Considerations on the Problem of Aging of Nuclear Facilities

The paper presents a summary of discussions, researches and feasibility studies related to the evaluation of impact of SSC aging to the overall nuclear installation safety. The following issue are discussed : - general aspects of aging and aging management, - installation lifetime and safety objectives, - potential impact of aging to safety on the level of component, system and installation, - use of probabilistic approach for aging assessment (PSA level 1). The diagram provided below schematizes the main areas related to the aging and lifetime management. Taking into account the safety objectives specified by IAEA INSAG-12, the principal conclusions identify the following issues of safety assessment related to ageing : - limitation of installation lifetime by principal components and structures (reactor vessel, containment, primary circuit), - revision of initiating events list as well as operating limits and conditions on the basis of operational experience data and results of R&D on materials properties, - review of classification of internal and external aggressions, - development of Aging PSA.

RODIONOV Andriy; 

MATTEI Jean-Marie; 

2008-03-25

OPOCE

JRC34743

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC34743,