Detection of Thermal Fatigue Damage in Piping - NDE Technology, Examiner Qualification & Computer Based Training
S. Walker, EPRI, USA; M. Robinson, Duke Energy Company, USA
ABSTRACT
Several nuclear power plants experienced thermal fatigue in piping systems in recent years. The thermal fatigue-related failures prompted a review of examination practices that were currently used for detection of thermal fatigue damage in piping, particularly in small-diameter piping (less than 4-inches in diameter). Because volumetric examination techniques have been difficult to apply to small-diameter piping and most examinations of small-diameter piping have historically been limited to surface examinations, the nuclear power industry expressed a desire to develop a plan for both near- and long-term solutions. A program was developed to include criteria and methods for improving the reliability of small-diameter piping examinations. In response to these concerns, an Issues Task Group (ITG) was put together under EPRI's Pressurized Water Reactor Materials Reliability Program. The inspection-related deliverables of the ITG, 'Thermal Fatigue Inspection Guidelines' and 'Computer-Based NDE Training for Thermal Fatigue Cracking' form the subject for this paper. Specifically, this paper describes the results of the evaluation of candidate non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technologies for thermal fatigue crack detection, recommends guidance for NDE examiner qualifications, and introduces the computer-based training that is available.
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]
