The research of environmental qualification for non-metallic part in safety-related active mechanical equipment in NPP

Typical environmental qualification(EQ) equipment is electrical equipment selected by 10CFR50.49, Regulatory Guide 1.89, and IEEE Std. 323 standard means mechanical equipments like pumps and valves are not contained the in the EQ program. Recently, Korean regulator(KINS) pointed out that there is no clear/related requirements to verify environmental qualification of nonmetallic components like gasket, packing, seal and O-Ring. In this paper, I'd like to introduce the environmental qualification of nonmetallic components issue and discuss the difference between qualification of electrical components and qualification of non-metallic parts in mechanical equipment. Non-mandatory Appendix QR-B of ASME QME-1(KEPIC MF) standard is recommended by U.S. NRC to qualify non-metallic components in mechanical equipment. The environmental qualification scope is asked to broaden including sub-components such as seals, gaskets, packing materials, diaphragm and lubricating fluids in the safety-related active mechanical equipment. Electrical equipment qualification by 10CFR50.49 and non-metallic components qualification by ASME QME-1 Appendix QR-B is different, mainly the internal process fluid parameters should be included in the qualification parameters In order to qualify non-metallic components, it is necessary to add up the method by the ASME QME-1 Appendix QR-B onto 10CFR50.49 / IEEE Std 323 qualification method.