MTA-MA-001 - Revision history

Colton Smith: Revision 0 Reviewed by Monica Hurley

2026-03-17T12:45:18Z

Revision 0 Reviewed by Monica Hurley

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 {{DISPLAYTITLE:Gas Void Detection via Wireless Ultrasonic Monitoring - MTA-MA-001}}
 {{MTATemplate||
 | Date |12/15/2020
 | Functional Area Where Benefits Will Be Realized | Maintenance
 | Reference Implementation Guidance | Common Design Package for Wireless Ultrasonic Sensors and Associated Equipment (EPRI [https://www.epri.com/research/products/3002015806 3002015806])
-| Industry SME | EPRI – Christopher Wiegand
+| Industry SME | EPRI Operating Plant Initiatives
 Contact: NuclearPlantMod@epri.com
 | Previous Implementation | Please contact EPRI for implementation examples and contacts
-| Implementation Enablers | Distributed Antenna System (MTA-MA-003) or Wi‑Fi Infrastructure (MTA-MA-004)
+| Implementation Enablers | [[MTA-MA-003|MTA-MA-003]] Distributed Antenna System
-| SWEEP Score |
+[[MTA-MA-004|MTA-MA-004]] Wi‑Fi Infrastructure
 | Applicability | All Reactor Types
 Applicable to All Regions
@@ Line 51: / Line 46: @@
 Cyber: If the system is not properly segmented and implemented, cyber security deficiencies could result in project delays.  Following the cyber security guidance in the Reference Implementation Guidance will mitigate this risk.

Jacob Sommer: 1 revision imported

2026-03-05T01:37:54Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 01:37, 5 March 2026
(No difference)

10.142.237.162: /* Risks */

2026-03-03T19:36:49Z

Risks

New page

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Gas Void Detection via Wireless Ultrasonic Monitoring - MTA-MA-001}}
{{MTATemplate||
| Date |12/15/2020
| Functional Area Where Benefits Will Be Realized | Maintenance
| Reference Implementation Guidance | Common Design Package for Wireless Ultrasonic Sensors and Associated Equipment (EPRI [https://www.epri.com/research/products/3002015806 3002015806])
| Industry SME | EPRI – Christopher Wiegand

Contact: NuclearPlantMod@epri.com
| Previous Implementation | Please contact EPRI for implementation examples and contacts
| Implementation Enablers | Distributed Antenna System (MTA-MA-003) or Wi‑Fi Infrastructure (MTA-MA-004)
| SWEEP Score |
* Cost – Level 3 – A wireless ultrasonic monitoring system installation, including equipment and engineering support, provided a wireless connectivity framework is already established, should be limited to USD 1M or less.
* Savings – Level 1 – Potential savings are achieved through reduction in scaffolding costs, technician resources, and dose associated with performing manual ultrasonic examinations.
* Payback – Level 2 – Based upon available cost and savings information, the payback period for implementation would be within 1 to 5 years.
* Licensing Readiness – Level 3 – This technology has already been implemented at nuclear power plants. Furthermore, the 10CFR50.59 screening guidance provided in Reference 2 indicates that a 10CFR50.59 Evaluation would not be required, and thus, no changes to the site license would be required to implement the technology.
* Technology Readiness – Level 3 – The technology is commercially available, and is already in use at commercial nuclear sites.
* Implementation Proficiency – Level 3 – The implementation and operation of the wireless ultrasonic monitoring system does not require knowledge in implementing digital technologies.
| Applicability | All Reactor Types
Applicable to All Regions
| Keywords | Void Detection; Online Monitoring; Reduced Maintenance Costs; Pipe Wall Thickness Monitoring; Weld Condition Monitoring
| Business Case Analysis Cross-Reference | N/A
}}

==Description==
Gas void detection identifies accumulation of gases in liquid systems for corrective action (e.g., venting) to avoid conditions adverse for site operation. However, current practices for manual inspection can require scaffolding, extensive personnel time, and unnecessary dose. The technology uses a wireless ultrasonic sensor and ultrasonic waves to measure reflections at the interfaces of liquid, piping, and/or gas to determine if there is a gaseous void. This technology can also be used to provide information on the pipe wall thickness or condition of a weld.

==Benefits==
===Benefits Estimate===
Level 1 – Savings are less than USD 1M per year.

===Benefits Description===
* Reduction of risk of identifying gaseous voids during important site evolutions, such as startup.
* Reduction in maintenance effort to detect and purge gaseous voids.
* Increased safety, as Maintenance personnel do not have to purge gaseous voids from ECCS piping as frequently.
* Increased equipment reliability as gaseous voids are more quickly identified before they have a chance to impact equipment, or equipment that leads to gaseous voids may be identified and fixed more quickly.
* Reduction in costs associated with scaffolding.
* Reduction in personnel dose, depending on sensor location.

==Costs and Schedule==
===Cost===
Level 3 – A wireless ultrasonic monitoring system installation, including equipment and engineering support, provided a wireless connectivity framework is already established, should be limited to USD 1M or less.

===Schedule===
Less than 6 months.

===Scope Context===
Per unit.

==Risks==
No unique risks beyond standard project risks associated with implementing changes at nuclear power plants.

Cyber: If the system is not properly segmented and implemented, cyber security deficiencies could result in project delays. Following the cyber security guidance in the Reference Implementation Guidance will mitigate this risk.