Role of recent research in improving check valve reliability at nuclear power plants

Check valve failures in nuclear power plants have led to safety concerns as well as extensive damage and loss of plant availability in recent years. Swing check valve internals may experience premature deterioration if the disc is not firmly held open against its stop. At the present time no guidelines exist for the prediction of degradation trends and the determination of suitable inspection intervals. This research is aimed at developing a reliable quantitative wear and fatigue prediction model for swing check valves which can be used to improve the safety and reliability of their operation. Additionally, the predictive techniques can be used to augment check valve preventive maintenance programs by providing the plant engineer with quantitative and conservative estimates of damage potential for check valve internals