Finite Element Modeling of Eddy Current Testing of Steam Generator Tube with Crack and Deposit

Eddy current testing (ECT) is a type of non-destructive testing and effective for detecting surface cracks or flaws in conducting materials. A typical application of the ECT is non-destructive testing for heat exchanger tubes of steam generators (SG) of chemical plants and nuclear power plants. Higher accuracy is needed for external very small cracks from the practical point of view. Recently there are some requests not only for the location of cracks but also for the characterization of crack shape and the type of cracks. In order to improve the accuracy of the ECT it is considered to be important to use numerical analysis and to optimize the method of testing and the shape of probe coils. Since the electromagnetic phenomena in the ECT are 3D in nature, 3D numerical analysis is required in order to know eddy current distribution in the conductor and to improve the ECT technique. Therefore one of recent research interests of the ECT is the development of more effective and accurate 3D eddy current analysis