During maintenance operations in nuclear power plants, it is sometimes necessary to isolate temporarily sections of pipes. When no other mechanical device is available (floodgates, valves), the freeze sealing technique can be used. With a heat-exchanger surrounding a portion of the pipe and filled with liquid Nitrogen (−196°C), the water contained in the pipe is frozen, resulting in an ice-plug. During these operations, stresses of thermal origin are generated in the pipes, due to the thermal amplitude between the initial temperature of the pipes (40°C), and the coolant (−196°C). This is why it is necessary to study the resistance of the structure, in particular towards brittle fracture in case of the presence of a small defect in the material. The main purpose of this study, is to evaluate the maximum size of a defect acceptable, without leading to rupture of the structure while freezing. In order to reach this aim, a freezing test has been performed, and the measuresd temperatures on the surface of the tube have been used to conduct thermal and mechanical calculations. In places of maximum load, different defects have been postulated, and their nociviy has been calculated with RSEM simplified methods. This study takes place in the file concerning the justification of the cryogenic technique towards the French Nuclear Safety Authority. The evaluation of the maximum admissible defect is the first step of the demonstration, the second step will consist in studying the possible extensions to other configurations that can be met in a nuclear plant (materials, diameter, thickness), and to make a second ice-plug test in a Carbon-Manganese pipe where the maximum admissible defect has been machined, in order to show that it is resistant to the freezing with liquid Nitrogen.
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ASME 2002 Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference
August 5–9, 2002
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Conference Sponsors:
- Pressure Vessels and Piping Division
ISBN:
0-7918-4654-7
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Justification of the Use of Liquid Nitrogen to Make Ice-Plugs in Carbon-Manganese Steel Pipes for Maintenance Purposes in Nuclear Plants Available to Purchase
Clarisse Messelier-Gouze,
Clarisse Messelier-Gouze
Electricite´ De France, Moret sur Loing Cedex, France
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Christian Bre´zillon,
Christian Bre´zillon
Electricite´ De France, Moret sur Loing Cedex, France
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Andre´ Tubiana,
Andre´ Tubiana
Electricite´ De France, Noisy le Grand, France
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Gilles Rousseau
Gilles Rousseau
Electricite´ De France, Noisy le Grand, France
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Clarisse Messelier-Gouze
Electricite´ De France, Moret sur Loing Cedex, France
Christian Bre´zillon
Electricite´ De France, Moret sur Loing Cedex, France
Andre´ Tubiana
Electricite´ De France, Noisy le Grand, France
Gilles Rousseau
Electricite´ De France, Noisy le Grand, France
Paper No:
PVP2002-1349, pp. 45-50; 6 pages
Published Online:
August 14, 2008
Citation
Messelier-Gouze, C, Bre´zillon, C, Tubiana, A, & Rousseau, G. "Justification of the Use of Liquid Nitrogen to Make Ice-Plugs in Carbon-Manganese Steel Pipes for Maintenance Purposes in Nuclear Plants." Proceedings of the ASME 2002 Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference. Fatigue, Fracture and Damage Analysis, Volume 2. Vancouver, BC, Canada. August 5–9, 2002. pp. 45-50. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/PVP2002-1349
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