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Title: Online Sensor Calibration Assessment in Nuclear Power Systems

Abstract

Safe, efficient, and economic operation of nuclear systems (nuclear power plants, fuel fabrication and storage, used fuel processing, etc.) relies on transmission of accurate and reliable measurements. During operation, sensors degrade due to age, environmental exposure, and maintenance interventions. Sensor degradation can affect the measured and transmitted signals, including sensor failure, signal drift, sensor response time, etc. Currently, periodic sensor recalibration is performed to avoid these problems. Sensor recalibration activities include both calibration assessment and adjustment (if necessary). In nuclear power plants, periodic recalibration of safety-related sensors is required by the plant technical specifications. Recalibration typically occurs during refueling outages (about every 18 to 24 months). Non-safety-related sensors also undergo recalibration, though not as frequently. However, this approach to maintaining sensor calibration and performance is time-consuming and expensive, leading to unnecessary maintenance, increased radiation exposure to maintenance personnel, and potential damage to sensors. Online monitoring (OLM) of sensor performance is a non-invasive approach to assess instrument calibration. OLM can mitigate many of the limitations of the current periodic recalibration practice by providing more frequent assessment of calibration and identifying those sensors that are operating outside of calibration tolerance limits without removing sensors or interrupting operation. This can support extended operatingmore » intervals for unfaulted sensors and target recalibration efforts to only degraded sensors.« less

Authors:
; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1091432
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-93093
Journal ID: ISSN 1094-6969; NT0107000; TRN: US1400323
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-76RL01830
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Magazine
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 16; Journal Issue: 3; Journal ID: ISSN 1094-6969
Publisher:
IEEE
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; Online Monitoring; Sensor Calibration; Calibration Assessment

Citation Formats

Coble, Jamie B., Ramuhalli, Pradeep, Meyer, Ryan M., and Hashemian, Hash. Online Sensor Calibration Assessment in Nuclear Power Systems. United States: N. p., 2013. Web. doi:10.1109/MIM.2013.6521132.
Coble, Jamie B., Ramuhalli, Pradeep, Meyer, Ryan M., & Hashemian, Hash. Online Sensor Calibration Assessment in Nuclear Power Systems. United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/MIM.2013.6521132
Coble, Jamie B., Ramuhalli, Pradeep, Meyer, Ryan M., and Hashemian, Hash. 2013. "Online Sensor Calibration Assessment in Nuclear Power Systems". United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/MIM.2013.6521132.
@article{osti_1091432,
title = {Online Sensor Calibration Assessment in Nuclear Power Systems},
author = {Coble, Jamie B. and Ramuhalli, Pradeep and Meyer, Ryan M. and Hashemian, Hash},
abstractNote = {Safe, efficient, and economic operation of nuclear systems (nuclear power plants, fuel fabrication and storage, used fuel processing, etc.) relies on transmission of accurate and reliable measurements. During operation, sensors degrade due to age, environmental exposure, and maintenance interventions. Sensor degradation can affect the measured and transmitted signals, including sensor failure, signal drift, sensor response time, etc. Currently, periodic sensor recalibration is performed to avoid these problems. Sensor recalibration activities include both calibration assessment and adjustment (if necessary). In nuclear power plants, periodic recalibration of safety-related sensors is required by the plant technical specifications. Recalibration typically occurs during refueling outages (about every 18 to 24 months). Non-safety-related sensors also undergo recalibration, though not as frequently. However, this approach to maintaining sensor calibration and performance is time-consuming and expensive, leading to unnecessary maintenance, increased radiation exposure to maintenance personnel, and potential damage to sensors. Online monitoring (OLM) of sensor performance is a non-invasive approach to assess instrument calibration. OLM can mitigate many of the limitations of the current periodic recalibration practice by providing more frequent assessment of calibration and identifying those sensors that are operating outside of calibration tolerance limits without removing sensors or interrupting operation. This can support extended operating intervals for unfaulted sensors and target recalibration efforts to only degraded sensors.},
doi = {10.1109/MIM.2013.6521132},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1091432}, journal = {IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Magazine},
issn = {1094-6969},
number = 3,
volume = 16,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2013},
month = {Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2013}
}