Condition base maintenance for nuclear power plants with regards to ageing management

Ageing management of plants is a multifaceted issue where materials along with the degradation mechanism form one of the most important factors. Condition monitoring techniques and periodic inspection programme allow detection, identification and evaluation of the degradation of structures, systems and components at the very incipient stage so that the degradation can be attended and timely mitigatory actions initiated. Non-destructive examinations as part of condition monitoring play a key role in the health assessment and ageing management in NPPs. It is intended to discuss in this paper an overview of condition monitoring techniques currently in use and the efforts for the remnant life analysis as well as the refurbishment in Indian nuclear power plants. (author)