PROSIM DELIVERS NUCLEAR SEISMIC QUALIFICATION FOR CLASS-1 PIPING IN CRITICAL RECIRCULATION SYSTEM
ProSIM recently completed a high-value project involving the nuclear seismic qualification of Class-1 piping for a recirculation system in a nuclear power plant. The recirculation system is a vital part of the nuclear island, responsible for thermal energy transport and indirectly supporting the Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) by ensuring effective core cooling during both normal operation and transient conditions.
The project was awarded by a Tier-1 vendor of NPCIL, who approached ProSIM for its specialized expertise in seismic design consultancy and FEA engineering services. The scope included replacing existing piping with seamless SA-312 Gr. TP 316LN pipes and ASME-SA-403 Grade WP 316LN Cl-S steel fittings, while retaining critical components such as recirculation pumps, valves, snubbers, support structures, and the Secondary Steam Generator (SSG).
The main challenge lay in executing the seismic qualification in accordance with ASME Section III Division 1, which demanded comprehensive evaluation under Safe Shutdown Earthquake (SSE) conditions, thermal transients, and fatigue loading. With no previous project reference for this specific configuration, the ProSIM team developed a detailed methodology after a rigorous study of applicable ASME codes. This methodology was reviewed and approved by NPCIL prior to execution.
ProSIM’s technical team performed advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to simulate stress responses under multiple codal load combinations. The analysis accounted for service levels A through D, including dynamic seismic loads and thermal cycles. A key focus was the fatigue evaluation, where the cumulative usage factor (CUF) was found to be well below the allowable limit of 1.0, confirming the long-term reliability and safety of the newly installed components.
Although the recirculation system is not directly part of the ECCS, it plays a supporting role in maintaining reactor safety margins, particularly under postulated accident scenarios. Ensuring its seismic robustness strengthens the plant’s in-depth strategy and aligns with stringent nuclear safety standards.
The customer gained significant benefits through this engagement. ProSIM’s approach enabled safe reuse of existing components, leading to substantial savings in cost and time. The project also helped in regulatory compliance by ensuring that all documentation, analysis, and qualification processes were aligned with ASME and NPCIL expectations. Moreover, the collaborative working model promoted technical transparency and knowledge sharing with the client’s engineering team.
This successful delivery further reinforces ProSIM’s capabilities in nuclear seismic analysis, seismic qualification services, and code-based evaluation of safety-critical components. With deep domain knowledge and simulation expertise, ProSIM continues to be a trusted partner for the nuclear industry’s most challenging structural qualification needs.
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