Review Of Assessment Methods Used In Nuclear Plant Life Management

This report presents a review of assessment methods used in plant life management of nuclear power plants. The report has been produced jointly by EG2 (Integrity Assessment) and EG3 (Lifetime Evaluation) of NULIFE. Its scope is confined to the methodology and procedures used in safety analysis of nuclear pressure vessel components to provide assurance of structural integrity. The report is based on a review of information provided by organizations contributing to NULIFE EG2 and EG3, together with some additional material provided on the basis of in-kind contributions.
• The report is the result of the active collaboration of professional scientists and engineers from 16 organizations (and as such has helped facilitate the Integration Process during the initial phases of NULIFE)
• The report considers integrity assessment and lifetime management issues across the range of NPPs currently operating in EU Member States (PWR, WWER, BWR, AGR, CANDU and RBMK) (thus facilitating common understanding across a range of PLIM issues)
• The report provides numerous examples of the application of good practice / best practice methodology at national level (further facilitating common understanding)
• The report’s Appendices collectively provide a valuable source of information on numerous aspects of plant life management (thereby contributing knowledge preservation and management)
• The report represents an important resource for the purpose of producing future NULIFE procedures and best practice advice.

Lastly, it should be noted that the report can be regarded as a “living document”, that is to say it is foreseen that it could be usefully updated at appropriate intervals during the course of NULIFE time. It could for example be used in the road mapping process in NUGENIA.