The Steam Generator Reference Book

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Leadership in Electrification
through Global Collaboration R E P 0 R T S U M M A R Y
Steam Generator Reference Book, Revision 1
Volume 1
The Steam Generator Reference Book documents the state of the art
in PWR steam generator technology, providing a comprehensive
source for operators, owners, and designers of PWR nuclear power
plants. The book summarizes pertinent steam generator operating
issues and provides recommendations to improve operational effi-
ciency. Information in the book represents 15 years of research and
development activity over the course of several hundred research
projects involving PWR steam generator issues.
INTEREST CATEGORIES
Steam generator reliability
Nuclear component
. reliability
uclear plant operations
and maintenance
Advanced light water
reactors
KEYWORDS
Nuclear steam generators
Component reliability
Corrosion
Water chemistry
Maintenance
BACKGROUND In 1977, EPRI established the Steam Generator Project Office in
the Nuclear Power Division to manage research and development (R&D) leading to
resolution of operational challenges associated with PWR steam generators. Under
the charter of the Steam Generator Owners Groups I and II followed by the Steam
Generator Reliability Project, EPRI staff worked on this project in conjunction with
participating utilities. The results of this work have been documented in several
hundred EPRI reports and papers. Additionally, research results from international
associates have been incorporated with EPRI and U.S. utility results. Altogether,
these activities have resulted in a significant increase in steam generator avail-
ability, and in a reduction in lost capacity due to forced outages.
OBJECTIVE To integrate and summarize current PWR steam generator technol-
ogy; to recommend design, operating, and maintenance improvements that will
increase plant availability and life.
APPROACH EPRI editors arranged the R&D results by operational issue and
assigned EPRI staff and key consultants/contractors to collect, organize, and write
chapters relating to each issue. Specifically, chapters in the Steam Generator
Reference Book address each of the known and anticipated steam generator
challenges and the factors affecting them. Included are causes of steam generator
unavailability as well as possible actions to minimize problems. For ease of
retrieval, recommendations from all chapters are listed in Chapter 4. Each area/
issue has been critically reviewed by the editors, EPRI staff, and other experts in
the field.
RESULTS The Steam Generator Reference Book summarizes options'and rec-
ommendations for improving the operating life of PWR steam generators. Options
will be utility specific and will depend on such factors as the age of the plant, design/
construction, plant siting, and utility policies. The book emphasizes a variety of
damage forms, addressing environmental factors likely to accelerate or inhibit/
control damage initiation and growth. Recommendations describe modifications to
water chemistry control, corrosion inhibitor use, alloy selection, and nondestructive
examination (NDE) methods. Bibliographies have been collected and organized for
each operational issue.
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