Implications of the surry piping failure for other nuclear and fossil units

Abstract

This paper describes the key elements of an inspection plan to address utility concerns of flow assisted corrosion due to single-phase flow in carbon steel piping. The key elements of the plan are (a) where to look, (b) how to look, (c) when to look, and (d) how to respond. The plan is designed to provide utilities with the ability to predict piping thickness as a function of plant life for a given component and to assess the costs and benefits of a variety of remedy/repair options. The thrust of the inspection plan is to (a) conduct appropriate analysis and a limited but thorough baseline inspection program, (b) determine the extent of thinning, if any, and repair/replace components as necessary, and (c) perform follow-up inspections to confirm or quantify thinning and take longer term corrective actions (i.e. adjust chemistry, operating parameters, or others) as appropriate.