1984 NRC Branch annual report: Steam Generator Group Project

Program objectives are to develop validated models, based on experimental data, for prediction of margins-to-failure under burst and collapse pressures of steam generator tubing found to be service-degraded by eddy current inservice inspection. This required the research contractor, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, to obtain, house and prepare an out-of-service degraded steam generator for a confirmatory research program. This research includes: (1) validation of current and developmental nondestructive examination techniques; (2) optimization of inservice inspection procedures, sampling plan and inspection period; (3) validation of tube integrity predictive models; (4) validation of stress corrosion cracking predictive models; (5) development/optimization of tube plugging criteria; and (6) evaluation of proposed chemical cleaning and decontamination processes/procedures with respect to near-term integrity and long-term effects on corrosion, degradation and safety