Question

7.3 Steam Generator Tube Break

(a) How would the unit operator identify a broken tube inside the Steam Generator?

Answer 1

Steam Generators are basically heat exchangers used to convert water into steam from heat produced in a nuclear reactor core Mostly they are used in pressurized water reactors between the primary and secondary coolant circuits . Basically hot water flows from the reactor vessel through U-shaped generator tubes which creates steam which in thus drives turbine / generator producing electricity .

There are different methods available to identify broken tube inside a steam generator .

applying a low voltage across the metal tube wall looking for irregularities in electrical caused due to flaws and cracks .

one can also apply for or go to SONAR or Radar technologies to detect whether tubes are broken inside or not .