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NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, May-June 2015
The innovative approach will allow
irradiation to be stopped temporarily, at
any point, to apply advanced analytical
techniques in interrogating materials
properties as a function of fluence.
Samples will be analyzed to evaluate
grain boundary segregation, characterize
the evolving microstructure over time,
and determine mechanical properties,
void swelling, and IASCC resistance at
varying fluence levels.
A new model of fluence dependent
radiation damage for reactor materials is
projected to be available for validation
testing in 2020, supporting follow on
submittal for code qualification and
regulatory review. If successful, this
breakthrough technology will provide the
nuclear power industry with revolutionary
new capabilities for evaluating the
integrity of reactor internal components
and ensuring safety across extended
operating periods.
Contact: Tiangan Lian, telephone:
(650) 855-2405, email:
Digital Upgrade
Poorly executed digital upgrades
have caused plant trips and other
undesirable results that could have been
avoided. To increase the likelihood of
successful upgrades and the likelihood
that key technical issues will be
addressed early on, EPRI developed
the Digital Instrumentation and Control
Design Guide (3002002989), which
systematically and comprehensively
addresses digital technology issues
within the framework of existing plant
modification processes. The guidance
reflects the extensive experience and
lessons learned of several experienced
plant engineers.
The engineering change processes
used at existing nuclear plants are
typically based on regulations, standards,
and guidance that do not specifically
address digital technology issues.
Moreover, the aspects specific to digital
design, especially software elements,
are often not well integrated into the
overall plant design change process
and are sometimes overlooked entirely.
This can lead to inadequate treatment
of key issues, resulting in significant
unanticipated project costs and delays,
and undesired events and system
behaviors after installation, up to and
including inadvertent plant trips.
The
Digital Instrumentation and
Control Design Guide
can help improve
the degree to which the digital design
activities are integrated with the plant
modification process to ensure that the
key digital issues are properly addressed
throughout the life cycle of a digital sys-
tem. The guide parses the important digi-
tal-specific activities by engineering topic
(analysis, requirements, procurement,
human factors, testing, data communica-
tions, etc.) and organization (engineering,
operations, program management, etc.),
and offers suggested responsibilities, ac-
tivity sequencing, and interactions that
might be expected among stakeholders
during the various phases of the modifi-
cation process.
A large wall poster that accompanies
the guideline illustrates relationships
among the activities and stakeholders
using a “swimlane format” (see figure).
Theswimlanediagramshelpcommunicate
the bigger picture to stakeholders and
drive successful coordination among
participating organizations.
A user does not have to read and
digest the complete guideline to apply it.
After reading the introductory sections,
they can use the table of contents to find
specific topics of interest and go to the
corresponding sections to find detailed
swimlane figures and related materials
that explain the relevant activities and
interactions, with specific references to
more detailed information. For example,
a human factors expert assigned to a
large project could quickly go to that
section of the guideline and identify
all the activities they would be directly
or indirectly involved in during each
phase of the project and then consult
the reference materials for additional
guidance as needed.
Contact: Ray Torok telephone: (650)
855-2310, email:
.
NDE Technologies
Real time NDE will enable nuclear
plant operators to detect and mitigate
defects as welding takes place, improving
quality control and minimizing rework.
EPRI is advancing nondestructive
evaluation (NDE) technologies to allow
real time flaw detection and defect
mitigation during welding operations at
nuclear power plants. Two high value,
near term applications are targeted for
the real time inspection of dissimilar
metal welds (DMWs): in piping and
The Digital Design Guide addresses stake holder activities in the context of
the plant modification process.
Research &
Development...
