Tube-to-tube-sheet (TTS) welds, occurring in heat exchangers, condensers, and steam generators, are exempted from volumetric nondestructive examination, such as radiography or ultrasonic tests, due to their geometry. An approach of stricter quality control at qualification stage is adopted, apart from tests like liquid penetrant test and leak test applied to production welds. For qualification purpose, a mock up block is destructively examined for weld quality by microscopy and/or macroscopic examination. This paper shows that it is possible to carry out radiography of TTS welds using microfocal x-ray unit with back-throw type rod anode attachment, which sends radiation in nearly radial direction. It demonstrates the use of the same technique for the qualification weld block also. It further shows that the qualification weld slices can be radiographed in axial direction to enable 100% volumetric examination. Besides, it will make metallography more effective and meaningful; instead of a random section, it can then address the plane with a flaw using the help from radiography test. The paper suggests that the code adopt radiography in addition to metallography during qualification for better quality assurance.
Skip Nav Destination
dnarainy@yahoo.com
Article navigation
October 2010
Research Papers
Application of Microfocus Rod Anode in Qualification of Tube-to-Tube-Sheet Welds in Steam Generators
P. R. Vaidya,
P. R. Vaidya
Quality Assurance Division,
prvaidya@gmail.com
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
, Mumbai 400 085, India
Search for other works by this author on:
D. Narain,
D. Narain
Light Water Reactor Division,
dnarainy@yahoo.com
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
, Mumbai 400 085, India
Search for other works by this author on:
Sunil Kumar
sunil.suri@hed.ltindia.com
Sunil Kumar
Larsen & Toubro Ltd.
, Saki Vihar Road, Powai, Mumbai 400072, India
Search for other works by this author on:
P. R. Vaidya
D. Narain
Light Water Reactor Division,
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
, Mumbai 400 085, Indiadnarainy@yahoo.com
Sunil Kumar
J. Pressure Vessel Technol. Oct 2010, 132(5): 051502 (3 pages)
Published Online: August 25, 2010
Article history
Received:
August 7, 2009
Revised:
March 9, 2010
Online:
August 25, 2010
Published:
August 25, 2010
Citation
Vaidya, P. R., Narain, D., and Kumar, S. (August 25, 2010). "Application of Microfocus Rod Anode in Qualification of Tube-to-Tube-Sheet Welds in Steam Generators." ASME. J. Pressure Vessel Technol. October 2010; 132(5): 051502. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4001433
Download citation file:
34
Views
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
Investigations of In-Plane Fluidelastic Instability in a Multispan U-Bend Tube Array—Part II: Tests in Two-Phase Flow
J. Pressure Vessel Technol (April 2023)
Investigations of In-Plane Fluidelastic Instability in a Multispan U-Bend Tube Array—Part I: Tests in Air Flow
J. Pressure Vessel Technol (April 2023)
Research on the Buckling Load of Clamped Spherical Caps Under External Pressure: Analyzed by the Fourier Series Model With Initial Geometric Imperfections
J. Pressure Vessel Technol (April 2023)
Related Articles
Overview of the Impact of Ultrasonic Examination Performance Demonstration on the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
J. Pressure Vessel Technol (August,2002)
Experimental Testing of Gerotor and Scroll Expanders Used in, and Energetic and Exergetic Modeling of, an Organic Rankine Cycle
J. Energy Resour. Technol (March,2009)
Laser Array/EMAT Ultrasonic Measurement of the Penetration Depth in a Liquid Weld Pool
J. Manuf. Sci. Eng (February,2000)
Integrated Weld Quality Concept—A Holistic Design Approach for Steam Turbine Rotor Weld Joints
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (April,2016)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Overview of Section XI Stipulations
Online Companion Guide to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes
Examination
Power Piping
Examination
Process Piping: The Complete Guide to ASME B31.3, Third Edition