Determination of Pressure-Temperature Limit Curves Using Deterministic and Probabilistic Approaches

Abstract:

Reactor pressure vessel (RPV) is the most critical component in nuclear power plant. RPV is subjected to radiation embrittlement, which is characterized as neutron fluence-dependent reduction in fracture toughness of the material. Therefore, risk for potential failure of RPV increases as operating time and fluence level increase. To prevent the potential failure, it is requested for RPV to operate in accordance with pressure-temperature (P-T) limit curve during operation. However, it has been reported that P-T limit curve which is typically developed in accordance with the procedure in ASME code is too conservative. Therefore, in order to investigate the conservatism of current P-T limit curve and develop more realistic one, probabilistic approach based on the risk was utilized in this paper. The resulting P-T limit curve is very higher than that from deterministic approach, and can be used as alternative operation limit of the RPV, because probabilistic P-T limit curve seems to have enough safety margin for potential failure of RPV.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volumes 306-308)
• Pages: 333-338
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.306-308.333
• Online since: March 2006
• Authors: Sung Gyu Jung, In Gyu Park, Chang Soon Lee, Hyun Su Kim, Tae Eun Jin
• Keywords: Cool-Down, Fracture Toughness, Heat-up, Pressure-Temperature Limit Curve, Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics, Stress Intensity Factor (SIF)

References

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