Assessment of diagnostic methods for determining degradation of check valves

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:5418744

Haynes, H D ^[1]; Farmer, W S ^[2]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
2. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Rockville, MD (United States)

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has carried out a comprehensive aging assessment of check valves in support of the Nuclear Plant Aging Research (NPAR) program. This paper provides a summary of the ORNL check valve aging assessment with emphasis on the identification, evaluation, and application of check valve monitoring methods and techniques. Several check valve monitoring methods are described and compared. These methods include: acoustic emission monitoring, ultrasonic inspection, magnetic flux signature analysis (MFSA), external magnetics. These diagnostic technologies were shown to be useful in determining check valve condition (e.g., disc position, disc motion, and seat leakage), although none of the methods was by itself, successful in monitoring all three condition indicators. The combination of acoustic emission with either ultrasonics or one of the magnetic technologies, however, yields a monitoring system that succeeds in providing the sensitivity to detect all major check valve operating conditions. Other areas covered in the paper include descriptions of relevant regulatory issues, utility group activities, and interactions ORNL has had with outside organizations for the purpose of disseminating research results.

• 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: 5418744
• Report Number(s): CONF-920375-12; ON: DE92011079
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220200 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Components & Accessories
220400* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Control Systems
220900 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
ACOUSTIC EMISSION TESTING
ACOUSTIC TESTING
AGING
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
MAGNETIC TESTING
MATERIALS TESTING
MONITORING
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
REACTOR SAFETY
SAFETY
TESTING
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
ULTRASONIC TESTING
VALVES