Ultrasonic and visual control systems for SUPERPHENIX steam generator controls

FRAMATOME and ANSALDO have been requested, by EDF, to develop and fabricate a new tool to perform the SUPERPHENIX (SPX) Steam Generators (SG) Ultrasonic (US) and Visual (VI) inspections. Following a convincing demonstration of suitability (1993) and a final acceptance by EDF (1996), an inspection campaign has been carried out (1997/1998), for several SG tubes. US and VI inspection of SPX SG tubes is a complex operation, on one hand for the very severe technical specifications imposed, concerning the flaw detection/sizing and the high inspection speed and, on the other hand, by unfavorable characteristics of tubes to be inspected, as regards of problems of introduction/movement into the tubes of the inspection devices (probe and electrical extension), in particular: the very important length (∼ 100 m), the tortuous geometry (helical tubes with some orthogonal bends) and significant friction of inspection devices on the tube surface (due to presence of an oxide film and corrosion products). The FRAMATOME/ANSALDO's inspection system includes: - some innovative US and VI probes, provided of a sophisticated Signal Acquisition System (developed by FRAMATOME); - a Cleaning and Gauging System of internal surfaces of the SG tubes (developed by ANSALDO); - Hydraulic Driving System, to move the inspection probes inside the tube (developed by ANSALDO). This paper presents the FRAMATOME/ANSALDO's inspection system and the synthesis of the inspection campaign of SPX SG tubes carried out in 1997/1998. (authors)