Journal of Welding and Joining

The Korean Welding and Joining Society (대한용접접합학회)
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Butt-fusing Procedures and Qualifications of High Density Polyethylene Pipe for Nuclear Power Plant Application

원자력발전소 적용 고밀도 폴리에틸렌 배관의 맞대기 융착절차 및 검증절차 분석

  • Oh, Young-Jin (Structural Integrity & Materials Department, Power Engineering Research Institute, KEPCO Engineering & Construction Co. Inc.) ;
  • Park, Heung-Bae (Structural Integrity & Materials Department, Power Engineering Research Institute, KEPCO Engineering & Construction Co. Inc.) ;
  • Shin, Ho-Sang (Resident Inspector Office (Kori), Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety)
  • 오영진 (KEPCO E&C, 전력기술연구소, 재료기술연구그룹) ;
  • 박흥배 (KEPCO E&C, 전력기술연구소, 재료기술연구그룹) ;
  • 신호상 (한국원자력안전기술원, 고리주재검사팀)
  • Received : 2013.12.18
  • Accepted : 2013.12.18
  • Published : 2013.12.31
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Abstract

In nuclear power plants, lined carbon steel pipes or PCCPs (pre-stressed concrete cylinder pipes) have been widely used for sea water transport systems. However, de-bonding of linings and oxidation of PCCP could make problems in aged NPPs (nuclear power plants). Recently at several NPPs in the United States, the PCCPs or lined carbon steel pipes of the sea water or raw water system have been replaced with HDPE (high density polyethylene) pipes, which have outstanding resistance to oxidation and seismic loading. ASME B&PV Code committee developed Code Case N-755, which describes rules for the construction of buried Safety Class 3 polyethylene pressure piping systems. Although US NRC permitted HDPE materials for Class 3 buried piping, their permission was limited to only 10-year operation because of several concerns including the quality of fusion zone of HDPE. In this study, various requirements for fusion qualification test of HDPE and some regulatory issues raised during HDPE application review in foreign NPPs are introduced.

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References

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