Evaluation of HFIR (High Flux Isotope Reactor) Pressure-vessel Integrity Considering Radiation Embrittlement

Evaluation of HFIR (High Flux Isotope Reactor) Pressure-vessel Integrity Considering Radiation Embrittlement PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) pressure vessel has been in service for 20 years, and during this time, radiation damage was monitored with a vessel-material surveillance program. In mid-November 1986, data from this program indicated that the radiation-induced reduction in fracture toughness was greater than expected. As a result, a reevaluation of vessel integrity was undertaken. Updated methods of fracture-mechanics analysis were applied, and an accelerated irradiations program was conducted using the Oak Ridge Research Reactor. Results of these efforts indicate that (1) the vessel life can be extended 10 years if the reactor power level is reduced 15% and if the vessel is subjected to a hydrostatic proof test each year; (2) during the 10-year life extension, significant radiation damage will be limited to a rather small area around the beam tubes; and (3) the greater-than-expected damage rate is the result of the very low neutron flux in the HFIR vessel relative to that in samples of material irradiated in materials-testing reactors (a factor of approx. 10/sup 4/ less), that is, a rate effect.

Evaluation of HFIR (High Flux Isotope Reactor) Pressure-vessel Integrity Considering Radiation Embrittlement

Evaluation of HFIR (High Flux Isotope Reactor) Pressure-vessel Integrity Considering Radiation Embrittlement PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) pressure vessel has been in service for 20 years, and during this time, radiation damage was monitored with a vessel-material surveillance program. In mid-November 1986, data from this program indicated that the radiation-induced reduction in fracture toughness was greater than expected. As a result, a reevaluation of vessel integrity was undertaken. Updated methods of fracture-mechanics analysis were applied, and an accelerated irradiations program was conducted using the Oak Ridge Research Reactor. Results of these efforts indicate that (1) the vessel life can be extended 10 years if the reactor power level is reduced 15% and if the vessel is subjected to a hydrostatic proof test each year; (2) during the 10-year life extension, significant radiation damage will be limited to a rather small area around the beam tubes; and (3) the greater-than-expected damage rate is the result of the very low neutron flux in the HFIR vessel relative to that in samples of material irradiated in materials-testing reactors (a factor of approx. 10/sup 4/ less), that is, a rate effect.

A Review of Proposed Upgrades to the High Flux Isotope Reactor and Potential Impacts to Reactor Vessel Integrity

A Review of Proposed Upgrades to the High Flux Isotope Reactor and Potential Impacts to Reactor Vessel Integrity PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) was scheduled in October 2000 to implement design upgrades that include the enlargement of the HB-2 and HB-4 beam tubes. Higher dose rates and higher radiation embrittlement rates were predicted for the two beam-tube nozzles and surrounding vessel areas. ORNL had performed calculations for the upgraded design to show that vessel integrity would be maintained at acceptable levels. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) was requested by the U.S. Department of Energy Headquarters (DOE/HQ) to perform an independent peer review of the ORNL evaluations. PNNL concluded that the calculated probabilities of failure for the HFIR vessel during hydrostatic tests and for operational conditions as estimated by ORNL are an acceptable basis for selecting pressures and test intervals for hydrostatic tests and for justifying continued operation of the vessel. While there were some uncertainties in the embrittlement predictions, the ongoing efforts at ORNL to measure fluence levels at critical locations of the vessel wall and to test materials from surveillance capsules should be effective in dealing with embrittlement uncertainties. It was recommended that ORNL continue to update their fracture mechanics calculations to reflect methods and data from ongoing research for commercial nuclear power plants. Such programs should provide improved data for vessel fracture mechanics calculations.

Impact of Radiation Embrittlement on Integrity of Pressure Vessel Supports for Two PWR (pressurized-water-reactor) Plants

Impact of Radiation Embrittlement on Integrity of Pressure Vessel Supports for Two PWR (pressurized-water-reactor) Plants PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Recent pressure-vessel surveillance data from the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) indicate an embrittlement fluence-rate effect that is applicable to the evaluation of the integrity of light-water reactor (LWR) pressure vessel supports. A preliminary evaluation using the HFIR data indicated increases in the nil ductility transition temperature at 32 effective full-power years (EFPY) of 100 to 130°C for pressurized-water-reactor (PWR) vessel supports located in the cavity at midheight of the core. This result indicated a potential problem with regard to life expectancy. However, an accurate assessment required a detailed, specific-plant, fracture-mechanics analysis. After a survey and cursory evaluation of all LWR plants, two PWR plants that appeared to have a potential problem were selected. Results of the analyses indicate minimum critical flaw sizes small enough to be of concern before 32 EFPY. 24 refs., 16 figs., 7 tabs.

Energy Research Abstracts

Energy Research Abstracts PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Power resources
Languages : en
Pages : 1468

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Book Description


Radiation Embrittlement and Surveillance of Nuclear Reactor Pressure Vessels: An International Study

Radiation Embrittlement and Surveillance of Nuclear Reactor Pressure Vessels: An International Study PDF Author: L. E. Steele
Publisher: ASTM International
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 226

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Effects of 50°C Surveillance and Test Reactor Irradiations on Ferritic Pressure Vessel Steel Embrittlement

Effects of 50°C Surveillance and Test Reactor Irradiations on Ferritic Pressure Vessel Steel Embrittlement PDF Author: Arthur F. Rowcliffe
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Charpy V-notch (CVN)
Languages : en
Pages : 25

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Book Description
The results of surveillance tests on the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) pressure vessel at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) revealed that a greater than expected embrittlement had taken place after about 17.5 effective full power years of operation, and an operational assessment program was undertaken to fully evaluate the vessel condition and recommend conditions under which operation could be resumed. A research program was undertaken that included irradiating specimens in the Oak Ridge research reactor. Specimens of the A212 grade B vessel shell material were included, along with specimens from a nozzle qualification weld and a submerged arc weld fabricated at ORNL to reproduce the vessel seam weld. The results of the surveillance program and the materials research program performed in support of the evaluation of the HFIR pressure vessel are presented and show the welds to be more radiation resistant than the A212B. An important result that may have implications for power reactors was a higher than expected Charpy V-notch shift for the surveillance materials at relatively low neutron fluences. Moreover, to obtain embrittlement (as measured by either Charpy shift or increase in yield strength) equal to that from the low flux HFIR surveillance program, the neutron fluence (>1 MeV) required in the high flux Oak Ridge Research Reactor is about ten times that experienced by the HFIR surveillance specimens. Results of irradiated tensile and annealing experiments are described as well as a discussion of mechanisms which may be responsible for enhanced hardening at low damage rates.

Effects of 50°C Surveillance and Test Reactor Irradiations on Ferritic Pressure Vessel Steel Embrittlement

Effects of 50°C Surveillance and Test Reactor Irradiations on Ferritic Pressure Vessel Steel Embrittlement PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The results of surveillance tests on the High-Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) pressure vessel at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory revealed that a greater than expected embrittlement had taken place after about 17.5 effective full-power years of operation and an operational assessment program was undertaken to fully evaluate the vessel condition and recommend conditions under which operation could be resumed. A research program was undertaken that included irradiating specimens in the Oak Ridge Research Reactor. Specimens of the A212 grade B vessel shell material were included, along with specimens from a nozzle qualification weld and a submerged-arc weld fabricated at ORNL to reproduce the vessel seam weld. The results of the surveillance program and the materials research program performed in support of the evaluation of the HFIR pressure vessel are presented and show the welds to be more radiation resistant than the A212B. Results of irradiated tensile and annealing experiments are described as well as a discussion of mechanisms which may be responsible for enhanced hardening at low damage rates. 20 refs., 22 figs., 5 tabs.

Radiation Effects on Reactor Pressure Vessel Supports

Radiation Effects on Reactor Pressure Vessel Supports PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 202

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Book Description
The purpose of this report is to present the findings from the work done in accordance with the Task Action Plan developed to resolve the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Generic Safety Issue No. 15, (GSI-15). GSI-15 was established to evaluate the potential for low-temperature, low-flux-level neutron irradiation to embrittle reactor pressure vessel (RPV) supports to the point of compromising plant safety. An evaluation of surveillance samples from the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) had suggested that some materials used for RPV supports in pressurized-water reactors could exhibit higher than expected embrittlement rates. However, further tests designed to evaluate the applicability of the HFIR data to reactor RPV supports under operating conditions led to the conclusion that RPV supports could be evaluated using traditional method. It was found that the unique HFIR radiation environment allowed the gamma radiation to contribute significantly to the embrittlement. The shielding provided by the thick steel RPV shell ensures that degradation of RPV supports from gamma irradiation is improbable or minimal. The findings reported herein were used, in part, as the basis for technical resolution of the issue.

Integrity of Reactor Pressure Vessels in Nuclear Power Plants

Integrity of Reactor Pressure Vessels in Nuclear Power Plants PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789201017093
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This publication is intended to assist nuclear utilities in optimizing the service life of nuclear power plants. It reviews the latest research on the effects of neutron irradiation on the steels and welds of reactor pressure vessels within light water cooled and moderated reactors.

Department of Energy's Isotope Production and Distribution Program

Department of Energy's Isotope Production and Distribution Program PDF Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Government Operations. Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources Subcommittee
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 332

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Book Description
Distributed to some depository libraries in microfiche.