• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.191-199
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• 2000

In this paper, a numerical analysis using the finite element method (FEM) is presented which models the eddy current testing (ECT) of tubes with 3-dimensional defects. For the description of 3-dimensional eddy current problems, the governing equation is derived from the Maxwell's equations. The 3-dimensional FEM formulation with hexahedral elements is carried out using the Galerkin weighted residual method. The INCONEL 600 steam generator tube with inner and outer diameter defects is adopted for the numerical analysis, and the ECT signal, which is the trajectory of the probe impedance, is calculated. For the verification of the numerical analysis method, results of numerical calculations and experiments are compared and they show good agreements. Based on this verification, several defect signals are predicted and their characteristics are investigated with the variation in the defect depth and the circumferential angle of the defect.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.426-432
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• 1999

A plus-point eddy current test(ECT) probe was developed to examine the defects on the welds of pumps, valves, and pipings which are the major components of the electric power plants, non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques for detecting and sizing the flaws were studied adapting this probe. Differential plus-point ECT probe is consists of two "I"-type coils crossed each other and has an advantage having a small influence on the sensitivity by lift-off variation to the conventional types of probe. The specimens with crack-like electro discharge machining(EDM) notches on the weld of type 304 stainless-steel were fabricated in order to evaluate the plus-point ECT probe response to the flaws. NDE techniques to detect and size the flaws and estimate the flaw type were established with this specimens.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.156-161
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• 1997

The eddy current probe was designed for the test of fin tubes that have uneven outer and inner surfaces to enhance the efficiency of heat emission. Because of the surface roughness of the fin tube, it needs much care to detect flaws in the tube employing eddy current test(ECT). We made ECT probes with different coil lengths and performed eddy current test using these probes for artificially flawed specimens. By the fast Fourier transform and digital filtering, signals from these probes were processed to characterize frequency spectra. From the analysis of eddy current signals and their frequency spectra, we concluded that, for the effective testing of the tubes with the fins of 1mm pitch, 4mm coil length gave the highest S/N ratio.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2002.08a
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• pp.47-51
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• 2002

ECT(eddy currentign testing) is very effective technique to detect a flaw within a conductor. Co-based amorphous wire was used as a sensor head. The wire has almost 0 magneto-striction and high permeability. An uniform magnetic field was applied to 1mm thick copper plate and $25{\mu}m$ thick aluminum sheet conductor using spiral typed coil The size of the coil has $40mm{\times}40mm$ outer width and $8mm{\times}8mm$ inner width. The copper plate and aluminum sheet has 0.5mm and 0.1mm wide gap, respectively. The frequency range of applied field was 100kHz-600kHz. The induced voltage difference of 2.5mV was obtained in the maximum voltage and minimum one measured across the gap of the 1mm thick conductor. In the case of aluminum sheet, 0.4mV was obtained. From this results, the effectiveness of Co-based amorphous wire was confirmed in the ECT technique.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 1996

The eddy current test(ECT) probe of differential encircling coil type was designed and fabricated, and the optimum condition of ECT was derived for the examination of the irradiated fuel rod. The correlation between ECT test frequency and phase & amplitude was derived by performing the test of the standard rig that includes inner notches, outer notches and through-holes. The defect of through-hole was predicted by ECT at the G33-N2 fuel rod irradiated in the Kori-1 nuclear power reactor. The metallographic examination on the G33-N2 fuel rod was Performed at the defect location predicted by ECT. The result of metallographic examination for the G33-N2 fuel rod was in good agreement with that of ECT. This proves that the evaluation for integrity of irradiated fuel rod by ECT is reliable.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 1998

In nuclear fuel manufacturing process, end-closure welding has long been recognized as requiring very high integrity. In this basic study, ECT(eddy current testing) method for end-closure welding has been developed to detect end cap weld discontinuities for nuclear fuel safety. In order to improve the inspection reliability, the maximum scanning speed and the maximum frequency is investigated for end-closure welding inspection. The bandpass filter(0-250Hz) is used for removing noise effects. This study shows that ECT method is effective and sensitive for the detection of small defect(0.35mm diameter).

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.16-26
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• 1988

In the in-service inspections for the steam generator tubing of the nuclear power plants by the Eddy Current Testing, the ECT signals are evaluated by their phase. If oxidized copper sludge is piled up in the secondary side, however, big sludge signals occur in large quantities which originate from copper layers forming in the sludge piles due to the pitting mechanism of the steam generator tubing by $Cu^{2+}$, and modulate the defect signals, causing the difficulty in the defect detection. In this research, sludge specimens were prepared considering the formations of the sludge signal sources and multi-frequency ECT mixing experiments by different choices of the mixing standards were performed. The results were found to be 5 to 30% of the tube wall thickness over-estimated. Experiments using the ring-type mixing standards showed the least errors of all, while those with the mixing standards nearing the sludge conditions brought larger errors as a result of the influence of the interference between the defect and the copper layers.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2017

Eddy current array (ECA) technology provides the ability to electronically scan without mechanical scanning for a footprint of probe that consists of several eddy current coils arranged side-by-side and two dimensionally. Compared to single-coil eddy current technology, the ECA technology has a higher inspection speed and reliability because a large area can be covered in a single-probe pass and the obtained images can facilitate data interpretation. In this study, we developed an eddy current array probe with $2{\times}16$ coil arrays and a multiplexer that can select transmit-receive coils sequentially and operate in transmit-receive mode. Surface inspection was performed using this probe for specimens that had various flaws and the characteristics of transmit-receive mode ECA technology was studied through an analysis of the obtained eddy current signals and C-scan images.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.228-232
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• 2005

The Korea Electric Power Research Institute (KEPRI) has developed performance demonstration programs for non-destructive testing personnel who analyze ECT(eddy current testing) data for steam generator tubing since 2001 The purpose of these performance demonstration programs is to ensure a uniform knowledge and skill level of data analysts and contribute to safe operation of nuclear power plants. Many changes have occurred in non-destructive testing of steam generator tubing such as inspection scope, plugging criteria and qualification requirements. According to the Notice 2004-13 revised by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), the analyst for steam generator tubing shall be qualified as the qualified data analyst (QDA), and the site specific performance demonstration (SSPD) program shall be implemented. KEPRI developed these performance demonstration programs and they are being successfully implemented. The analyst's performance is expected to be improved by the implementation of these programs.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2007

The bobbin probe examination is basic and the important method among other ECT techniques for the steam generator tube integrity assesment that is practiced during each plant outage. The bobbin probe is one of the essential components which consist of the whole ECT examination system, and provides us a decisive data for the evaluation of tube integrity in compliance with acceptance criteria described in specific procedures. The selection of examination probe is especially important because the quality of acquired ECT data is determined by the probe design characteristics, such as geometry and operation frequency, and has enormous effects on examination results. In this study, An optimal differential bobbin probe is designed for the steam generator tube inspection in nuclear power plants(NPPs). Based on the test results for electrical and ECT signal characteristics, the prototype bobbin probe satisfies all the criteria.