Development of a hybrid ECT sensor for JSFR SG double-wall tubes

A new design has been adopted for the steam generator (SG) tubes of the Japan Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (JSFR) using double-wall tubes. This paper estimates and assesses the effectiveness of detecting defects in SG double-wall tubes of the JSFR by using combined high-frequency eddy current testing (ECT) and low-frequency remote field eddy current sensors. We confirm that the proposed hybrid ECT sensor is highly sensitive to small defects, fatigue cracks, and other defects even when located under support plates of tubes. The parameters of the hybrid ECT sensor are designed and optimized to detect small defects using accurate numerical simulations based on the finite element method, using an in-house developed code. The sensitivity and high performance of the hybrid ECT sensor was validated with experimental measurements. (author)