Strength evaluation of support frame of the low level liquid effluent pipes of nuclear plant

Abstract

Disposal of low level radioactive liquid effluents of nuclear plant into the sea is carried out through carbon steel pipes inside a guard pipe. The treated effluents are discharged inside the sea beyond breaker zone through two disposal pipes. The disposal pipe discharges the treated effluent to two numbers of 1 m diameter pipe which goes down till sea bed. This guard pipe should be supported on top of the jetty against wind, wave, and dead loads. This study is intended to cover the design adequacy and material selection of the liquid discharge piping support configuration. Material and coating requirements of the support frame is chosen after careful evaluation of the prevailing saline environment and economic consideration. Elastomeric bearing provides necessary support & firm adherence of the support arrangement to the erected pile cap. Elastomeric bearing are easy to install and offer low maintenance. The support frame is checked for dead load, pipe load, live load, wind load, wave ¤t loads, and seismic loads. Wave and current loads were calculated based on Morison semi empirical equation. Linear elastic structural analysis of the support frame was carried out. This article provides insight to the materials used in supporting this pipelines and the basis behind the material selection. After material selection, strength evaluation of the structure is elaborately carried out for all the loads. Indian standards and API recommended practice were adopted for the strength assessment of the structure. Support arrangement is formed using trusses at different levels, spandrel girders and hangers connecting the spandrel girders. All the stresses for structural arrangement for liquid discharge pipe support are checked and found within acceptable limits.