• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.34-39
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• 2008

Steam Generator(SG) tubes are classified as one of the key components in nuclear power plants, and they should be periodically examined by the intensified management program for the assurance and diagnosis of their structural integrity. In this study, we use the optimum analysis technique to draw the detection and categorization of bowing(BOW) signals; abnormal tube-to-tube proximity in the SG upper bundle free span area. The locations in which BOW signals are detected likely have latent degradation of ODSCC(Outer Diameter Stress Corrosion Cracking). For the sake of timely and correct detection of BOW signals and diagnosis of ODSCC, we carried out the experimental demonstrations using a reduced mock-up. And we validated the MRPC(Motorized Rotating Pancake Coil) analysis technique is better than the bobbin. Hence, it comes to conclusion that the optimum analysis technique can be a good alternative for the reliable SG tube examination.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.374-382
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• 2009

Steam generator(SG) tube, as a barrier isolating primary to the secondary coolant system of nuclear power plants(NPP), must maintain the structural integrity far the public safety and its efficient power generation capacity. And SG tubes bearing defects must be timely detected and taken repair measures if needed. For the accomplishment of these objectives, SG tubes have been periodically examined by eddy current testing(ECT) on the basis of administrative notices and intensified SG management program(SGMP). Stress corrosion cracking(SCC) on the SG tubes is not easily detected and even missed since it has lower signal amplitude and other disturbing factors against its detection. However once SCC is developed, that can cause detrimental affects to the SG tubes due to its rapid propagation rate. Accordingly SCC is categorized as prime damage mechanism challenging the soundness of the SG tubes. In this study, reproduced EDM notch specimens are examined for the detectability and quantitative characterization of the axial ODSCC by +PT MRPC probe, containing pancake, +PT and shielded pancake coils apart in a single plane around the circumference. The results of this study are assumed to be applicable fur providing key information of engineering evaluation of SCC and improvement of confidence level of ECT on SG tubes.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.386-395
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• 2010

The steam generator management program(SGMP) has recently defined the procedures for the qualification of eddy current hardware and technique. These procedures provide two basic methods for qualification. The first way is to qualify the equipment or the probe by using the flaw mechanism and method of the pulled tubes from the heat exchangers or the artificial flawed tubes. The second way is to verify the equivalency with the characteristics of the qualified equipment or probe. In this case, the qualified equipment or probe may be modified to substitute or replace instruments or probes without re-qualification provided that the range of essential variables defined in the examination technique specification sheet are met. This study is to describe the result of the comparative performance evaluation of bobbin coil eddy current probes manufactured by KEPCO Research Institute and probes manufactured by a foreign manufacturer. As a result of this study, although there were minor differences between the two kinds of probes, it was evaluated that the two kinds of probes were almost identical in the significant performance characteristics described in the KEPCO Research Institute guideline.