Eddy Current Reliability Results from the Steam Generator Mock-up Analysis Round-Robin (NUREG/CR-6791, Revision 1)

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Publication Information

Manuscript Completed: February 2007
Date Published: October 2009

Prepared by:

D.S. Kupperman, S. Bakhtiari, W.J. Shack, J.Y. Park, and
S. Majumdar

Argonne National Laboratory
9700 South Cass Avenue
Argonne, IL 60439

C. Harris, NRC Project Manager

NRC Job Code W6487

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, DC 20555

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Abstract

This report presents the results of a nondestructive evaluation round–robin designed to independently assess the reliability of steam generator (SG) tube inspection. A steam generator mock–up at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) was used for this study. The goal of the round–robin was to assess the current state of in–service eddy–current inspection reliability for SG tubing, determine the probability of detection (POD) as a function of flaw size or severity, and assess the capability for sizing of flaws. Eleven teams participated in analyzing bobbin and rotating coil mock–up data collected by qualified industry personnel. The mock–up contains hundreds of cracks and simulations of artifacts such as corrosion deposits and tube support plates. This configuration mimics more closely than most laboratory situations the difficulty of detection and characterization of cracks experienced in an operating steam generator. An expert task group from industry, ANL, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has reviewed the signals from the laboratory–grown cracks used in the mock–up to ensure that they provide reasonable simulations of those obtained in the field. The number of tubes inspected and the number of teams participating in the round–robin are intended to provide better statistical data on the POD and characterization accuracy than is currently available from Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) qualification programs.

This report does not establish regulatory position.