak before break in reactor piping and vessels, Lyon (France), 9-11 Oct 1995; Other Information: PBD: Apr 1997; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the seminar on leak before break in reactor piping and vessels; Faidy, C. [ed.] [Electricite de France, Villeurbanne (France)]; Gilles, P. [ed.] [Framatome, Paris (France)]; PB: 773 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
The analysis of normative requirements to materials of VVER components, basing on LBB concepts
Development of crack shape: LBB methodology for cracked pipes