Erosion/Corrosion-Induced Pipe Wall Thinning in U.S. Nuclear Power Plants
- US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Washington, DC (United States). Division of Engineering and Systems Technology
Erosion/corrosion in single-phase piping systems was not clearly recognized as a potential safety issue before the pipe rupture incident at the Surry Power Station in December 1986. This incident reminded the nuclear industry and the regulators that neither the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) nor Section XI of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code require utilities to monitor erosion/corrosion in the secondary systems of nuclear power plants. This report provides a brief review of the erosion/corrosion phenomenon and its major occurrences in nuclear power plants. In addition, efforts by the NRC, the industry, and the ASME Section XI Committee to address this issue are described. Finally, results of the survey and plant audits conducted by the NRC to assess the extent of erosion/corrosion-induced piping degradation and the status of program implementation regarding erosion/corrosion monitoring are discussed. This report will support a staff recommendation for an additional regulatory requirement concerning erosion/corrosion monitoring.
- Research Organization:
- US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Washington, DC (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) (United States). Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
- OSTI ID:
- 6152848
- Report Number(s):
- NUREG-1344; ON: TI89011833
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
BWR TYPE REACTORS
PIPES
CORROSION
EROSION
PWR TYPE REACTORS
FEEDWATER
HEAT TRANSFER
IN-SERVICE INSPECTION
MONITORING
PIPE FITTINGS
PIPE JOINTS
QUALITY ASSURANCE
REGULATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
STANDARDS
THICKNESS
WELDED JOINTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DIMENSIONS
ENERGY TRANSFER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INSPECTION
JOINTS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REACTORS
WATER
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
erosion/corrosion
nondestructive examination
pressurized water reactors
boiling water reactors
flow-assisted corrosion
ultrasonic testing
210100* - Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Boiling Water Cooled
210200 - Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled