SEDL / STP / STP1102-EB / STP17289S

Nuclear Power Plant Water Quality in the 1990s -- An INPO Perspective

McGaffic, VJ
chemistry evaluators, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, Atlanta, GA

Bishop, WN
chemistry evaluators, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, Atlanta, GA

Pages: 12    Published: Jan 1991

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Abstract

The decade of the 1980s saw the identification of many adverse chemistry conditions that, when recognized, resulted in dramatic improvement in water quality in the primary and secondary systems of nuclear power plants. Many of the chemistry program upgrades resulted from the need to improve system and component reliability. Severe problems were encountered in PWR steam generators such as denting, pitting, wastage, intergranular attack and stress corrosion cracking. Similarly, problems were observed in stress corrosion cracking of BWR recirculating piping. Turbine generator blade corrosion and cracking were noted in both types of power plants. Improvements were initiated by developing industry guidelines for chemistry, improving communications between utilities, and improved analytical capabilities. A comparison trend of power plant chemistry parameters is presented.