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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Review and analysis of check valve failure data

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5347299
Check valve operating problems in recent years have resulted in significant operating transients, increased cost and decreased system availability. There has been, in response, additional attention given to check valves by utilities, as well as the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Operation and Maintenance Committee. All these organizations have the fundamental goal of ensuring reliable operation of check valves. A key ingredient to an engineering-oriented reliability improvement effort is a thorough understanding of relevant historical experience. Oak Ridge National Laboratory is currently conducting a detailed review of historical failure data available through the Institute of Nuclear Power Operation's Nuclear Plant Reliability Data System. The focus of the review is on check valve failures that have involved significant degradation of the valve internal parts. A variety of parameters are being considered during the review, including size, age, system of service, method of failure discovery, the affected valve parts, attributed causes, and corrective actions.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
NRC; Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
5347299
Report Number(s):
CONF-920732-3; ON: DE92014462
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English