Phased Array UT Applications Development at the EPRI NDE Center
G. Selby, EPRI NDE Centre, Charlotte, USA
ABSTRACT
EPRI is using phased array technology to develop several ultrasonic inspection techniques for the electric utility industry. The objective is to increase the economic value of the inspections by decreasing inspection time and simplifying the scanning hardware, while matching or exceeding the flaw detection and sizing capabilities of conventional ultrasonic techniques. EPRI is working closely with utilities and NDE vendor companies to develop probes and procedures, to demonstrate and qualify them, to conduct first field applications, and to see the array techniques into routine commercial operation. Commercial field deployments in 1998 include inspection of the stainless steel core shroud of boiling water reactors for detection and sizing of intergranular stress corrosion cracking near the welds, and inspection of turbine disks for detection of cracking in the blade attachment hooks. Also under development are rapid-scan techniques for inspection of boiling water reactor pressure vessel welds and for inspection of piping welds.
Publication Source: First International Conference on NDE in Relation to Structural Integrity for Nuclear and Pressurised Components , 20 - 22 October 1998, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Held by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. Publisher:Woodhead Publishing Limited
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