Welded Attachments and Hydrostatic Pressure Testing Rules for Diffusion Bonded Heat Exchangers

Abstract

Abstract The mission of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Nuclear Energy is to advance nuclear power in order to meet the nation’s energy, environmental, and energy security needs. Advanced high temperature reactor systems will require compact heat exchangers (CHX) for the next generation of nuclear reactor plant designs. A necessary step for achieving this objective is to ensure that the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III, Division 5 has rules for the construction of CHXs for nuclear service. Construction of Alloy 800H diffusion bonded Printed Circuit Heat Exchangers (PCHEs) involves multiple controlled welding processes. The primary diffusion bonding process creates a uniformly bonded PCHE body featuring a microchannel core. Secondary welding processes are needed to attach headers and nozzles to the PCHE body, forming a complete CHX. The quality of these welding processes is ensured by following the appropriate ASME Section IX weld qualification procedures. Experience in constructing both 316L and 800H PCHEs has given a set of acceptable attachment weld configurations and procedures. Headers were attached to the diffusion bonded block surface using full penetration welds, as required by Class A design. The integrity of these attachment welds was demonstrated through hydrostatic pressure testing.