Review of NDE Methods for Detection and Monitoring of Atmospheric SCC in Welded Canisters for the Storage of Used Nuclear Fuel

Technical Report · Mon Jan 14 00:00:00 EST 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1183636· OSTI ID:1183636

Meyer, Ryan M. ^[1]; Pardini, Allan F. ^[1]; Hanson, Brady D. ^[1]; Sorenson, Ken B. ^[1]

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1. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Dry cask storage systems (DCSSs) for used nuclear fuel (UNF) were originally envisioned for storage periods of short duration (~ a few decades). However, uncertainty challenges the opening of a permanent repository for UNF implying that UNF will need to remain in dry storage for much longer durations than originally envisioned (possibly for centuries). Thus, aging degradation of DCSSs becomes an issue that may not have been sufficiently considered in the design phase and that can challenge the efficacy of very long-term storage of UNF. A particular aging degradation concern is atmospheric stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of DCSSs located in marine environments. In this report, several nondestructive (NDE) methods are evaluated with respect to their potential for effective monitoring of atmospheric SCC in welded canisters of DCSSs. Several of the methods are selected for evaluation based on their usage for in-service inspection applications in the nuclear power industry. The technologies considered include bulk ultrasonic techniques, acoustic emission, visual techniques, eddy current, and guided ultrasonic waves.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1183636
• Report Number(s): PNNL-22158; AF5865010; TRN: US1500317
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
DRY STORAGE
SPENT FUELS
WELDED JOINTS
CRACKS
CASKS
REVIEWS
STRESS CORROSION
MONITORING
IN-SERVICE INSPECTION
DETECTION
SEAWATER
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
ACOUSTIC EMISSION TESTING
ULTRASONIC TESTING
EDDY CURRENT TESTING
TROPOSPHERE
HUMIDITY
NDE
Atmospheric Stress Corrosion Cracking
Dry Cask Storage
Used Nuclear Fuel