scholarly journals LARGE CLOSED-CYCLE WATER REACTOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. DEVELOPMENT OF REACTOR COOLANT SYSTEM

1964 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Cordle
Keyword(s):  
Research And Development ◽  
Program Development ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Closed Cycle ◽  
Water Reactor ◽  
Reactor Coolant ◽  
Coolant System

Thermal Fatigue of Pressurized Water Reactor Coolant System Loop Drain Line Down Horizontal Elbow

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Zou ◽  
Brian Derreberry
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Fatigue ◽  
Operating Experience ◽  
Fatigue Cracking ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Pressurized Water Reactor ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
Water Reactor ◽  
Thermal Transients ◽  
Reactor Coolant ◽  
Coolant System

Abstract Thermal cycling induced fatigue is widely recognized as one of the major contributors to the damage of nuclear plant piping systems, especially at locations where turbulent mixing of flows with different temperature occurs. Thermal fatigue caused by swirl penetration interaction with normally stagnant water layers has been identified as a mechanism that can lead to cracking in dead-ended branch lines attached to pressurized water reactor (PWR) primary coolant system. EPRI has developed screening methods, derived from extensive testing and analysis, to determine which lines are potentially affected as well as evaluation methods to perform evaluations of this thermal fatigue mechanism for the U.S. PWR plants. However, recent industry operating experience (OE) indicate that the model used to predict thermal fatigue due to swirl penetration is not fully understood. There are limitations with the EPRI generic evaluation. In addition, cumulative effects from various thermal transients such as the reactor coolant system (RCS) sampling and excess letdown may also contribute to the failure of RCS branch lines. In this paper, we report direct OE from one of our PWR units where thermal fatigue cracking is observed at the RCS loop drain line close to the welded region of the elbow. A conservative analytical approach that takes into account the influence of thermal stratification, in accordance with ASME Section III Class 1 piping stress formula, is also proposed to evaluate the severity of fatigue damage to the RCS drain line, as a result of various transients. Finally, recommendations are made for future operation and inspection based on results of the evaluation.

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