skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Wear measurements of nuclear power plant components. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6816931

The objective of this study is to measure the amount of cobalt released to the primary coolant by wear of components in the primary circuit of nuclear power plants. Since detailed measurement data prior to wear were not available for field components, the measurements were made relative to nearby unworn reference surfaces. In most cases a profilometer was used to ascertain the worn profiles. Wear of components that were too large to be moved or that were contaminated was measured by preparing plastic replicas of the worn regions for subsequent profilometer measurements. Measurements were performed on the following components: (1) two PWR control element drive mechanisms; (2) a PWR main coolant pump shaft; (3) eight PWR gate valve discs; (4) two PWR horizontal swing check valve bushings; (5) four BWR feedwater regulator valves; (6) a BWR feedwater swing check valve; and (7) two BWR two-stage pilot relief valves. Pre- and post-test weight change measurements also were used to determine the wear of the two control element drive mechanisms. The wear measurements showed that the cobalt release rate varied from 0.02 to 84 grams of cobalt per year.

Research Organization:
Battelle Columbus Labs., OH (USA); Combustion Engineering, Inc., Windsor, CT (USA)
OSTI ID:
6816931
Report Number(s):
EPRI-NP-3444; ON: TI84920411
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English