Careers Flow-Accelerated Corrosion Control
Extend Cross-Under Piping Life Without Major Replacement
As nuclear plants pursue longer operating lives, managing flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC) and erosion in aging steam systems becomes increasingly important. At Ringhals Units 3 and 4 in Sweden, high-velocity wet steam had caused FAC and erosion in cross-under piping, raising concerns about wall thinning and long-term reliability. The plant selected HVTS® cladding to protect vulnerable areas, extend piping life and preserve asset integrity without the schedule impact of major pipe replacement.
The plant’s objective was to preserve asset integrity while avoiding the operational and schedule impacts associated with full pipe replacement.
Flam001
Select A Practical Alternative To Replacement
A partial HVTS® cladding trial completed in 2009 provided valuable long-term performance data.
During a comprehensive life-extension assessment in 2018, Ringhals evaluated several options, including:
- Full pipe replacement
- Weld overlay repairs
- HVTS® cladding
The original cross-under piping had been protected using an earlier-generation flame spray cladding process, which had provided decades of service. Building on that proven approach, Ringhals selected modern HVTS® cladding to support the next phase of long-term operation.
HVTS® cladding was selected as the preferred solution because it enabled long-term protection of the existing assets without extending the planned outage, unlike conventional replacemen
Target The Areas Most Vulnerable To FAC
Inspections identified degradation concentrated around turning vanes and other high-velocity steam regions where FAC and erosion were most active.
A structured inspection and assessment program was established to prioritize the most critical locations and align mitigation work with planned outage schedules.
Protect Critical Piping Without Extending Outages
Approximately 8,000 ft² of cross-under piping per unit required treatment.
The project was executed over four years, with annual outage scopes ranging from 850 to 3,000 ft².
Original cladding was removed where required and replaced with new HVTS® cladding.
Key Outcomes
“The Ringhals team needed a solution that supported long-term operation without introducing the disruption of major pipe replacement. By targeting the highest-risk areas and aligning work with planned outages, they were able to protect critical assets while protecting time on grid.”
– Victor Aaröe-Holm, Nuclear Corrosion Specialist, IGS Flamsprutarna
Enable Long-Term Asset Life Extension
By combining inspection, condition assessment, and phased HVTS® cladding applications, Ringhals established a practical strategy for managing nuclear flow-accelerated corrosion risk while supporting long-term operation of critical steam assets.
Protected critical steam piping supported long-term operation without extending planned outages.
That’s Asset Vitality.
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Discuss Your PWR Corrosion Challenge with an IGS Expert
Managing flow-accelerated corrosion, erosion or aging steam piping? IGS can help evaluate where HVTS® cladding may support long-term asset integrity while minimizing outage impact.