Conventional corrosion monitoring instrumentation does not meet the performance criteria demanded in modern nuclear power systems. In consequence, it has failed to find widespread use in process control instrumentation.

Two recent technological advances are combining to improve corrosion control and plant service life. The first was the development of on-line plant diagnostics and monitoring software which reappraised control information to provide operators and maintenance engineers with actionable plant condition information. This development is enhanced by the incorporation of electrochemical corrosion data obtained by the use of modern corrosion instrumentation. The corrosion instrumentation offers improved capabilities, in terms of better sensitivity, capability to detect and characterise localized corrosion and ability to function in very low conductivity solutions (e.g. feedwater and condensates).

The philosophy and approach employed in recent developments are presented. A summary of the operational, safety and cost benefits to be gained is also given. It is considered that the approach could mark the way for plant and materials performance improvements for the next 20 years and beyond.

Subject
Costs, Materials, Nuclear power, Degradation, Corrosion rate, Electrochemical noise, Instrumentation, Equipment, Health, safety, and environment, Corrosion protection, Corrosion monitoring, Maintenance, Corrosion mechanisms
Keywords:
corrosion monitoring, nuclear, diagnostics
© 1993 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1993
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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