Skip to main content

Water And Steam Tightness Tests of Expanded Graphite Static Gaskets for Nuclear Power Plant Steam Generators

  • Chapter
Fluid Sealing

Part of the book series: Fluid Mechanics and its Applications ((FMIA,volume 8))

Abstract

We first recalled the information which can be acquired regarding the mechanical behaviour and the tightness of spiral wound gaskets (with asbestos and with expanded graphite) and gaskets made of pure expanded graphite. Tests have been carried out under a hydraulic press at ambient temperature and up to 350°C, using helium (up to 200 bar) and a mass spectrometer. We briefly explained why the results achieved are not sufficient to evaluate the gasket leak rate when a liquid is used. Other tests are consequently necessary.

We give a short description of the plant used to carry out tests with steam and water up to 350°C and 200 bar and to measure a leak rate which may vary from 10-8 g/s to 10-3 g/s and more. The procedure selected will first be indicated as well as the results obtained when using an expanded graphite gasket (ring inserted between two stainless steal rings) at various temperatures under a pressure (steam and then, water) ranging from 1 to 200 bar.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Rouaud Ch., Approche expérimentale et mathématique des problèmes d’étanchéité menés en collaboration entre un industriel fabricant de joint et un organisme d’état. In 1er Colloque International sur l’étanchéité: Application aux assemblages boulonnés. Nantes, F: 18-20 June 1986-CETIM Nantes F, pp 147–158.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Vignaud J-C, Moinereau D., Nowak H., Digat P., Comportement mécanique des joints spiralés: compression et relaxation du joint. In 1er Colloque International sur l’étanchéité: application aux assemblages boulonnés. Nantes, F: 18-20 June 1986-CETIM Nantes F, pp 167–173.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Galand P., Etanchéité des orifices de visite des générateurs de vapeur des centrales PWR 900 MW. Cas des trous de poing. In 1er Colloque International sur l’étanchéité: application aux assemblages boulonnés. Nantes, F: 18-20 June 1986-CETIM Nantes F, pp 27–34.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Vignaud J-C, Nowak H., Digat P., Sealing test of gaskets with expanded graphite for french nuclear power plants. In 12th international Conference on Fluid Sealing, Brighton, UK: 10-12 May 1989-BHRG Cranfield UK, Paper E2, pp. 243–256.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Galand P., Relaxation de différents types de joints utilisés dans les trous de visite des centrales PWR: effet de la température. In 2ème Colloque International sur l’étanchéité des assemblages statiques avec joints, La Baule, F: 18-20 September 1990-CETIM Nantes F. pp 231–242.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Vignaud J-C, Nowak H., Digat P., Caractéristiques mécaniques et etanchéité de joints en graphite expansé. In 2ème Colloque International sur l’étanchéité des assemblages statiques avec joints. La Baule, F: 18-20 September 1990-CETIM Nantes F. pp 207–218.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Vignaud J-C, Nowak H., Digat P., Essais d’étanchéité à 300°C de joints utilisant du graphite expansé. In 2ème Colloque International sur l’étanchéité des assemblages statiques avec joints. La Baule, F: 18-20 September 1990-CETIM Nantes F. pp 219–230.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Nau B.S., Controlled — compression bolted gasketed joints. In 2ème Colloque International sur l’étanchéité des assemblages statiques avec joints. La Baule, F: 18-20 September 1990-CETIM Nantes F. pp 67–80.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Birembaut Y., Bravo F., Influence of high temperature on mechanical and sealing properties of flat gaskets. In 11th International conference on Fluid Sealing, CANNES, F: 8-10 April 1987-BHRA Cranfield UK, Paper J5, pp 684–697.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Birembaut Y., Donot M., Bravo F., La caractérisation des joints pour Pétanchéité des assemblages boulonnés. In 1er Colloque International sur l’étanchéité: application aux assemblages boulonnés. Nantes, F: 18-20 June 1986-CETIM Nantes F, pp 133–145.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Birembaut Y., Bravo F., Ledauphin T., Procédures d’essais pour la caractérisation des joints utilisés pour l’étanchéité des assemblages boulonnés: le point des travaux de normalisation menés en France. In 2ème Colloque International sur l’étanchéité des assemblages statiques avec joints. La Baule, F: 18-20 September 1990-CETIM Nantes F.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Norme Française NF E 29-901-Systèmes à pression-Caractérisation des joints statiques démontables-Procédures d’essais. AFNOR Paris F.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Marchand L., Bazergui A., Derenne M., The influence of thermal degradation on sealing performance of compressed sheet gasket materials with elastomer binder: Part 1: Experimental Methods-Part 2: Analysis. In 2ème Colloque International sur l’étanchéité des assemblages statiques avec joints. La Baule, F: 18-20 September 1990-CETIM Nantes F.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Blanc B., Henry R.P., Leclerc J., Guide de l’étanchéité Volume 2: les fuites, aspects théoriques, calculs pratiques, Société Française du Vide, PARIS F.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1992 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Vignaud, JC., Digat, P., Nowak, H. (1992). Water And Steam Tightness Tests of Expanded Graphite Static Gaskets for Nuclear Power Plant Steam Generators. In: Nau, B.S. (eds) Fluid Sealing. Fluid Mechanics and its Applications, vol 8. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2412-6_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2412-6_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-5064-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-2412-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics