Validation of different techniques for hydrogen estimation by Round Robin exercise

Full text: The determination of Heq values in the reactor operated zirconium alloy components with high degree of accuracy by various techniques is of prime importance, as it will be used in performance evaluation and life management of the components. Due to the inherent limitations in the techniques used for Heq estimation, such as Inert Gas Fusion (IGF) technique, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Hot Vacuum Extraction and Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (HVE and QMS), the Heq values will have accuracy band. Therefore to compare and validate the Heq estimation by different techniques, a systematic study was initiated which required H-charged and D-charged zirconium alloy samples. To cater such samples for the above said study, the samples of Zircalloy-2 material of different sizes were charged with Hydrogen (H) and Deuterium (D) separately at various levels of concentration and homogenized. The present paper explains the samples generated for IAEA CRR Round Robin programme, samples distribution and compares data generated in different laboratories by different techniques for validation of Heq measuring techniques for pressure tube inspection and diagnostics