Diagnosis of condensation-induced waterhammer: Case studies

Technical Report · Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6737529· OSTI ID:6737529

Izenson, M G; Rothe, P H; Wallis, G B

This guidebook provides reference material and diagnostic procedures concerning condensation-induced waterhammer in nuclear power plants. Condensation-induced waterhammer is the most damaging form of waterhammer, and its diagnosis is complicated by the complex nature of the underlying phenomena. In Volume 1, the guidebook groups condensation-induced waterhammers into five event classes which have similar phenomena and levels of damage. Diagnostic guidelines focus on locating the event center where condensation and slug acceleration take place. Diagnosis is described in three stages: an initial assessment, detailed evaluation and final confirmation. Graphical scoping analyses are provided to evaluate whether an event from one of the event classes could have occurred at the event center. Examples are provided for each type of waterhammer. Special instructions are provided for walking down damaged piping and evaluating damage due to waterhammer. To illustrate the diagnostic methods and document past experience, six case studies have been compiled in Volume 2. These case studies, based on actual condensation-induced waterhammer events at nuclear plants, present detailed data and work through the event diagnosis using the tools introduced in the first volume. 20 refs., 21 figs., 6 tabs.

• Research Organization: Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (USA). Div. of Systems Research; Creare, Inc., Hanover, NH (United States)
• OSTI ID: 6737529
• Report Number(s): NUREG/CR-5220-Vol.2; CREARE-TM-1189-Vol.2; ON: TI89002153
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
WATER HAMMER
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
BWR TYPE REACTORS
DAMAGE
FEEDWATER
PIPELINES
PWR TYPE REACTORS
SLUDGES
VOIDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REACTORS
WATER
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
210200* - Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled
210100 - Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Boiling Water Cooled