Abstract
This paper presents the development of diagnostic and prognostic capabilities for active assets in nuclear power plants (NPPs). The research was performed under the Advanced Instrumentation, Information, and Control Technologies Pathway of the Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program. Idaho National Laboratory researched, developed, implemented, and demonstrated diagnostic and prognostic models for generator step-up transformers (GSUs). The Fleet-Wide Prognostic and Health Management (FW-PHM) Suite software developed by the Electric Power Research Institute was used to perform diagnosis and prognosis. As part of the research activity, Idaho National Laboratory implemented 22 GSU diagnostic models in the Asset Fault Signature Database and two wellestablished GSU prognostic models for the paper winding insulation in the Remaining Useful Life Database of the FW-PHM Suite. The implemented models along with a simulated fault data stream were used to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic capabilities of the FW-PHM Suite. Knowledge of the operating condition of plant asset gained from diagnosis and prognosis is critical for the safe, productive, and economical long-term operation of the current fleet of NPPs. This research addresses some of the gaps in the current state of technology development and enables effective application of diagnostics and prognostics to nuclear plant assets.
Highlights
In the United States there are 100 commercial nuclear power plant (NPP) units in operation providing 19% of the total electricity consumed by the nation (World, 2015)
In light of the fact that the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) expects the first application for subsequent license renewal to be submitted as early as 2017, the significant challenges associated with the continuous operation of NPP units beyond 60 years must be carefully considered
The program is operated in collaboration with the Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI’s) research and development (R&D) efforts in the Long-Term Operations (LTO) Program. Both the Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) and LTO programs work closely with nuclear utilities to conduct R&D in technologies that can be used to International Journal of Prognostics and Health Management, ISSN 2153-2648, 2015 013
Summary
In the United States there are 100 commercial nuclear power plant (NPP) units in operation providing 19% of the total electricity consumed by the nation (World, 2015). The program is operated in collaboration with the Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI’s) research and development (R&D) efforts in the Long-Term Operations (LTO) Program Both the LWRS and LTO programs work closely with nuclear utilities to conduct R&D in technologies that can be used to International Journal of Prognostics and Health Management, ISSN 2153-2648, 2015 013. To enhance current maintenance practices at NPPs, there is a movement towards online monitoring of the performance of plant assets This includes transition from periodic manual assessments and surveillances of physical components and structures to centralized online condition monitoring across the fleet. The main contribution of this paper is summarizing the overall research, development, and implementation of fault signatures, and diagnostic and prognostics models for generator step-up transformers (GSUs) in FW-PHM.
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