Surveillance programs and irradiation embrittlement research of the Loviisa nuclear power plant

Ralf Ahlstrand, Kari Törrönen, Matti Valo, Bruno Bärs

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientificpeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The surveillance programs of Loviisa 1 and 2 nuclear power plants consist of irradiations of Charpy V-notch, Charpy-size three-point bend, and tensile specimens. The specimens are located outside the core barrel. The program consists of six sets of irradiation capsules that are taken out according to a special schedule.

The results from the first surveillance tests from Loviisa 1 showed that the shift in transition temperature (both Charpy-V and crack-opening displacement) was higher than expected. These results introduced a modification to the original withdrawal schedule of the surveillance capsules. The subsequent test results confirmed the shift in transition temperature.

In addition to the normal surveillance program, new surveillance capsules have been placed into both reactors before and after the core modification including round compact tension (CT) specimens. Parallel programs to validate the reliable use of small specimens for fracture toughness measurements and a special instrumented impact tester have been conducted.

The accuracy of the fluence measurements has been improved by the implementation of some novel procedures.

To study the amelioration of radiation embrittlement, an annealing study was carried out using the broken halves of the Charpy bars from surveillance testing.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRadiation Embrittlement of Nuclear Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels
Subtitle of host publicationAn International Review
EditorsLendell E. Steele
Place of PublicationPhiladelphia
PublisherAmerican Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
Pages55-69
Volume2
ISBN (Electronic)978-0-8031-4975-5
ISBN (Print)978-0-8031-0473-0
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1986
MoE publication typeA4 Article in a conference publication

Publication series

SeriesASTM Special Technical Publication
Volume909
ISSN0066-0558

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