Welding defect detection in nuclear power plant spent fuel pool panels based on alternating current field measurement: experimental and finite element analysis

Abstract

The overlay panels of spent fuel pools of nuclear power plants can easily become corroded and produce micro-crack defects. Surface crack defects tend to expand vertically, horizontally and obliquely, causing damage and fracture to the overlay panels and welds of spent fuel pools. Traditional non-destructive testing (NDT) cannot complete underwater testing in real time. In order to improve the timeliness of crack detection and shorten the inspection period, research on accurate inspection technology for surface cracks in the overlay panels of spent fuel pools is carried out in this paper based on alternating current field measurement (ACFM) and the weld defect detection process for the cladding panels of spent pools is optimised. In this work, different types of artificial defect are assumed and the distortion of the magnetic field characteristic signal caused by the defects is studied. The characteristics of magnetic field signals generated in different defect regions are studied by establishing a defect electromagnetic detection model for numerical calculation. Finally, experimental and numerical results are compared and analysed. The results show that ACFM can be used to quickly and effectively inspect for cracks in the base material, weld and interface of spent fuel pool overlay panels and it has the characteristics of accuracy, high resolution, high sensitivity and low delay. The research results, which have good application value, provide technical support for electromagnetic inspection of latent cracks in field spent fuel pools and early crack warning of underwater structural defects.