Method of providing and evaluating a mid-wall repair

Abstract

A method of repairing and inspecting a first nozzle penetrating a closed vessel. The method includes removing a portion of the first nozzle, and forming a weld between a replacement nozzle and a surface of the mid-wall of the vessel. The method further includes evaluating the integrity of the weld at the mid-wall of the vessel.

1 . A method of repairing and inspecting a first nozzle penetrating a closed vessel, comprising:
 removing a portion of the first nozzle;   forming a weld between a replacement nozzle and a surface of the mid-wall of the vessel; and   evaluating the integrity of the weld at the mid-wall of the vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein evaluating comprises performance of a liquid penetrant test of the weld. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein evaluating comprises comparing a characteristic of the weld to a characteristic of at least one of a known defective weld and a known defect-free weld. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein evaluating comprises comparing a characteristic of the weld obtained through ultrasonic inspection. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein evaluating comprises comparing at least one of an echodynamic signature including response amplitude of an ultrasonic signal and time of flight of the ultrasonic signal obtained by an ultrasonic inspection of the weld.