Grant: Alliance Grants
University of Waterloo
$69,231.00
Improved scanning technologies for the application of high-power ultrasonic guided waves for CANDU® piping inspection
EF 2024-25
Résumé
Regular inspections are crucial for the safety and integrity of CANDU reactor pipes. Ultrasonic-guided waves are key for pipe inspections. However, current periodic ultrasonic checks face access and radiation challenges. Existing commercial equipment lacks features essential for nuclear plant settings, including high temperatures and small-diameter, intricate pipes (feeder pipes). Feeder piping, vital to the Primary Heat Transport System, suffers from wall thinning and cracking. Automated data collection platforms are needed to minimize human exposure but are underdeveloped. The main project goal is to develop a non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technology for comprehensive CANDU reactor pipe inspection, integrating three techniques: guided wave ultrasonic testing, guided wave tomography, and Lamb wave ultrasonic testing. A state-of-the-art high-power ultrasonics system and an ultra-high-sensitivity infrared camera recently acquired through a CFI grant will be used to enable long-range pipe inspection and advanced early damage detection. The robust research methodology includes numerical modelling, signal processing, high-resolution modelling of piping systems, lab experiments, and robotics for inspection. This work aims to enhance inspection efficiency, reduce radiation exposure, and elevate safety and reliability in CANDU reactors, fostering collaboration between academia and industry. The suggested approach addresses research gaps by expanding the usage of guided waves, automating data processing, forming digital models, interconnecting data, and enhancing analysis. Furthermore, it introduces for the first time two synergistic and complementary systems: high-powered ultrasonics and ultra-high sensitivity infrared imaging. This initiative sets the foundation for a portable NDE technology for inspecting pipes in nuclear reactors. It aligns with the partner, Kinectrics' initiatives, concentrating on high-powered ultrasonic guided waves and infrared imaging for examining pipes with limited access in CANDU nuclear plants.
Programme
Alliance Grants
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
Ontario, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
588208-2023
Name nom
Cascante, Giovanni G
Department département
Civil & Environmental Engineering
Organization id
33
Institution établissement
University of Waterloo
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2024
Competition year année de concours
2023
Award amount
69231
Program id
ALLRP
Program name en
Alliance Grants
Program name fr
Subventions Alliance
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
302
Area of application group en
Energy resources
Area of application group fr
Ressources d'énergie
Area of application en
Nuclear energy
Area of application fr
Énergie nucléaire
Research subject code
1000
Research subject group en
Civil engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie civil
Research subject en
Civil engineering
Research subject fr
Génie civil
Field of research list names en
Not available
Field of research list names fr
Non disponible
Socioeconomic objective list names en
Not available
Socioeconomic objective list names fr
Non disponible
Application title
Improved scanning technologies for the application of high-power ultrasonic guided waves for CANDU® piping inspection
Keywords
augmented reality; guided wave technology; high power ultrasonics; mechanical vibrations; non-destructive evaluation; numerical simulations; piping inspection candu reactor; signal processing; ultrasonic testing
Application summary
Regular inspections are crucial for the safety and integrity of CANDU reactor pipes. Ultrasonic-guided waves are key for pipe inspections. However, current periodic ultrasonic checks face access and radiation challenges. Existing commercial equipment lacks features essential for nuclear plant settings, including high temperatures and small-diameter, intricate pipes (feeder pipes). Feeder piping, vital to the Primary Heat Transport System, suffers from wall thinning and cracking. Automated data collection platforms are needed to minimize human exposure but are underdeveloped. The main project goal is to develop a non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technology for comprehensive CANDU reactor pipe inspection, integrating three techniques: guided wave ultrasonic testing, guided wave tomography, and Lamb wave ultrasonic testing. A state-of-the-art high-power ultrasonics system and an ultra-high-sensitivity infrared camera recently acquired through a CFI grant will be used to enable long-range pipe inspection and advanced early damage detection. The robust research methodology includes numerical modelling, signal processing, high-resolution modelling of piping systems, lab experiments, and robotics for inspection. This work aims to enhance inspection efficiency, reduce radiation exposure, and elevate safety and reliability in CANDU reactors, fostering collaboration between academia and industry. The suggested approach addresses research gaps by expanding the usage of guided waves, automating data processing, forming digital models, interconnecting data, and enhancing analysis. Furthermore, it introduces for the first time two synergistic and complementary systems: high-powered ultrasonics and ultra-high sensitivity infrared imaging. This initiative sets the foundation for a portable NDE technology for inspecting pipes in nuclear reactors. It aligns with the partner, Kinectrics' initiatives, concentrating on high-powered ultrasonic guided waves and infrared imaging for examining pipes with limited access in CANDU nuclear plants.
