Acoustic Emission Response to Erosion-Corrosion and Creep Damage in Pipeline Systems

Abstract

Pipeline system failures confirm that special attention must be paid to the main components of nuclear power plants in particular. One of the significant degradation factors in terms of integrity and residual life of these components is erosion-corrosion in piping systems and creep in high pressure pipelines of thermal power plants. This article deals with analysis of a set of steel samples with different degrees of degradation using acoustic emission method based on detection of elastic-stress waves in a material. Time domain and frequency domain characteristics of acoustic emission signals generated by different creep mechanisms are analyzed. The main task is to find a relationship between crack creation and propagation and acoustic emission response. Part of the solution is also the design and implementation of a diagnostic method for operation monitoring of the deterioration of the high-pressure piping systems at high temperature. The benefit should be a significant reduction in the risk of damage to important components and reduction of the probability of damaging pipe wall integrity potentially sensitive to erosion-corrosion.Pipeline system failures confirm that special attention must be paid to the main components of nuclear power plants in particular. One of the significant degradation factors in terms of integrity and residual life of these components is erosion-corrosion in piping systems and creep in high pressure pipelines of thermal power plants. This article deals with analysis of a set of steel samples with different degrees of degradation using acoustic emission method based on detection of elastic-stress waves in a material. Time domain and frequency domain characteristics of acoustic emission signals generated by different creep mechanisms are analyzed. The main task is to find a relationship between crack creation and propagation and acoustic emission response. Part of the solution is also the design and implementation of a diagnostic method for operation monitoring of the deterioration of the high-pressure piping systems at high temperature. The benefit should be a significant reduction in the risk of damage to important components and reduction of the probability of damaging pipe wall integrity potentially sensitive to erosion-corrosion.