A joint program between EPRI and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is underway to determine the distribution (size and number density) of fabrication defects in reactor pressure vessel (RPV) welds. A series of nondestructive examinations are being performed on material removed from the decommissioned, unirradiated, Shoreham RPV. Ultrasonic (UT) inspections are being performed by the EPRI Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Center (EPRI-sponsored) and by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) (NRC-funded). Results obtained from the ultrasonic examinations will be used to determine appropriate areas for further evaluation through destructive sectioning and metallographic analysis. The destructive sectioning will be performed to characterize the defect type and determine the defect distribution for the material evaluated. In addition, it is anticipated that results from the NDE and destructive analyses will provide information regarding ultrasonic inspection performance and reliability for consideration in RPV operating criteria. This paper provides an update on the project status.
Publication Source: 2nd International Conference on NDE in Relation to Structural Integrity for Nuclear and Pressurized Components, May 24-26, 2000, New Orleans, Louisiana USA. Publisher: EPRI - [Homepage]
