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Challenges related to NDT in nuclear power plants
Nuclear power plant inspection teams and non-destructive testing companies (NDT) working at nuclear facilities play an exceptionally important role in identifying and preventing malfunctions and accidents that could impact workers and surrounding communities. In addition, comprehensive assessments are needed for outage management in nuclear power plants and to ensure cost-effective system optimization.
Performing complex component evaluations
Assessing the structural integrity of components and assemblies of nuclear power plant equipment can be challenging due to their size, geometry and reflective surfaces. In order to perform accurate inspections, teams often need more time to ensure they capture all the data they need to make informed decisions.
Archiving inspection data
More and more nuclear power plants are looking for better archiving of inspection data to minimize the frequency of inspections and allow experts to better monitor the health of parts without having to go on site. Archiving inspections also allows NPPs to prove compliance to regulators during audits, as well as validate/correct schematic drawings.
Solution: Portable 3D scanning technologies are a game changer for non-destructive testing
More and more NDT teams and in-house inspectors are opting for handheld, easy-to-use 3D scanners for a wide range of applications in nuclear power plants.
Handheld and lightweight 3D scanners make it very efficient and ergonomic to acquire measurement data for parts, regardless of where they are located in the control panel.
Rapid 3D scanning of parts and pipes, coupled with the right NDT software, can speed up data acquisition and reduce processing times to shorten schedules and limit exposure for field workers.
Simple 3D scanning technologies can help alleviate the labour shortage for inspection projects that require highly experienced and well-trained experts; Users of different skill levels can get accurate 3D measurements the first time, allowing more specialized professionals to focus on essential tasks.
The collection of accurate 3D data from scanners, despite difficult working conditions, gives inspection teams the assurance that their assessments are based on reliable and reproducible results. Non-destructive assessments (NDTs) can be performed in real time so that management teams or NDT customers have a better idea of the health and performance of their equipment, allowing for better planning and execution of maintenance.
Benefits: Accurate, fast and safe testing at nuclear power plants
Nuclear power plants and service providers that have used metrology solutions, such as Creaform's HandySCAN 3D scanner and Pipecheck software , achieve an impressive return on investment in a very short period of time.
- Safer nuclear power plant inspections: With minimal setup time and fast data acquisition, the HandySCAN 3D can speed up inspection flows, reduce time spent in the field and reduce radiation exposure.
- Easy inspection assessments: Technicians can use HandySCAN 3D in hard-to-reach areas, while ensuring consistency in the data collected. In addition, Pipecheck's intuitive interface allows inspectors to quickly identify potential issues so that corrective action can be taken proactively.
- Access to very precise data: Unlike manual measurements, the use of a 3D scanner generates the extremely high levels of accuracy, reliability and repeatability that nuclear power plant operators seek in order to make more informed decisions.
- Increased inspection capacity: With modern metrology technologies, in-house inspection teams and external non-destructive testing teams can conduct more assessments with fewer employees, which can give nuclear power plants an advantage in controlling operating costs.
Nucleom is a Canadian leader in providing comprehensive NDT services to nuclear facilities, helping them address their inspection challenges efficiently and at scale.
To facilitate inspection workflows with customers, the team acquired HandySCAN 3D scanners and Pipecheck software. The team was exceptionally pleased with the level of detail these solutions provided to characterize possible defects and failures on various pipes and reactor parts.
"We tested many different technologies and found that Creaform's solutions and support were the best"
Adam Pinard, NDT engineer and 3D scanning manager at Nucleom.
