Uncertainties Related to the Surveillance Programmes of RPV and their Impact on Lifetime Management

The Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) of LWR nuclear power plants is rated as the highest priority category 1 component in all different national rankings. The RPV is indeed considered pratically and economically un-replaceable. The fact that the RPV cannot be replaced implies that it is subjected to significant usage and degradation and it might become the element that determines the nuclear plant operational life. RPV degradation rate and changes i its mechanical properties are monitored by means of surveillance programmes. The uncertainties related to the RPV embrittlement assessment and surveillance programmes analysis are therefore important elements with high impact on the lifetime management of the RPV. In this paper the main sources of uncertainties are analysed and practical examples of RPVs surveillance are discussed. By learning more, and reducing uncertainties, important gains in plant life management safety can be achieved.

ACOSTA IBORRA Beatriz;  SEVINI Filippo;  BALLESTEROS A.;  KRYUKOV A.; 

SIMOLA Kaisa;  COJAZZI Giacomo; 

DEBARBERIS Luigi; 

2006-09-18

EC-JRC-IE

JRC33950

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC33950,