Analysis and Performance Evaluation of Casting Inclusions in the Reactor Coolant Pump Casing of Nuclear Power Plant

¹ China Nuclear Power Engineering Co., Ltd., Shenzhen of Guangdong Prov. 518124, China
² Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute Co., Ltd, Shenzhen of Guangdong Prov. 518120, China

^* Corresponding author: luoxiaohui1985@126.com

Abstract

The casting quality of the coolant pump casing of the nuclear power plant reactor is directly related to the operational reliability and safety of the nuclear main pump, and plays a key role in the integrity of the pressure-bearing boundary of the reactor primary loop. In this paper, aiming at the low impact performance of the sample during the casting process of the main pump casing of a nuclear power plant, through using failure analysis tools like fishbone diagram from multiple dimensions such as material selection, design and technology, melting analysis, pouring process, riser design, and heat treatment process, and combining with metal macro-fracture analysis and micro-electron microscopy scanning methods for cause analysis, finally, it was found that the basic reason for the low impact performance of the pump shell is that the secondary inclusions appear on the fracture of the sample during the solidification of the molten steel. Using test-retest inspection and finite element mechanics simulation analysis, the comprehensive evaluation of the impact performance of the sample was obtain, which provides an effective solution for the analysis and evaluation of casting inclusions in water pumps of nuclear power plants, and also provides an important reference for the structural optimization and equipment research and development of water pump equipment of nuclear power plants.