Why is Surveillance Capsule Testing Important?
The Applied Technical Services Family of Companies (FoC) offers surveillance capsule testing services to monitor the long-term integrity of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) materials. In nuclear reactors, components are continuously exposed to neutron irradiation and high temperatures, altering the mechanical properties of essential materials over time.
Nuclear operators use surveillance programs to monitor material degradation that can impact reactor safety and compliance. Since reactor pressure vessels are irreplaceable, proactive monitoring is essential to ongoing service. Surveillance capsules containing material specimens are placed in reactors for later testing to assess irradiation effects, such as embrittlement.
Maintaining Reactor Material Integrity and Safety
Utilities, OEMs, and research organizations depend on ATS for surveillance capsule testing services to maintain safety and data reporting for regulatory compliance. We offer extensive surveillance capsule testing services throughout the entire surveillance program lifecycle. Our specialists adhere to industry standards to assess irradiated specimens, providing accurate results. By analyzing material property changes against baseline data, they evaluate radiation-induced degradation, aiding clients in operational and safety decisions. We test various materials used in reactor construction, including base metals, welds, and heat-affected zones.
Our surveillance capsule testing capabilities support a variety of analyses and applications, including but not limited to:
- Charpy Impact Testing (ductile-to-brittle transition evaluation)
- Tensile Testing (strength and ductility assessment)
- Fracture Toughness Testing
- Neutron Transport Analysis
- Embrittlement Trend Evaluation
- Post-Irradiation Examination (PIE)
- Hot Cell Testing
- Capsule Processing
- Specimen Handling and Storage
- Pressure Temperature (P-T) Curve Calculation
Regular retrieval and analysis of capsules evaluate neutron-induced damage to the RPV, aiding material behavior predictions and overall structural integrity. We measure Charpy impact energy and use instrumented striker technology to gather load-deflection data, enabling direct measurement of fracture toughness. This technology can reduce margin calculations for PT curves.
Supporting Safe and Reliable Surveillance Capsule Testing Applications
Surveillance capsule testing is crucial for nuclear safety management, as mandated by 10 CFR 50 Appendix H and ASTM E185. Nuclear plants must establish a Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) surveillance program from the start. Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) typically use three capsules, while Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) use five, positioned near the vessel’s inner surface. These capsules contain neutron dosimeters and specimens to monitor the integrity of the reactor’s pressure vessel over time.
ATS operates under an ISO 9001:2015-registered quality management system, with multiple ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditations. We understand the importance of compliance with organizations such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Our experts conduct a comprehensive surveillance testing program under a strict radioactive materials license from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to help ensure that our data reports align with strict nuclear industry standards.
Excellence Across Industries
We address our clients’ complex needs by utilizing the capabilities and technical expertise of our nationwide network. Our surveillance capsule testing services benefit various organizations in the nuclear sector, including but not limited to:
- Nuclear power generation
- Reactor OEMs and Engineering Firms
- Government and National Laboratories
- Research and Test Reactor Facilities
- Advanced Reactor and SMR Developers
Contact Us
Our practices are rooted in partnership. If your organization requires surveillance capsule testing services, contact ATS today to request a free quote via the webform above or by calling us directly at +1 (888) 287-5227.
