EVALUATING THE USE OF ULTRASONIC TESTING IN LIEU OF RADIOGRAPHY FOR INSPECTING WELDS IN NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
The nuclear power industry has recently proposed using ultrasonic testing (UT) in lieu of radiographic testing (RT) on new construction welds and on the repairs of operating reactor component welds. Advantages of UT include a reduction in inspection time, costs, and plant personnel exposure to radiation fields. The replacement of one nondestructive testing method with another, however, requires a detailed analysis of the capabilities of the replacement method as compared to the existing method. Capabilities of interest in this context include detection reliability, false call rates, flaw characterization and sizing accuracy, human factors, data recording capabilities, and cost. The interchangeability of UT and RT has been studied by several institutions, but the evidence found to date in a literature search is not conclusive and therefore requires further investigation to assess the ability of UT to meet nuclear power industry fabrication and pre-service inspection standards. This paper reviews relevant literature on the interchangeability of UT and RT, and identifies potential gaps that may need to be addressed in this area.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 1012522
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-71273; 401001060
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
An Empirical Study on Ultrasonic Testing in Lieu of Radiography for Nuclear Power Plants
Machine learning for ultrasonic nondestructive examination of welding defects: A systematic review
Related Subjects
ACCURACY
CONSTRUCTION
DEFECTS
DETECTION
FABRICATION
HUMAN FACTORS
INTERCHANGEABILITY
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
NUCLEAR POWER
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
PERSONNEL
PRESSURE VESSELS
RADIATIONS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
RELIABILITY
SIZE
TESTING
ULTRASONIC TESTING
Ultrasonic Testing
Radiography Testing
NDE