Input of complementary lines in BRT-CICERO^TM data bases

Topic :

Wall thining management

ABSTRACT :

In the mid-90's, when EDF started to use of the FAC prediction software BRT-CICERO^TM, only the main lines were modeled in the plant databases. These main lines are those with the highest energy and therefore with the highest level of risk in case of pipe failure. However, the introduction of small bore and/or low energy lines in BRT-CICERO^TM was identified as an important issue of improvement when EDF evaluated its own FAC surveillance strategy after the Mihama accident. Furthermore, a few ruptures on small bore piping were at the origin of production loss, which is another reason for increasing the surveillance. In 2009, 84 new lines totalizing more than 1200 pipe elements have been modeled in BRT-CICERO^TM for eighteen 900 MW units of EDF. In 2010 the update of the plant data bases continues for the other 40 units.

The following items are developed in this paper :

• The stakes and the reasons why the BRT-CICERO^TM data bases are increased,
• The risks related to the lines to be modeled,
• Phase 1 of the project : listing of all the lines of the plant susceptible to FAC,
• Phase 2 : selection of the lines to be modeled using operating feedback and specific criteria,
• Phase 3 : modeling of the lines in BRT-CICERO^TM and identification of the operating conditions to be input in the software.