PWR Safety Relief Valves

[howkers]

How frequently are PWR Safety Relief Valves tested?
Are they generally tested in-situ or removed to a workshop?
Are they tested on the operating fluid and temperature?
Are there any code requirements relating to this?

 

[vpl]

howkers

The answer to your questions depend in a large part on what country you live in.

In the US, the frequency of testing nuclear plant safety valves is dictated by a plant's technical specifications.

Some plants do in-situ tests, others remove them and send them off to be tested.

Some plants test with system fluid, others with gas. The technical specifications usually contain the requirements.

As to there being Code requirements (assuming you mean the ASME Code or its equivalent): yes; however those should be incorporated into the plant technical specifications.

Hope this helps.

Patricia Lougheed

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