J. Whittle, John Whittle & Associates, UK; M. Melbi, A. Eriksson, JRC, European Commission, Netherlands
ABSTRACT
The first ENIQ pilot study was highly successful in demonstrating the feasibility of the ENIQ methodology for qualification of a specific ultrasonic inspection. However, because the first pilot study involved an austenitic component, the use made of technical justification was not as extensive as might be possible for ferritic components. Consequently the ENIQ Steering Committee decided to conduct a 2nd ENIQ Pilot Study on a ferritic component. The objectives of the 2nd Pilot Study are to show how to fully exploit the potential of technical justifications in the qualification of inspection procedures and thereby reduce the number of test piece trials on full-scale components. Secondly, to show how, and under what conditions, existing qualifications can be extended to other, similar components using technical justifications and so minimise the need for additional test piece trials. The study will consist of three phases, where Phase 1 deals with the use of technical justification to qualify the inspection of a specific BWR nozzle to shell weld. Phase 2 examines how to extend an existing qualification to a situation, which is similar but where, some of the essential parameters are different. Finally, Phase 3 will assess the data gathered in the first two phases and determine the extent to which the information in the technical justifications removes the need for test piece data to qualify the inspections. This paper reports on the progress of the study, describes the tasks within the three phases and the present status of the study.
Publication Source: 3nd International Conference on NDE in Relation to Structural Integrity for Nuclear and Pressurized Components, November 14-16, 2001, Seville Spain. Publisher: Tecnatom s.a. - [Homepage]
