System for inner surface inspection of nuclear reactor pressure vessel

Demands are formulated on equipment used for periodical inner surface inspection of nuclear reactor pressure vessels, based on experience with the operation of the Reactortest TRC and on other information and data from the literature. The principal experience is that gained by personnel of the SKODA enterprise in 21 inspections of pressure vessels in Czechoslovak and foreign nuclear power plants. As concerns the Reactortest TRC system it was found that electrostatic discharges due to dry air in the power plant have an adverse effect on the electronic equipment. Also adverse was the increased level of industrial interference and interference caused by the drives of manipulators. As concerns the mechanical parts of the system the requirement was voiced that the entire assembly be performed outside of the reactor vessel. The decision was taken to develop at the SKODA works a system for inspecting pressure vessels from the inner surface. The system was given the name SKIN. (Z.M.). 1 fig., 3 refs