Implementation of a Real-Time Ultrasonic Saft System for Inspection of Nuclear Reactor Components

Abstract

In recent years, the Pacific Northwest Laboratory has been developing the Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique for Ultrasonic Testing (SAFT-UT) for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The program objective has been to develop and validate the SAFT-UT technology for inservice inspection of nuclear power plant components. This technique utilizes the full three-dimensional SAFT algorithm computed in the time domain. The project has included development of a field-usable, real-time SAFT-UT imaging system, and also enhancement of the SAFT-UT algorithm to achieve real-time rates. This paper discusses techniques that have been employed to achieve these goals, including a description of the system, system performance data, and a discussion of a real-time SAFT processor peripheral device for performing the computer-intensive SAFT algorithm computations. An overall view of the SAFT-UT system itself will also be discussed.

Work supported by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission under Contract DE-AC06-76RLO 1830; Dr. J. Muscara, NRC Program Monitor.