Condition monitoring of exchange towers of heavy water plant during hydrotesting by acoustic emission technique

摘要: This paper presents results of acoustic emission (AE) testing carried out during hydrotesting cold and hot exchange towers a heavy water plant. Point type defect indications were observed in certain locations ultrasonic inspection the towers. Acoustic monitoring was to determine nature these defects, ie whether defects are growing or not. The pressurised maximum pressure 26.5 kg/cm 2 27.8 , respectively, with holds at different pressures. emissions picked up using sensors placed selectively areas interest where showed defect-like some critical areas. AE events first pressurisation both attributed micro yielding. No significant detected from either tower hold periods repressurisation. confirmed that there is no extraneous noise severe regions monitored by sensor arrays nearby individual sensors. combined techniques structural integrity supported returning service for continued operation.