Aspects regarding detachment of pressure tube end fitting rolled joint by using eddy current heating

The paper presents a brief description of detachment solutions for pressure tube-end fitting rolled joint, by using eddy current heating. It also points out the necessary technological requirements. Two detachment procedures are discussed. It is shown that the equipment required to apply the first detachment procedure of the rolled joint is more difficult to size and execute but offers a decrease of the detachment time of the damaged fuel channel, and of the exposure dose, respectively. On the other hand, the equipment required to apply the second detachment procedure of the rolled joint is easier to size and produce but it does not offer a decrease of the intervention time and exposure dose. Both procedures and equipment offer the opportunity to re-use detached end fitting. It is concluded that the second variant is easier to perform as the drawbacks are not related to the equipment itself. Also, it is argued that for tests, calibrations and licensing it is necessary to build and qualify a test bench for rolled joints. (authors)