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Title: Assessment of strength limiting flaws in ceramic heat exchanger components, Phase 2

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5178527· OSTI ID:5178527

The ability to predict energy efficient lifetimes for ceramic heat exchanger components is necessary for their design, manufacture, and sale. The ability to inspect components for critical defects and adherence to specifications is also vital. In this second phase of a three phase program new instrumentation was added to the existing NDE capabilities, mechanical testing was carried out to determine material properties, and a fracture mechanics model was developed. The new instrumentation is a TOFAM system and a CT scanner. The TOFAM was developed at Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. It is an ultrasonic scanning system, with the capability of producing a magnified image of the part being scanned, and a color coded image showing the depth of any defects located. The CT scanner is based on a microfocus X-ray system, and reconstructions use code supplied by Sandia National Laboratory. Both these systems are capable of working with full size heat exchanger tubes. The mechanical testing program was carried out on C-rings at both room temperature and at 1230 degrees C, and on pressurized tube segments at room temperature. Acoustic Emission monitoring was used to detect slow crack growth in all test conditions. 47 refs., 60 figs., 9 tabs.

Research Organization:
Babcock and Wilcox Co., Lynchburg, VA (USA). Lynchburg Research Center
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/CE
DOE Contract Number:
AC07-84ID12566
OSTI ID:
5178527
Report Number(s):
DOE/ID/12566-3; ON: DE90004086
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English