Ultrasonic Inspection of Cracks in Stud Bolts of Reactor Vessels in Nuclear Power Plants by Signal Processing of Differential Operation

  • Choi, Sang-Woo (Center for Quality Engineering and Failure Prevention, Northwestern University) ;
  • Lee, Joon-Hyun (School of Mechanical Engineering, Pusan National University) ;
  • Oh, Won-Deok (Research Institute of Mechanical Technology, Pusan National University)
  • Published : 2005.12.30

Abstract

The stud bolt is one of crucial parts for safe operation of reactor vessels in nuclear power plants, Crack initiation and propagation were reported in stud bolts that arc used for closure of reactor vessel and head, Stud bolts are inspected by ultrasonic technique during overhaul periodically for the prevention of stud bolt failure which could induce radioactive leakage from nuclear reactor, In conventional ultrasonic testing for inspection of stud bolts, cracks are detected by using shadow effect It takes too much time to inspect stud bolts by using conventional ultrasonic technique. In addition, there were numerous spurious signals reflected from every oblique surfaces of thread, In this study, the signal processing technique for enhancing conventional ultrasonic technique was introduced for inspecting stud bolts. The signal processing technique provides removing spurious signal reflected from every oblique surfaces of thread and enhances detectability of defects. Detectability for small crack was enhanced by using this signal processing in ultrasonic inspection of stud bolts in Nuclear Power Plants.

Keywords

References

  1. ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section XI, Rules for Inservice Inspection of Nuclear Power Plant Components
  2. Solid State Phenomena v.110 Application of Ultrasonic Phased Array Techniques for Inspection of Stud Bolts in Nuclear Power Plants Choi, S.W.;Lee, J.H. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/SSP.110.97
  3. Key Engineering Materials v.270-273 Detection of Cracks in Stud Bolts of Nuclear Reactor by Novel Ultrasonic Technique Oh, W.D.;Lee, J.H.;Choi, S.W.;Park, M.H. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.270-273.2284
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