IPSN expert appraisal programme on the chooz A 300 MWe PWR. Lessons learned by IPSN

The closure of Chooz A PWR provided an opportunity to take samples of items that had aged in situ in conditions close to those encountered in PWR in operation over a period of 140.000 hours, which is far longer than the usual time-spans of simulated laboratory tests. 4 topics have been studied: 1) effect of radiation on reactor vessel internals, 2) dissimilar metal joints of reactor coolant system: pressurizer surge line, 3) cast parts of austeno-ferritic steel: hot and cold leg primary valves, and 4) ageing of cables in high temperatures and under irradiation. The examination of the lower internals on some baffle angle bracket and core shroud screws, subjected to varying amounts of irradiation, did not reveal any cracking or corrosion, and confirmed the saturation effect between 4 and 10 dpa for the hardening of 304 austenitic steel in the low temperature range. Expert appraisal of the dissimilar metal joints on the pressurizer surge line confirmed the existence of small fabrication defects due to high temperature cracking. Expert appraisal of the 3 valve body samples from the main section of the coolant system confirmed that -) thermal ageing of the valve body on the hot leg was more advanced than that of the cold leg valve, -) the material of the valve housing on the cold leg which, in theory, was not sensitive to ageing phenomena, exhibited unexpectedly low impact strength values. As for cables, measurements confirmed that their mechanical and electrical properties remained sufficient for them to carry out their functions. (A.C.)