Degradation of Material Properties Significant for Lifetime Extension of Nuclear Power Plants

Anton Erhard; Frank Otremba

doi:10.3139/120.110106

Article

Degradation of Material Properties Significant for Lifetime Extension of Nuclear Power Plants

Anton Erhard and Frank Otremba

Published/Copyright: May 28, 2013

Published by

Become an author with De Gruyter Brill

Submit Manuscript Author Information

From the journal Materials Testing Volume 52 Issue 1-2

Abstract

The discussion about the right energy sources or alternative energy generation goes around the world, mostly in connection with greenhouse gas reduction. Therefore, some countries have started to consider extending operation of nuclear power plants. This demands an extensive plant life management as well as the knowledge of the degradation in material properties. The Basis Safety Concept (BSC) in Germany observed this circumstance. Still, lifetime extension is not an issue in Germany due to phase out of nuclear energy. Part of the BSC is the application of non-destructive examination (NDE) methods from the beginning, i.e. from component manufacture, to the end of life. The application of a NDE method to detect and size defects in components in nuclear power plants is presented. Some material properties and their degradation during increase of operation time are also in the focus of this paper.

Kurzfassung

Mit welchen Energiequellen in der Zukunft der Energiebedarf abgedeckt werden soll, wird rund um die Welt, meist im Zusammenhang mit der globalen Erwärmung und der Vermeidung von Gasen, wie z. B. Kohlendioxid, diskutiert. Aus diesem Grund haben einige Länder seit geraumer Zeit damit begonnen, die Laufzeiten ihrer Kernkraftwerke zu verlängern. Ein umfassendes Lebensdauermanagementsystem sowie die Kenntnis des Beanspruchungszustandes der Komponenten verbunden mit den Schädigungsmechanismen sind dafür die Voraussetzung. Das sogenannte Basissicherheitskonzept (BSK), wie es in Deutschland angewandt wird, berücksichtigt diesen Sachverhalt. Unabhängig davon, sind Laufzeitverlängerungen in Deutschland, aufgrund des Abkommens vom Juni 2000 zwischen der Regierung und den Energieversorgungsunternehmen zum Atomausstieg, kein Thema. Dieser sogenannte Atomkonsens wurde im Dezember 2001 in der Neufassung des Atomgesetzes verankert. Die zerstörungsfreie Prüfung (zfP) ist im BSK eine feste Größe, angefangen bei der Komponentenfertigung bis letztendlich zum endgültigen Stillstand des Kraftwerkes. Der vorliegende Beitrag zeigt an einem Beispiel den Einsatz der zfP für den Fehlernachweis (Detektion) und dessen Größenbestimmung (Sizing). Des Weiteren werden Schädigungsmechanismen, die relevant für den eingesetzten Werkstoff sind, vorgestellt.

Dr. Anton Erhard, born in 1950, studies material science with special emphasis on metal physics at the Technical University of Berlin. He is head of the Department III “Containment Systems for Dangerous Goods” at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in Berlin, and has more than 30 years experiences in developing and application of ultrasonic non-destructive testing methods. He published approximately 250 papers. In 1984, he received the Berthold Award from the German Society of Nondestructive Testing (DGZfP), and in 1985, the Achievement Award from the American Society of Nondestructive Testing (ASNT). He is a member of the German Reactor Safety Commission (RSK) as well as chairman of the German Commission for Transportation of Dangerous Goods (AGGB).

Dr. Frank Otremba (1961) is head of the Division III.1 “Dangerous Goods Packaging” at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in Berlin. After earning his PhD in the area of Numerical Methods and Fracture Mechanics at university of Rostock, he joined the utility HEW, the university of Stuttgart, and the Nuclear Power Station Brunsbüttel, before starting his current position in 2007. He has more than 18 years of experience in the nuclear field and published approximately 50 papers. He is a member of the German Reactor Safety Commission subgroup “Materials and Pressurized Components”.

References

1 M.Nissani: The greenhouse effect: An interdisciplinary perspective, Population & Environment Springer Netherlands17 (1996), No. 6, pp. 459–48910.1007/BF02208336Search in Google Scholar

2 Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, United Nations (1998)Search in Google Scholar

3 V. S.Arunachalam, E. L.Fleischer: The Global Energy Landscape and Materials Innovation, MRS Bulletin33 (2008), pp. 264–27610.1557/mrs2008.61Search in Google Scholar

4 T.Allen, H.Burlet, R. K.Nanstad, M.Samaras and S.Ukai: Advanced Structural Materials and Cladding, MRS Bulletin34, (2009), pp. 20–2610.1557/mrs2009.8Search in Google Scholar

5 Y.Guerin, Gary S.Was and Steven J.Zinkle, Guest Editors: Materials Challenges for Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems, MRS Bulletin34 (2009), pp. 10–14Search in Google Scholar

6 H.Sakasegawa, S.Ohtsuka, S.Ukai, H.Tanigawa, M.Fujiwara, H.Ogiwara, A.Kohyamad: Microstructural Evolution During Creep of 9 Cr-ODS steels, Elsevier, Fusion Engineering and Design81 (2006), pp. 1013–1018Search in Google Scholar

7 J. A.Lake: The fourth generation of nuclear power, Progress in Nuclear Energy40 (2002), No. 2002-3, pp. 301–30710.1016/S0149-1970(02)00023-9Search in Google Scholar

8 Leonard, J. Bond, T. T.Taylor, S. R.Doctor, A. B.Hull, S. N.Malik: Proactive management of materials degradation, IEEE Conference Proceedings: Prognostics and Health Management (2008), pp. 1–7Search in Google Scholar

9 Safety Reports Series No. 57: Safe Long Term Operation of Nuclear Power Plants, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (2008)Search in Google Scholar

10 Safety Reports Series No. 15: Implementation and Review of Nuclear Power Plant Ageing Management Programme, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (1999)Search in Google Scholar

11 E.Roos, K.-H.Herter, X.Schuler: Lifetime management for mechanical systems, structures and components in nuclear power plants; International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping83 (2006), pp. 756–76610.1016/j.ijpvp.2006.07.008Search in Google Scholar

12 Safety Reports Series No. 46: Assessment of Defence in Depth for Nuclear Power Plants, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (2005)Search in Google Scholar

13 British Energy: R6 Revision 4. Assessment of the Integrity of Structures Containing Defects, Gloucester (2004)Search in Google Scholar

14 G.Dobmann: NDE for material characterization of ageing due to thermal embrittlement: Fatigue and neutron degradation, Int. J. Materials and Product Technology Vol.26 (2006), No. 2006-1, pp. 122–139, ISDN: 0268-190010.1504/IJMPT.2006.008984Search in Google Scholar

15 G.Brekow, D.Brackrock, R.Boehm, M.Liebel: Quantitative Defect Sizing on Components with Different Wall Thicknesses Using UT-SAFT, 6th International Conference on NDE in Relation to Structural Integrity for Nuclear and Pressurized Components (October 2007)Search in Google Scholar

16 A.Erhard, G.Schenk, Th.Hauser, U.Völz: New applications using phased array techniques, Nuclear Engineering and Design206 (2001), pp. 325–33610.1016/S0029-5493(00)00419-2Search in Google Scholar

17 S.Mahaut, O.Roy, C.Beroni, B.Rotter: Development of phased array techniques to improve characterization of defect located in a component of complex geometry, Ultrasonics40 (2002), pp. 165–16910.1016/S0041-624X(02)00131-2Search in Google Scholar

18 A.Zimmer: Abbildende zerstörungsfreie Prüfverfahren mit elastischen und elektromagnetischen Wellen, Dissertation, Kassel University (2008), ISBN 978-3-89958-416-4Search in Google Scholar

Published Online: 2013-05-28

Published in Print: 2010-02-01

You are currently not able to access this content.

Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.3139/120.110106