Title: Eddy current examination of steam generator tubes from PHWR power plants using rotating magnetic field transducer

Authors: Raimond Grimberg; Lalita Udpa; Alina Bruma; Rozina Steigmann; Adriana Savin; Satish S. Udpa

Addresses: NDT Department, National Institute of Research and Development for Technical Physics, Iasi, 47 D.Mangeron Blvd., Iasi, 70050, Romania. ' Electrical and Computer Engineering, Michigan State University, 2214E Engineering Building, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. ' NDT Department, National Institute of Research and Development for Technical Physics, Iasi, 47 D.Mangeron Blvd., Iasi, 70050, Romania. ' NDT Department, National Institute of Research and Development for Technical Physics, Iasi, 47 D.Mangeron Blvd., Iasi, 70050, Romania. ' NDT Department, National Institute of Research and Development for Technical Physics, Iasi, 47 D.Mangeron Blvd., Iasi, 70050, Romania. ' College of Engineering, Michigan State University, 2120 Engineering Building, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA

Abstract: This paper present the results obtained at examination of steam generator tubes samples made from Incoloy 800, using eddy current transducer with rotating magnetic field. The emission part creates a magnetic rotating field which induces eddy currents in the walls of tubes, the reception being made with an array of sensors. The method presents the advantages of a complete inspection of tube|s surface at one passing. To increase the precision of discontinuity localisation, a super resolution algorithm is used. The results are comparables with those obtained at the inspection with rotating probe, being obtained a good correlation, the speed of control being superior in the case of transducer with rotating magnetic field.

Keywords: pressurised heavy water reactors; PHWR; eddy current; inner transducers; rotating magnetic fields; steam generator tubes; surface inspection; nuclear power plants; nuuclear energy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2011.043225

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2011 Vol.6 No.3/4, pp.307 - 322

Published online: 20 Oct 2011 *

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