Mathematical modeling of a steam generator for sensor fault detection

Abstract

A dynamic model for a nuclear power plant steam generator (vertical, preheated, U-tube recirculation-type) is formulated as a sixth-order nonlinear system. The model integrates nodal mass and energy balances for the primary water, the U-tube metal and the secondary water and steam. The downcomer flow is determined by a static balance of momentum. The mathematical system is solved using transient input data from the Philippsburg 2 (FRG) nuclear power plant. The results of the calculation are compared with actual measured values. The proposed model provides a low-cost tool for the automatic control and simulation of the steam generating process. The “parity-space” algorithm is used to demonstrate the applicability of the mathematical model for sensor fault detection and identification purposes. This technique provides a powerful means of generating temporal analytic redundancy between sensor signals. It demonstrates good detection rates of sensor errors using relatively few steps of scanning time and allows the reconfiguration of faulty signals.