• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 1996

The eddy current test(ECT) probe of differential encircling coil type was designed and fabricated, and the optimum condition of ECT was derived for the examination of the irradiated fuel rod. The correlation between ECT test frequency and phase & amplitude was derived by performing the test of the standard rig that includes inner notches, outer notches and through-holes. The defect of through-hole was predicted by ECT at the G33-N2 fuel rod irradiated in the Kori-1 nuclear power reactor. The metallographic examination on the G33-N2 fuel rod was Performed at the defect location predicted by ECT. The result of metallographic examination for the G33-N2 fuel rod was in good agreement with that of ECT. This proves that the evaluation for integrity of irradiated fuel rod by ECT is reliable.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2007

The bobbin probe examination is basic and the important method among other ECT techniques for the steam generator tube integrity assesment that is practiced during each plant outage. The bobbin probe is one of the essential components which consist of the whole ECT examination system, and provides us a decisive data for the evaluation of tube integrity in compliance with acceptance criteria described in specific procedures. The selection of examination probe is especially important because the quality of acquired ECT data is determined by the probe design characteristics, such as geometry and operation frequency, and has enormous effects on examination results. In this study, An optimal differential bobbin probe is designed for the steam generator tube inspection in nuclear power plants(NPPs). Based on the test results for electrical and ECT signal characteristics, the prototype bobbin probe satisfies all the criteria.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.262-269
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• 1997

An eddy current probe ($8{\times}1$ multiple-element, surface scan) was successfully designed and fabricated at the KEPRI using the impedance equivalent circuit theory. The probe is intended for the detection of circumferential deformations (cross-section view) of the heat exchanger tubing that can occur due to corrosion, erosion, and denting. Optimum design parameters providing the highest sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio, such as the coil dimensions, electrical characteristics, and test frequencies, were determined based on initial laboratory experiments conducted on the test specimen (SS304 tubing: OD : 9.68mm, wall-thickness : 0.47mm) containing artificial flaws (e.g., dents and corroded surface on tube OD) using the available Zetec-made probe. Using this parameters, a new probe was made and tested on an unknown specimen. The result indicated that the new probe is capable of detecting the circumferential deformation with the error of ${\pm}0.2%$ (0.022mm) of the tube O.D.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.9
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• pp.3272-3282
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• 2022

To improve the safety and life extension qualities of nuclear fuel rods which is currently made of zirconium (Zr) alloy, research on the application of chromium (Cr) coating was conducted. Cr coating has advantages such as increased corrosion resistance and reduced oxidation rate, but non-destructive thickness evaluation studies are needed to ensure the reliability of the steps taken to provide uniform coating thickness. Eddy current testing (ECT) is a representative non-destructive technique for such as thickness evaluation and surface defect inspection. To inspect changes in thickness at micron scale, the Swept Frequency Eddy Current Testing (SFECT) method was applied to select a frequency range sensitive to changes in thickness. The coating thickness was evaluated using changes in signals, such as that for impedance. In this study, basic research was performed to evaluate the thickness of the Cr coating on a rod using an encircling sensor and the SFECT technique. The sensor design parameters were determined through simulation, after which the new sensor was manufactured. A sensor capable of measuring the thickness of a non-uniformly Cr-coating rod was selected through an experiment evaluating the performance of the manufactured sensor. This was done using the impedance-difference of a Cr-coating rod and a Zr alloy rod. The possibility of evaluation of the Cr coating thickness was confirmed by comparing the experimental results with the selected sensor and the signals of the measured Cr-coating rod. All simulation results were verified experimentally.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1996.07a
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• pp.83-85
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• 1996

Major cause of defects in steam generator tubes at nuclear power plant is the accumulation of magnetite and other byproducts of corrosion in the crevice gap between support plates and tubes. Since damaged tubes result in contamination of the secondary coolant by the radioactive primary coolant, they represent a safety hazard. Early detection of magnetite buildup is, therefore, imperative in order to take remedial measures such as chemical flushing. Although the eddy current testing is being used for the inspection of steam generator tubes, the interpretation of resulting signals is generally a difficult task. This paper uses the phase of sensor coil emf as the test signal to find a way of easier signal interpretation. Numerical study using FEM shows that the shape of resulting signal is good for identifying the relative position of the probe to the support plate, and for discreminating the different shapes and degrees of magnetite buildup in the crevice gap region.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.201-208
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• 2005

In this paper, absolute and differential eddy current signals from various defects in the steam generator tube are numerically predicted and their signal slope characteristics are investigated. The signal changes due to frequency increase are also observed. After studying signal patterns from various defects and frequencies, the analysis of mixed defect signals affected by the presence of a ferromagnetic support plate is attempted. For the signal prediction, axisymmetric finite element modeling is used and this leads us to the slope angle analysis of the signal. Results show that differential signals are useful for locating the position of a defect under the support plate, while absolute signals are easy to presume and interpret even though the effect of support plate is mixed. Combined use of these two types of signals will help us accomplish a more reliable inspection.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.34-41
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• 2001

More accurate and fast inspection method for mechanical parts and structure is required to guarantee the safety. Conventional methods using compliance method, eddy current method, ultrasonic wave, acoustic emission for non-destructive testing in mechanical parts and structure have been performed as the method of contact with objects to be inspected. With this reason these methods have been taken relatively much time, money, and manpower. In this study, in order to overcome these shortcomings, we used In-plane Electronic Speckle pattern Interferometry(In-plane ESPI) that was full-field measurement and noncontact method. We detected the cracks of the specimen at a real time and measured the length of the crack by using In-place ESPI system. Finally, we compared this results with conventional microscope method.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.377-385
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• 1998

Many nuclear power plants have experienced unscheduled shutdown due to the leakage of steam generator tubes. The leakages are normally due to the crack, possibly stress corrosion cracking (SCC) near the tube expansion at the top of tubesheet or at the tangential point of the row-1 U-bend region. The conventional eddy current technique, which makes use of a differential bobbin coil, has been found to be inadequate for the early detection of SCC. During the in-service inspection, therefore, it is a general practice that the rotating pancake coil (RPC) is used for detecting the cracks. Even in using RPC, however, it is difficult to determine the depth of the cracks quantitatively. This paper attempts to determine the detectability and sizing ability of RPC technique for axial or circumferential cracks at the tube expansion region. The simulated cracks with various dimensions were fabricated by electro-discharge machining (EDM) method. Experimental results are discussed with theoretical calculations.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1999.07a
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• pp.290-292
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• 1999

핵연료봉이나 제어봉과 같은 봉구조물의 검사를 위하여 원격장와전류 효과를 낼 수 있는 탐촉자를 설계하고 탐상주파수를 유한요소해석을 통해 설정하였다. 핵연료봉을 대상으로 한 해석에서 exciter coil 주변을 차폐하고 500kHz의 주파수를 사용한 결과 전위계곡과 위상매듭의 존재가 나타나 원격장와전류 효과가 구현되었음을 확인하였다. exciter와 sensor coil로 이루어진 탐촉자를 이동시키면서 예측한 탐상신호에서는 센서를 원격장 의치에 고정시켰을 때, 결함이 센서를 지날 때의 위상신호와 결함이 exciter를 지날 때의 위상신호가 서로 달리 나타났다. 또한, 외부결함과 내부결함이 센서를 지날 때의 위상지연은 작지만 서로 반대의 경향으로 나타났으며, 두 종류의 결함이 exciter를 지날 때는 위상지연이 상대적으로 크게 줄어들고 외부/내부 결함에 상관없이 신호가 비슷하게 나타남을 볼 수 있었다. 이러한 신호형태는 자성체 관의 탐상에서 내, 외부 결함신호가 구별이 안되고, 동일한 위상신호가 항상 쌍으로 나타나는 것과 비교할 때, 신호해석을 훨씬 수월하게 해 줄 수 있을 것이라고 판단된다.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2009.04b
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• pp.109-111
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• 2009

본 논문에서는 전자기 유한요소 해석을 이용하여 원전 증기발생기 세관에서의 결함 변화에 따른 배열와전류프로브의 와전류탐상 특성을 해석하였다. 프로브의 전자기적 특성을 해석하기 위하여 3차원 전자기유한요소법을 이용하였다. 해석 대상으로 FBH 결함이 있는 세관을 사용하였으며, 결함의 위치는 관의 외부표면에 존재하게 하고 결함의 깊이는 세관 두께의 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%로 하였다. 결함의 크기를 변화시켰으며, 시험주파수는 100kHz, 300kHz, 400kHz를 사용하였다. 배열와전류프로브의 방향성에 대한 특성을 확인하기 위하여 축방향 및 원주방향 Notch 결함 신호의 차이를 비교하였다. 본 논문을 통하여 결함형상, 깊이 및 크기, 시험주파수의 변화에 따른 탐상신호의 변화를 확인할 수 있었으며, 본 논문의 결과는 배열와전류프로브의 와전류탐상 신호 평가 시 도움이 될 것이다.