Advanced Nuclear Power - The Magazine of Framatome ANP









Steam generator tube inspection normally occurs during the critical path portion of an outage. Therefore, any improvements in inspection equipment that simplify implementation and increase productivity can reduce outage duration. A breakthrough recently was made with a new generation of inspection equipment that, among other features, examines two tubes at a time. Intercontrôle, a wholly owned subsidiary of Framatome ANP, specializing in non-destructive testing, has completed qualification of new eddy current inspection equipment for steam generator (SG) tubes. The system builds on cutting-edge technology in electronics and network communications.

This new line of inspection equipment reduces inspection duration by linking the various elements into a network and by multi-tasking. A reduction in electronic devices and IT systems results in information exchange reliability, significantly lowers failure rates and facilitates maintenance. Moreover, the overall optimization of resources reduces radiation doses of inspection personnel, thus complying with on-going ALARA plans.

The Ritmic manipulator
for dual probe examination

The chosen technologies enable the equipment to adapt to the specific requirements of new inspections (travel, rotation speed of the probe, areas to be examined...). Therefore, it has paved the way for the implementation in 2002 of the STA, a new rotating probe designed to improve the detection of circumferential cracks in the roll transition zone. Moreover, to enhance productivity, the equipment can move two probes in tandem and receive signals from two tubes simultaneously (dual probe examination as already performed by the Framatome ANP American and German teams).

The new inspection equipment was successfully put into service at Le Blayais in October 2001.

Shelters for examination from outside

Characteristics

  • A new eddy current instrument, the Harmonic 2000
  • A monitoring program for the data-acquisition system (SPVNT), developed in the Windows NT environment
  • The Ritmic manipulator
  • An annular gallery terminal (TGA), including the control rack for the Ritmic
  • Aida, data acquisition and analysis software for axial probes
  • Celeste, data acquisition and analysis software for rotating probes, also developed in Windows NT environment

Advantages

  • Higher inspection speed
  • Increased reliability and reduced maintenance
  • Flexibility to meet new inspection requirements
  • Reduced radiation exposure
The data herein are solely for your information and are not offered, or to be construed, as a warranty or contractual responsibility.
© 2002 Framatome ANP. All Rights Reserved.