ISSN: 1546-962X
CODEN: JAIOAD
Published Online: 1 April 2012
Page Count: 14

Dosimetry Assessments for the Reactor Pressure Vessel and Core Barrel in UK Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) Plant

Thornton, D. A.
Serco, Rutherford House, Quedgeley, Gloucester, Gl2 4NF,

Allen, D. A.
Serco, Rutherford House, Quedgeley, Gloucester, Gl2 4NF,

Huggon, A. P.
Serco, Rutherford House, Quedgeley, Gloucester, Gl2 4NF,

Picton, D. J.
Serco, Rutherford House, Quedgeley, Gloucester, Gl2 4NF,

Robinson, A. T.
Serco, Rutherford House, Quedgeley, Gloucester, Gl2 4NF,

Steadman, R. J.
Serco, Rutherford House, Quedgeley, Gloucester, Gl2 4NF,

Serén, T.
VTT, Technical Research Centre of Finland, Otakaari 3 K, Espoo, P.O. BOX 1000,

Lipponen, M.
VTT, Technical Research Centre of Finland, Otakaari 3 K, Espoo, P.O. BOX 1000,

Kekki, T.
VTT, Technical Research Centre of Finland, Otakaari 3 K, Espoo, P.O. BOX 1000,

(Received 20 May 2011; accepted 14 December 2011)

Abstract

Specimens for the Sizewell B reactor pressure vessel (RPV) in-service steels surveillance program are irradiated inside eight capsules located within the reactor pressure vessel and loaded prior to commissioning. The periodic removal of these capsules and testing of their contents provides material properties data at intervals during the lifetime of the plant. Neutron activation measurements and radiation transport calculations play an essential role in assessing the neutron exposure of the specimens and RPV. Following the most recent withdrawal, seven capsules have now been removed covering nine cycles of reactor operation. This paper summarizes the dosimetry results of the Sizewell B surveillance program obtained to date. In addition to an overview of the calculational methodology it includes a review of the measurements. Finally, it describes an extension of the methodology to provide dosimetry recommendations for the core barrel and briefly discusses the results that were obtained.

Keywords:
pressurized water reactor, surveillance dosimetry, reactor pressure vessel, core barrel, Monte Carlo, MCBEND

Paper ID: JAI104016
DOI: 10.1520/JAI104016
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.