Strategy for Assessment of WWER Steam Generator Tube Integrity

In countries operating WWER-440/1000 nuclear power plants (NPPs), there are significant differences in the eddy current inspection strategy and practice as well as in the approach to steam generator heat exchanger tube structural integrity assessment. The IAEA initiated a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) with the overall objective to improve structural integrity assessment of steam generators of WWER-440/1000 NPPs. This publication describes the main achievements of the CRP, specifically, a proven approach to steam generator integrity assessment which consists of three critical elements: degradation assessment, condition monitoring and operational assessment. This approach can provide assurance that the steam generators will continue to satisfy the appropriate performance criteria.