Performance test,

Ageing effects can be detected by checking the performance of a system, structure or component (e.g. drifting of setpoints or deterioration of electronic or mechanical components of valves and valve actuators or control rod drive mechanisms, may cause changes in the performance of a control system). For this reason, the results of the performance test programme, which is dependent on the specific design and operation of the facility, should be examined for evidence of trends which may indicate ageing problems. 

DATA COLLECTION AND RECORD KEEPING 4.4.1. In-house experience 

Data received through inspection, monitoring and tests should be collected at regular intervals, evaluated and retained. Operation and maintenance reports should be collected and analysed for signs of a deterioration problem. Often this data will be in the form of a technical report. The report should record the data on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly 

Records of replacement, modifications and maintenance of reactor components are also an important source of information to understand the effects of ageing. The records should show the methods of problem identification, analysis and solution. Preparation of reports should be based on a written procedure. 

These reports should be retained as long as the old or similar components, structures and systems of the facility still exist and the decommissioning process has not taken place. There may be special cases where information should be retained for a longer period, as required by the facility. 

Normally, testing is carried out in order to determine the suitability of a material of construction for handling a process fluid. However, testing can be used for different purposes. Typically this might be to justify a modified inspection frequency of equipment on an existing plant. 

There are a variety of test methods available. Commonly, test specimens consisting of small strips or standard samples of the material are exposed to the process fluid by immersion. The weight loss of the test specimen over a time period at the service temperature is measured in order to determine the corrosion rate. Testing can be carried out on the plant, in the laboratory, or on a pilot plant as demanded by situations. 

Where laboratory testing is carried out using standard test methods, there are difficulties in interpreting results and translating 

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In Europe, the CEC (Coordinating European Council for the development of performance tests for lubricants and engine fuels) federalizes the GEC and its counterparts in other European countries. 

CEC Coordinating European Council for the Development of Performance Tests for Lubricating Oils and Motor Fuels i... 

The system has been in full use during the shutdown periods of 1996 and 97 in the nuclear industry in Sweden. Performed tests have produced excellent results under sometimes difficult conditions... 

The System of accreditation is a mechanism that ensures official recognition that calibration or testing laboratory has right to perform testing of measuring devices, specific testing or specific types of testing. 

Add dil. HjS04 to the residue in the flask until definitely acid to litmus. Distil off 1 2 ml., and perform tests on this aqueous distillate for acetic acid. 

Hydrolysis by acids. Place 15 ml. of starch solution in a boiling-tube, add I ml. of cone. HCl, mix well and place in a boiling water-bath for 20 minutes. Cool and add 2 drops of iodine solution to i ml. of the solution no blue coloration is produced. On the remainder, perform tests for glucose in particular show that glucosazone can be formed. Neutralise the excess of acid before carrying out these tests. (Note that a more concentrated acid is required to hydrolyse starch than to hydrolyse the disaccharides, such as sucrose.)... 

Testing—includes test specimen preparation, bond durabiHty tests, and stmctural performance tests. It should be noted that formaldehyde emission tests of phenoHc bonded products such as stmctural plywood are not required because emissions are normally about 0.02—.03 pl/L (ppm), weU below the previously noted safe level of 0.10 p.L/L (ppm). 

Analytical and control methods for acetic anhydride are fully discussed in reference 55. Performance tests are customarily used where the quality of the product is cmcial, as in food or pharmaceutical products. Typical specifications are ... 

The value of the saturation concentration,, is the spatial average of the value determined from a clean water performance test and is not corrected for gas-side oxygen depletion therefore K ji is an apparent value because it is determined on the basis of an uncorrected. A tme volumetric mass transfer coefficient can be evaluated by correcting for the gas-side oxygen depletion. However, for design purposes, can be estimated from the surface saturation concentration and effective saturation depth by... 

Tables 2—5 Hst some typical properties or ranges of properties for the more common film and sheet products. Although these values are good for comparative purposes, actual performance tests are best to determine suitabiHty for use. Properties of multiple-layer films or sheets in laminar stmctures cannot always be predicted from values for the individual polymer layers. Use conditions of stress, temperature, humidity, and light exposure all strongly influence performance. Film and sheet manufacturers can recommend product combinations or variations that may provide significant performance advantages to the user.

The most effective specification is that which accomplishes the desired result with the fewest requirements. Properties and performance should be emphasized rather than how the objectives ate to be achieved. Excessive demonstration of emdition on the part of the writer or failure to recognize the usually considerable processing expertise held by the vendor results in a lengthy and overly detailed document that generally is counterproductive. Redundancy may lead to technical inconsistency. A requirement that cannot be assessed by a prescribed test method or quantitative inspection technique never should be included in the specifications. Wherever possible, tests should be easy to perform and highly correctable with service performance. Tests that indicate service life are especially useful. Standard test references, eg, ASTM methods, ate the most desirable, and those that ate needed should be selected carefully and the numbers of such references should be minimized. To eliminate unnecessary review activity by the would-be complier, the description of a standard test should not be paraphrased or condensed unless the original test is referenced. 

Wind Resistance. Asphalt shingles are certified to wind performance test standards on a continuous basis through independent third-party testing laboratories. Shingles that have passed the standard wind performance requirements, such as ASTM D3161, Standard Test Method for Wind Resistance for Asphalt Shingles, are identified by labels from the testing laboratory with whom they are in compliance. 

Performance. Consumer acceptance is a criterion on which cosmetic marketers caimot compromise. Whereas the likes and dislikes of consumers are in a state of constant flux, some product features are critical. A deodorant that does not deodorize or a hair coloring that fades in sunlight is unacceptable. Performance is tested by in vitro techniques during formulation, but the ultimate test of a product s performance requires in-use experience with consumers and critical assessment by trained observers. Performance tests can sometimes be combined with in-use safety tests, and protocols for such programs have been developed. 

Performance testing of heat exchangers is described in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Standard Testing Procedure for Heat Exchangers, Sec. 1. Sensible Heat Transfer in SheU-and-Tube-Type Equipment. ... 

FIG. 12-44 Typical results of dryer-performance tests. To convert British thermal units per hour-cubic foot-degree Fahrenheit to joules per cubic meter-second-kelvin, multiply by 1.73. 

Subsequently, Calvert (R-19, p. 228) has combined mathematical modehng with performance tests on a variety of industrial scrubbers and has obtained a refinement of the power-input/cut-size relationship as shown in Fig. 14-130. He considers these relationships sufficiently reliable to use this data as a tool for selection of scrubber type and performance prediction. The power input for this figure is based solely on gas pressure drop across the device. 

The nature of the change to performance-tested packaging is best illustrated with an example of a shipment of ethyl alcohol in a 55-gaUon (208 liter) steel drum. Under the old rules one could look up... 

TABLE 21-19 Performance Testing of Steel Drums—Type A for Packaging Group II... 

Arrester Testing and Standards Regulatory and approval agencies and insurers impose acceptance testing requirements, sometimes as part of certification standards. The user may also request testing to demonstrate specific performance needs, just as the manufacturer can help develop standards. These interrelationships have resulted in several new and updated performance test procedures. Listing of an arrester by a testing laboratoiy refers only to performance under a defined set of test conditions. The flame arrester user should develop specific application requirements based on the service involved and the safety and risk criteria adopted. 

When testing to estabhsh the thermodynamic performance of a steam turbine, the ASME Performance Test Code 6 should be followed as closely as possible. The effec t of deviations from code procedure should be carefully evaluated. The flow measurement is particularly critical, and Performance Test Code 19 gives details of flow nozzles and orifices. The test requirements should be carefully studied when the piping is designed to ensure that a meaningful test can be conducted. 

ANSI/IEEE 115-1/1995 Test procedures for synchronous machines, acceptance and performance testing ... 

Shunt power capacitors of non self-healing types up to and including 1000 V General performance, testing and rating. Safety requirements. Guide for installation and operation 13585-1/1994 BS EN 60931-1/1996... 

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