Statistical analysis of steam generator tube degradation
- Dominion Engineering, Inc., McLean, VA (United States)
Statistical methods are investigated for use in evaluating and predicting the progression of steam generator tube degradation due to corrosion and other causes. It is found that the Weibull statistical distribution provides an easy to use and effective method for predicting damage progression. Other statistical functions, such as the log-normal, can also be used, often with essentially equivalent results. Statistical evaluations were performed of a variety of current degradation mechanisms. These evaluations covered: Intergranular attack/stress corrosion cracking (IGA/SCC) at tube supports, in tube sheet crevices, and in sludge piles of recirculating steam generators; primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) at roll transitions, U-bends and dents of recirculating steam generators; and erosion-corrosion in once-through steam generators. The statistical evaluations described in the report indicate that the progression of degradation often follows predictable patterns such that long term trends can be predicted. In addition, the behavior of plants experiencing degradation can provide insights regarding the potential behavior of other plants with similar design, materials, and operating conditions. Guidance is developed for use by utilities on application of statistical methods for evaluation of plant specific steam generator tube degradation. 17 refs., 30 figs., 3 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); Dominion Engineering, Inc., McLean, VA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- EPRI; Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 5080165
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-NP-7493
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360105 -- Metals & Alloys-- Corrosion & Erosion
ALLOYS
BOILERS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CORROSION
CRACKS
CREVICE CORROSION
DATA
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS
INCONEL ALLOYS
INFORMATION
INTERGRANULAR CORROSION
MECHANICS
NICKEL ALLOYS
NICKEL BASE ALLOYS
NUMERICAL DATA
POWER REACTORS
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTORS
STATISTICAL DATA
STATISTICAL MECHANICS
STEAM GENERATORS
STRESS CORROSION
SYSTEM FAILURE ANALYSIS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
THERMAL REACTORS
TUBES
VAPOR GENERATORS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS