A Novel Technique Applying Spectral Estimation to Johnson Noise Thermometry

Journal Article · Fri Mar 30 00:00:00 EDT 2018 · Nuclear Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2018.1452498· OSTI ID:1435219

Ezell, N. Dianne Bull ^[1]; Britton, Chuck ^[1]; Ericson, Nance ^[1]; Holcomb, David ^[1]; Roberts, M. J. ^[2]; Djouadi, Seddik ^[2]; Wood, Richard ^[3]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
2. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States). Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Dept.
3. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States). Dept. of Nuclear Engineering

Johnson noise thermometry is one of many important measurement techniques used to monitor the safety levels and stability in a nuclear reactor. However, this measurement is very dependent on the minimal electromagnetic environment. Properly removing unwanted electromagnetic interference (EMI) is critical for accurate drift-free temperature measurements. The two techniques developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to remove transient and periodic EMI are briefly discussed here. Spectral estimation is a key component in the signal processing algorithm used for EMI removal and temperature calculation. The cross-power spectral density is a key component in the Johnson noise temperature computation. Applying either technique requires the simple addition of electronics and signal processing to existing resistive thermometers. With minimal installation changes, the system discussed here can be installed on existing nuclear power plants. The Johnson noise system developed is tested at three locations: ORNL, Sandia National Laboratory, and the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Kingston Fossil Plant. Each of these locations enabled improvement on the EMI removal algorithm. Finally, the conclusions made from the results at each of these locations is discussed, as well as possible future work.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), Nuclear Reactor Technologies (NE-7)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1435219
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1356928
• Journal Information: Nuclear Technology, Journal Name: Nuclear Technology Journal Issue: 2-3 Vol. 202; ISSN 0029-5450
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis - formerly American Nuclear Society (ANS)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
42 ENGINEERING
Johnson noise thermometry
cross-power spectral density
electromagnetic interference
spectral estimation