[en] The nuclear industry has shown growing interest in life extension of nuclear power plants. This is caused, in part, by the recognition that nuclear plants have become increasingly expensive to construct. Expanded licensing requirements and uncertainties have substantially increased plant construction schedules and costs, making it more cost effective for utility owners to maintain, refurbish, and extend the life of existing nuclear power plants. The long-term reliable operation of major PWR secondary system components is strongly influenced by the quality of water chemistry control. Insufficient or inadequate chemistry control can result in reduced capacity, increased inspection requirements and, in extreme cases, component replacement. Thus, the optimization of water chemistry control plays a major role in the successful establishment of a life extension program. (author)

[en] An effective, state-of-the art secondary water chemistry control program is essential to maximize the availability and operating life of major PWR components. Furthermore, the costs related to maintaining secondary water chemistry will likely be less than the repair or replacement of steam generators or large turbine rotors, with resulting outages taken into account. The revised PWR secondary water chemistry guidelines in this report represent the latest field and laboratory data on steam generator corrosion phenomena. This document supersedes Interim PWR Secondary Water Chemistry Recommendations for IGA/SCC Control (EPRI report TR-101230) as well as PWR Secondary Water Chemistry Guidelines--Revision 2 (NP-6239)