Inspection systems for valves monitoring at EDF

Electricite de France (EDF) makes increasing use of valve inspection systems to guarantee safety in its pressurized water reactor plants, improve plant availability and facilitate condition-based maintenance. A portable system known as SAMIR has been developed for inspection of motor-operated valves, and is now used on EDF's 900-MW sites. For its 1300-MW units, EDF has chosen a more complete system which enables measuring thrust on the valve stem during a maneuver, using a sensor mounted on the yoke. To detect internal vale leaks, an on-site assessment has demonstrated the economic benefits of acoustic emission techniques. EDF has equipped its sites with analog leak detection systems which may soon be replaced by a digital model now being developed. (authors)