Industrial endoscopes play a vital role in nuclear power plants and are important tools for nuclear power equipment maintenance, inspection and safety assurance. Their applications are mainly reflected in the following aspects：
Internal inspection of pipelines: The pipeline system in nuclear power plants is complex and the operating environment is harsh. Industrial endoscopes can penetrate deep into the pipelines to check for corrosion, cracks, blockages or foreign matter accumulation in the pipelines to ensure the integrity and safety of the pipelines.
Pressure vessel inspection: Internal inspection of key equipment such as reactor pressure vessels and steam generators to find potential problems such as weld defects, corrosion, fatigue cracks, etc., to avoid safety accidents caused by equipment failure.
Fuel rod inspection: Observe the appearance of fuel rods through an endoscope to check for deformation, damage or corrosion to ensure the reliability of fuel assemblies.
Core component inspection: Conduct internal inspection of core components such as control rods and guide tubes to assess their wear or damage and ensure the safe operation of the core.
Valve inspection: Check the sealing, corrosion or internal foreign matter of the valve to ensure the normal operation of the valve under high temperature and high pressure environment.
Pump equipment inspection: Conduct internal inspections on the main pumps and circulating pumps in nuclear power plants to detect problems such as impeller wear, bearing damage or blockage, and avoid downtime caused by equipment failure.
Heat exchanger inspection: Check whether the heat exchanger tube bundle is corroded, scaled or blocked to ensure heat exchange efficiency.
Condenser inspection: Conduct internal inspections on the condenser tube bundle to detect corrosion, cracks or sediments to avoid abnormal system pressure caused by condenser failure.
Interior inspection of containment: non-destructive inspection of the interior of the containment through an endoscope to check whether there are cracks, corrosion or foreign matter in the concrete structure to ensure the integrity of the containment.
Shielding structure inspection: internal inspection of the reactor shielding layer, biological shielding wall, etc. to evaluate their structural integrity.
Waste container inspection: internal inspection of nuclear waste storage containers to ensure that there is no leakage or corrosion in the containers and to ensure the safe storage of nuclear waste.
Waste treatment equipment inspection: inspection of pipes, valves and other equipment in the waste treatment system to avoid waste leakage caused by equipment failure.
Post-accident equipment inspection: after an accident in a nuclear power plant, industrial endoscopes can be used to quickly check the internal condition of key equipment, assess the degree of damage, and provide a basis for repair and recovery.
Leak detection: internal inspection of equipment or pipelines that may leak, quickly locate the leak point, and reduce the risk of leakage of radioactive materials.
Remote operation: Industrial endoscopes can be equipped with remote operating systems, so that inspectors can complete equipment inspections without entering high-radiation areas, reducing the risk of radiation exposure to personnel.
Automated testing: Combined with robotic technology, automated testing of endoscopes can be achieved to improve testing efficiency and accuracy.
Technical advantages of industrial endoscopes
High-resolution imaging: Provides clear internal images, making it easier for inspectors to find tiny defects.
Flexibility and operability: The endoscope probe can be bent and rotated to meet the testing needs of complex structures.
Non-destructive testing: No need to disassemble the equipment, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
Data recording and analysis: The testing process and results can be recorded for subsequent analysis and tracing.
After the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan: Industrial endoscopes were used to inspect the internal conditions of the reactor pressure vessel and assess the location and status of the melted fuel.
Regular maintenance of nuclear power plants: In the regular overhaul of nuclear power plants, industrial endoscopes are widely used to inspect equipment such as pipes, valves, and pumps to ensure the safe operation of the equipment.
The application of industrial endoscopes in nuclear power plants runs through the entire life cycle of the equipment, from installation inspection in the construction phase to regular maintenance in the operation phase, and to emergency inspections after accidents, playing an irreplaceable role. Its efficient, accurate and safe detection capabilities provide important guarantees for the safe operation of nuclear power plants.
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