Vibration analysis method for detection of abnormal movement of material in a rotary dissolver

Conference · Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6537836

Smith, C. M.; Fry, D. N.

Vibration signals generated by the movement of simulated nuclear fuel material through a three-stage, continuous, rotary dissolver were frequency analyzed to determine whether these signals contained characteristic signal patterns that would identify each of five phases of operation in the dissolver and, thus, would indicate the proper movement of material through the dissolver. This characterization of the signals is the first step in the development of a system for monitoring the flow of material through a dissolver to be developed for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel. Vibration signals from accelerometers mounted on the dissolver roller supports were analyzed in a bandwidth from 0 to 10 kHz. The analysis established that (1) all five phases of dissolver operation can be characterized by vibration signatures; (2) four of the five phases of operation can be readily and directly identified by a characteristic vibration signature during continuous, prototypic operation; (3) the transfer of material from the inlet to the dissolution stage can be indirectly monitored by one of the other four vibration signatures (the mixing signature) during prototypic operation; (4) a simulated blockage between the dissolution and exit stages can be detected by changes in one or more characteristic vibration signatures; and (5) a simulated blockage of the exit chute cannot be detected.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA); Tennessee Univ., Knoxville (USA). Dept. of Nuclear Engineering
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 6537836
• Report Number(s): CONF-781169-2; TRN: 79-004576
• Resource Relation: Conference: Mechanical failures prevention group symposium, San Antonio, TX, USA, 28 Nov 1978
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
DISSOLVERS
MASS TRANSFER
MONITORING
ACCELEROMETERS
DISSOLUTION
MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
SPENT FUELS
ENERGY SOURCES
FUELS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NUCLEAR FUELS
REACTOR MATERIALS
050800* - Nuclear Fuels- Spent Fuels Reprocessing
052001 - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Processing