Seminar: Qualification of Equipment for Use in a Nuclear Power Generating Station

Abstract:

Equipment that has been identified as safety related in a nuclear power generating station must go through a rigorous qualification test program to demonstrate the ability to perform the safety function during the normal life of the plant and under design basis accident conditions.  The test programs are required to be designed to simulate all significant aging mechanisms that may occur over the qualified life of the equipment, including the design basis accident conditions.  Significant aging mechanisms that may degrade the equipment such that it is not able to perform its safety function include normal radiation dose, ambient pressure and temperature, mechanical cycles, thermal aging, pressurization cycles, in-plant vibration, electrical loading, relative humidity and power surges.  The aged test specimen shall then be subjected to a design basis event, such as seismic, high-energy line break or loss of coolant, which may include chemical spray and submergence.  Once the equipment successfully passes the test program, it is then certified for use in a nuclear power generating station in the locations where the conditions may be present.

About the Speaker:

Marie Nemier received her Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York and Masters of Science in Electric Power Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. For twenty years, Nemier has been a member in various organizations including, but not limited to, the IEEE Standards Association, the IEEE Power & Energy Society, the IEEE Power System Relaying Committee, and the IEEE Nuclear Power Engineering Sub-Committee 2 on Qualification. Her involvement with the IEEE Working Groups includes revisions made to IEEE C37.98, IEEE C37.105 and IEEE 344. She is currently the chair of IEEE C37.98, which was recently revised, and the technical leader for the IEEE 344 technical topic "Maintaining Seismic Qualification."  She has also been a project manager and technical author for the EPRI SQURTS seismic program since 1997. Nemier is currently the Director of Operations of Commercial Grade Dedication and Equipment Qualification at QualTech NP in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Hosted by Professor Henry Spitz (The University of Cincinnati)