Applicability of leak-before-break criteria
On February 1, 1984, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued Generic Letter 84-04 on the subject of postulated pipe breaks in pressurized water reactor (PWR) primary coolant loops, opening the way for pipe-whip restraint exemptions. The letter substitutes the leak-before-break (LBB) criteria for the double-ended guillotine break regarding PWR primary reactor coolant system (RCS) piping and asymmetric blowdown loads. The LBB criterion refers to the fact that a piping flaw will leak before it breaks. The current requirement to provide pipe-whip restraints is applied within the plant to all high-energy piping with a potential for damaging structures, systems, and components essential to safe reactor shutdown. This includes primary RCS piping 30 in. and larger as well as smaller piping systems. A study was performed to evaluate the applicability of the LBB criteria proposed in NUREG-1061 to the latter set. The costs and benefits of this kind of application were assessed through a demonstration using steam generator cubicle B at Millstone Nuclear Power Station Unit 3.
- Research Organization:
- Stone and Webster Engineering Corp., Boston, MA
- OSTI ID:
- 6664539
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-860610-
- Journal Information:
- Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 52; ISSN TANSA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
BOILERS
COOLING SYSTEMS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
FAILURES
HUMIDITY
INSPECTION
LEAKS
LICENSING
MILLSTONE-3 REACTOR
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PIPES
POWER REACTORS
PRIMARY COOLANT CIRCUITS
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
REACTOR LICENSING
REACTOR SAFETY
REACTOR SHUTDOWN
REACTORS
RUPTURES
SAFETY
SENSITIVITY
SHUTDOWNS
STEAM GENERATORS
US NRC
US ORGANIZATIONS
VAPOR GENERATORS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS