Method of repairing a steam generator tube by means of lining

Claim 1

Method of repairing, by means of lining, a tube (12, 30) of a steam generator with a tube bundle and a tube plate (11) inside which the tubes (12, 30) of the bundle are expanded, from the inlet side (13) of the tube plate (11) with which the ends of the tube (12) lie flush as far as the outlet side (14) where the tubes penetrate the housing of the steam generator, said method comprising the steps of (a) introducing into the tube (12, 20) to be repaired, on the inlet side (13) of the tube plate (11), a tubular liner (15, 31) with an external diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of the tube (12, 30) and of suitable length for the repair to be performed; (b) fixing the liner (15, 31) by means of expansion inside the tube (12, 30) in a first zone close to its end, in the vicinity of the inlet side (13) of the tube plate (11); and (c) fixing the liner (15, 31) inside the tube (12, 30), in a second zone outside the tube plate (11), by effecting an initial mechanical deformation (19, 32), by means of expansion, followed by a weld (18, 33) between the liner and the tube; (d) said mechanical deformation (19, 32) of the liner (15, 31), achieved by means of expansion of its end part opposite the end (16) expanded inside the tube plate (11), being located at a limited height; (e) the parameters of said mechanical deformation (19, 32) being calculated in accordance with the welding parameters subsequently applied; and (f) said welding parameters being so determined that the temperature reached in critical zones (19a, 19b), by means of conduction from a fusion zone, exceeds the temperature at which stresses in said critical zones are relieved, thereby relieving stresses in zones subjected to said deformation.