NDE and monitoring of APWRs

This paper discusses current codes and practices for the inspection and monitoring of the primary circuit of European pressurized-water reactors (PWRs). The first part of the paper makes a general comparison of the codes covering the inspection and monitoring of PWRs in France, Germany and the UK (for Sizewell B). The possibilities ofcode harmonization and the current status ofperformance demonstration are briefly discussed. The second part of the paper examines some generic inspection issues for major primary circuit components to improve inspectability. The benefits of ray-tracing ultrasonic beams in complex nozzle designs is described. The third part of the paper describes current practices for monitoring primary circuit components in-service and discusses possible advanced systems for improving the scope and capability of monitoring.