ROBOTIC INSTALLATION OF PWR STEAM GENERATOR NOZZLE DAMS

THE MANUAL INSTALLATION OF NOZZLE DAMS INSIDE THE PRIMARY CHANNEL HEAD OF PWR STEAM GENERATORS IS ONE OF THE MOST RADIATION INTENSIVE TASKS WHICH MUST BE UNDERTAKEN DURING A NUCLEAR PLANT REFUELING OUTAGE. LIMITED SPACE ON STEAM GENERATOR PLATFORMS, NARROW (16 IN. DIAM) ACCESS OPENINGS INTO THE CHANNEL HEAD, AND EXTREMELY HIGH RADIATION LEVELS (UP TO 50 R/HR) MAKE THIS ACTIVITY DANGEROUS, TIME-CONSUMING, AND VERY COSTLY. THESE FACTORS HAVE DIRECT IMPACT ON CRITICAL PATH SCHEDULES, PLANT ALARA OBJECTIVES, AND OVERALL PLANT OUTAGE BUDGETS. AUTOMATING THIS PROCESS THROUGH THE USE OF A ROBOTIC DEVICE WOULD GREATLY REDUCE MANY OF THE NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF NOZZLE DAM INSTALLATION. THIS PROJECT WILL ASSESS THE TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY OF, AND DEVELOP PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS FOR A ROBOTIC DEVICE CAPABLE OFREMOTE INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL OF STEAM GENERATOR NOZZLE DAMS, WITHOUT THE NEED FOR HUMAN ENTRY INTO THE CHANNEL HEAD.