Advanced Physics-Based Fluid System Performance Monitoring to Support Nuclear Power Plant Operations

Competition in the electricity market forces producers to achieve — in compliance with safety — efficiency of production as high as possible. This efficiency and heat rate is an important indicator of both the condition of the power plant equipment and the quality of power plant operation. To cope with these challenges, powerful methods are process data reconciliation, statistical data processing of large data sets and process simulation. These functions and methods can be used to obtain useful information about process quality and equipment and sensor health. The paper discusses practical experience from six years of using a thermal performance monitoring and optimization system in the Dukovany nuclear power plant. The system is integrated into the overall nuclear power plant process information system and data warehouse. The system provides information in near real time. The major benefit of the system lies in a deep view into equipment behaviour and process which ensures timely detection and identification of functionality degradation of process and equipment or sensor faults. The system also helps to find and use margins of equipment operation and the overall thermal cycle. Selected practical examples are used to demonstrate specific benefits of the system for operation and maintenance of the Dukovany nuclear power plant. There are examples of equipment fault detection and sensor degradation detection. The optimization function is explained with an example of cooling circuit optimization aimed to increase the delivery of electrical power into the grid. A detailed description of behaviour of the main components can be used for their performance evaluation and their repair planning. The benefit of more accurate determination of parameter values is reflected in more accurate determination of reactor thermal output. The conclusion of the paper provides an overall evaluation of system benefits for operation and maintenance of a nuclear power plant.

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Nuclear Power Plant Thermal Performance Improvement

ASME 2008 Power Conference ◽

10.1115/power2008-60079 ◽

2008 ◽

Author(s):

Greg C. Alder ◽

Frank J. Todd

Keyword(s):

Power Plant ◽

Nuclear Power Plant ◽

Performance Improvement ◽

Thermal Performance ◽

Nuclear Power ◽

Power Plants ◽

Performance Monitoring ◽

Power Plant Equipment ◽

Plant Personnel ◽

Plant Equipment

With the combination of increased demand for electric power and advancing age of operating equipment in nuclear power plants, is more important than ever to monitor the condition of plant operation. There are many factors to monitor in nuclear power plant equipment condition. However, one that is frequently overlooked is thermal performance. Often this is an area where plant personnel can find “low hanging fruit” with great return on investment. Often thermal performance analysis can discover better methods to maintain critical plant equipment resulting in more efficient outage activities. Plants also benefit from increasing their operators’ awareness of the importance of thermal performance monitoring to find lost power generation. This paper will discuss proven methods to track, trend, and prioritize thermal performance issues in order to reduce the time from the occurrence of a loss to recovery.

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