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U.S. Department of Energy
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Utilization of real-time x-radiography for in-service inspection of nuclear reactor piping: feasibility investigation. Final report. [BWR]

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6434812· OSTI ID:6434812

The objective of this program is to determine the feasibility of Real-Time Radiographic imaging for in-service inspection of stainless steel Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) piping for detection of stress corrosion cracking. The program consisted of Real-Time Radiographic (RTR) inspection of two 4-inch diameter schedule 80 BWR pipes which were obtained from General Electric. One sample pipe was specially machined with slots of known dimensions to determine the absolute sensitivity of the real time system. The second pipe, which contained actual intergranular stress corrosion cracks, was inspected to determine the relative sensitivity of real time compared to a fine grain x-ray film (Eastman Kodak AA). The pipes were inspected with and without water to simulate actual in-service conditions and to determine if the water affected the crack detection sensitivity. The results of the study indicated that the real-time radiography system could resolve simulated cracks .008 inch wide, .030 inch deep, and .010 inch wide, .015 inch deep.

Research Organization:
Science Applications, Inc., La Jolla, CA (USA)
OSTI ID:
6434812
Report Number(s):
EPRI-NP-950
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English