Upgrading In-Service Inspection of Russian Designed Nuclear Power Reactors

Since 1991 the European Commission has launched, through the external action programmes, a number of projects that aimed at providing know-how and technological support to develop the Beneficiary country's internal capabilities in order to enhance the existing plant programmes for maintenance, In-service inspection (ISI), equipment qualification and ageing management for structures, systems and components important to safety. These projects were components of the Tacis and PHARE programmes related to the On-Site Assistance and Design Safety of VVER Nuclear Power Plants, which addressed many areas of nuclear safety, among which In-Service Inspection of the primary circuit components was an important part. Besides other issues, an in-depth assessment of structural integrity of the vital components of VVER reactors, such as reactor pressure vessel, primary coolant piping, steam generators tubes and primary collectors, was of primary concern. This paper gives an update of the PHARE, TACIS, and INSC projects dealing with In-Service Inspection of VVER NPPs, such as qualification of the In- Service Inspection and In-Service Inspection upgraded equipment for reactor pressure vessel and primary circuit loops as well as steam generator tube inspections. It details the main objectives and the results obtained.

BIETH Michel;  DUCHAC Alexander; 

2013-03-21

EDO "GIDROPRESS"

JRC57901