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Title: On-line testing of calibration of process instrumentation channels in nuclear power plants. Phase 2, Final report

Abstract

The nuclear industry is interested in automating the calibration of process instrumentation channels; this report provides key results of one of the sponsored projects to determine the validity of automated calibrations. Conclusion is that the normal outputs of instrument channels in nuclear plants can be monitored over a fuel cycle while the plant is operating to determine calibration drift in the field sensors and associated signal conversion and signal conditioning equipment. The procedure for on-line calibration tests involving calculating the deviation of each instrument channel from the best estimate of the process parameter that the instrument is measuring. Methods were evaluated for determining the best estimate. Deviation of each signal from the best estimate is updated frequently while the plant is operating and plotted vs time for entire fuel cycle, thereby providing time history plots that can reveal channel drift and other anomalies. Any instrument channel that exceeds allowable drift or channel accuracy band is then scheduled for calibration during a refueling outage or sooner. This provides calibration test results at the process operating point, one of the most critical points of the channel operation. This should suffice for most narrow-range instruments, although the calibration of some instruments can bemore » verified at other points throughout their range. It should be pointed out that the calibration of some process signals such as the high pressure coolant injection flow in BWRs, which are normally off- scale during plant operation, can not be tested on-line.« less

Authors:
 [1]
  1. Analysis and Measurement Services Corp., Knoxville, TN (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Washington, DC (United States). Div. of Systems Technology; Analysis and Measurement Services Corp., Knoxville, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
137413
Report Number(s):
NUREG/CR-6343
ON: TI96003372; TRN: 96:001418
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Nov 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
22 NUCLEAR REACTOR TECHNOLOGY; NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS; REACTOR INSTRUMENTATION; CALIBRATION; US NRC; AUTOMATION; ON-LINE SYSTEMS; PROCESS CONTROL; MONITORING; REACTOR CONTROL SYSTEMS; EXPERT SYSTEMS; PROGRESS REPORT

Citation Formats

Hashemian, H M. On-line testing of calibration of process instrumentation channels in nuclear power plants. Phase 2, Final report. United States: N. p., 1995. Web. doi:10.2172/137413.
Hashemian, H M. On-line testing of calibration of process instrumentation channels in nuclear power plants. Phase 2, Final report. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/137413
Hashemian, H M. 1995. "On-line testing of calibration of process instrumentation channels in nuclear power plants. Phase 2, Final report". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/137413. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/137413.
@article{osti_137413,
title = {On-line testing of calibration of process instrumentation channels in nuclear power plants. Phase 2, Final report},
author = {Hashemian, H M},
abstractNote = {The nuclear industry is interested in automating the calibration of process instrumentation channels; this report provides key results of one of the sponsored projects to determine the validity of automated calibrations. Conclusion is that the normal outputs of instrument channels in nuclear plants can be monitored over a fuel cycle while the plant is operating to determine calibration drift in the field sensors and associated signal conversion and signal conditioning equipment. The procedure for on-line calibration tests involving calculating the deviation of each instrument channel from the best estimate of the process parameter that the instrument is measuring. Methods were evaluated for determining the best estimate. Deviation of each signal from the best estimate is updated frequently while the plant is operating and plotted vs time for entire fuel cycle, thereby providing time history plots that can reveal channel drift and other anomalies. Any instrument channel that exceeds allowable drift or channel accuracy band is then scheduled for calibration during a refueling outage or sooner. This provides calibration test results at the process operating point, one of the most critical points of the channel operation. This should suffice for most narrow-range instruments, although the calibration of some instruments can be verified at other points throughout their range. It should be pointed out that the calibration of some process signals such as the high pressure coolant injection flow in BWRs, which are normally off- scale during plant operation, can not be tested on-line.},
doi = {10.2172/137413},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/137413}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1995},
month = {Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1995}
}