United States criteria for repair and replacement of BWR piping and steam generator tubing

The criteria currently used by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in dealing with repairs and replacement of BWR piping and steam generator tubing are discussed and the bases for these criteria are provided. As a result of extensive cracking in BWR pipes caused by intergranular stress corrosion, a program of augmented inspection and leak testing has been instituted. Emphasis is placed on returning such piping to original design conformance either by replacement with non-susceptible material or by a combination of stress improvement and environmental control. As a result of a number of degradation mechanisms in steam generator tubes, inspection and criteria for plugging or sleeving have been instituted along with broad recommendations aimed at an integrated program for resolving steam generator tube problems. (author)