NDTsi 2001 Session: Structural Integrity and NDE I-II
Inspection Programs for the Primary Circuit of PWR: New Approach
F. Champigny, EDF, France
ABSTRACT
In France, since the end of 1999, a new departmental order has been signed and has defined the rules to be applied for maintenance operations on nuclear reactors. This departmental order has few objectives. Firstly, it takes into account the evolution for the last 25 years in terms of operation. Secondly, it introduces the elements of the feedback from experience but in terms of consequences of established or potential damages for the components. Thirdly, the fast fracture, meaning ductile fracture and brittle fracture have now a great importance to determine the fitness for purpose of the components for the plant life extension. Lastly, the qualification of the non-destructive examinations is now required for all the applications. In less than one year and a half, EDF has worked in order to revise the existing inspection programs and to be ready for the deadline of the end of November 2001. So the new inspection programs have been constructed with a new perspective:
redefine the basis of the programs,
review the different areas of the inspected components,
prescribe the specifications to prepare the NDE qualifications.
The paper details the concepts used for the inspections and focuses especially on some important areas where the relationship between NDE and structural integrity is emphasised. Few examples of this methodology are given as examples for parts of the primary circuit.
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]
