Ultrasonic testing improves nuclear safety
A
Phoenix Inspection Systems product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
May 9, 2008
AMEC has spent a decade developing the hot isostatic pressing process, starting with a 100 x 100mm panel weighing less than 5kg.
A technique for testing wall panels for one of the world's first nuclear fusion reactors has been developed by Phoenix Inspection Systems.
Phoenix has successfully inspected the first full-size panel designed for use in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER).
The panel, which consists of copper alloy and stainless steel, clad with beryllium tiles, was manufactured by AMEC using a hot isostatic pressing (HIP) process.
It is designed to withstand the high temperatures and radiation flux cycling within the reactor.
AMEC has spent a decade developing the HIP process, starting with a 100 x 100mm panel weighing less than 5kg.
Its latest project has involved scaling up the process to produce a full-size panel measuring 250 x 900 x 90mm and weighing over 80kg.
Phoenix has been working with AMEC since the early days of the project to develop inspection procedures for the panels.
Karl Quirk, Managing Director of Phoenix, explained the process: "The panels contain two different types of bonds - between beryllium and copper and copper and stainless steel".
"The problem for inspection is that where bonds occur between two different metals, there is a significant indication from a good bond".
"The inspection process seeks to find signals in the region of the joint that are above what you would expect from a well-bonded interface along with other indications of weakness, such as areas of low amplitude over corners or edges where localised strain is likely to occur".
"We have been using immersion testing for the reliability of coupling it offers between the transducer and the inspection surface and the capability for complete coverage and scanning of the joint".
"Above all, it allows focussed high-frequency ultrasound to be used, which maximises the prospect of finding small defects".
"However the inspection must be carried out in oil due to the hazard of beryllium reacting with water".
Eric Rodgers, AMEC Project Manager, said: "This latest project is the culmination of a decade's work for us".
"We have been working with Phoenix for most of that time due to their expertise in overcoming complex inspection problems and developing novel tools and techniques".
The panel will now be tested at the Judith facility at FZJ in Germany using an electron beam scanned rapidly over the surface to produce 30,000 cycles of heating and cooling at a power level of 0.5MW/m2 to replicate the conditions expected in ITER.
ITER brings together Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, the Russian Federation and the USA in a joint international research and development project that aims to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion power.
ITER will be constructed at Cadarache in the South of France.
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Google Ads
Contact Phoenix Inspection Systems
Related Stories
- Cropico ohmmeter enhances unit resistance testing
- Megger supplies test equipment to training schools
- Silo-Weigh solves weighing problem at Castle Hill
- Zwick updates plastics testing machine
- SGS supervises office construction
Articles by product category
- Consultancy and Services (903)
- Machine Building (4,517)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,179)
- Engineering Design Software (12)
- 2D CAD software (200)
- 3D CAD software (1,157)
- FEA and structural analysis software (369)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (914)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (196)
- Materials design and moulding design software (151)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (258)
- Electrical design software (164)
- Publishing and documentation software (229)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (317)
- Data, document management software (310)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (568)
- File conversion software, data capture (351)
- PLM and collaboration software (649)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,361)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Precision Motors and Gears (411)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,276)
- Linear Drives and Motors (114)
- Industrial Motors (497)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,060)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,975)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,028)
- Plantwide control (1,324)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,174)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (387)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (184)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (201)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (562)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (294)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (806)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,459)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (494)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (472)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (630)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (703)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (440)
- Data loggers (422)
- Materials testing equipment (421)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (154)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (500)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,222)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,160)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (555)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (679)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (709)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (420)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (798)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (369)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (630)
-
Materials and Processing (2,963)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials and components (2,215)
- Rapid Prototyping (458)
- Materials processing and testing (285)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,093)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (562)
- Engineering Conferences (425)
- Engineering Seminars (400)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (633)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (349)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Training Courses (433)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (838)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (113)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (175)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (277)
-
Powertrain Design (3,598)
- Powertrain Design (2)
- Bearings (939)
- Chains and belts (326)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,441)
- Hydraulic Components (471)
- Lubricants (418)
-
Capital Equipment (3,387)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (468)
- Production line blowers and fans (62)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (510)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,093)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (930)
-
Sensors (7,080)
- Sensors (8)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (427)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (699)
- Pressure sensors (621)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (618)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (527)
- Linear Position Sensors (399)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (546)
- Proximity Sensors (700)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (284)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (152)
- Temperature sensors (612)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,384)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,623)
