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Continuous-wave radar to detect defects within heat exchangers and steam generator tubes [electronic resource].

Published
Washington, D.C. : United States. Dept. of Energy, 2003.
Oak Ridge, Tenn. : Distributed by the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, U.S. Dept. of Energy.
Physical Description
78 pages; Computer data (1 file) : digital, PDF file
Additional Creators
Sandia National Laboratories, United States. Department of Energy, and United States. Department of Energy. Office of Scientific and Technical Information
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Summary
A major cause of failures in heat exchangers and steam generators in nuclear power plants is degradation of the tubes within them. The tube failure is often caused by the development of cracks that begin on the outer surface of the tube and propagate both inwards and laterally. A new technique was researched for detection of defects using a continuous-wave radar method within metal tubing. The experimental program resulted in a completed product development schedule and the design of an experimental apparatus for studying handling of the probe and data acquisition. These tests were completed as far as the prototypical probe performance allowed. The prototype probe design did not have sufficient sensitivity to detect a defect signal using the defined radar technique and did not allow successful completion of all of the project milestones. The best results from the prototype probe could not detect a tube defect using the radar principle. Though a more precision probe may be possible, the cost of design and construction was beyond the scope of the project. This report describes the probe development and the status of the design at the termination of the project.
Report Numbers
E 1.99:sand2003-3408
sand2003-3408
Subject(s)
Other Subject(s)
Note
Published through SciTech Connect.
01/01/2003.
"sand2003-3408"
Caffey, Thurlow Washburn Howell; Rochau, Gary Eugene; Nassersharif, Bahram; Jedlicka, Russell P.; Garcia, Gabe V.
Funding Information
AC04-94AL85000
View MARC record | catkey: 14800585