scholarly journals Non-Linear Stability Analysis of Real Signals from Nuclear Power Plants (Boiling Water Reactors) Based on Noise Assisted Empirical Mode Decomposition Variants and the Shannon Entropy

Entropy ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 359 ◽  
Author(s):  
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Author(s):  
Omar A. Olvera-Guerrero ◽  
Alfonso Prieto-Guerrero ◽  
Gilberto Espinosa-Paredes

There are currently around 78 Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) in the world based on Boiling Water Reactors (BWR). The current parameter to assess BWR instability issues is the linear Decay Ratio (DR). However, it is well known that BWRs are complex non-linear dynamical systems that may even exhibit chaotic dynamics that normally preclude the use of the DR when the BWR is working at a specific operating point during instability. In this work a novel methodology based on an adaptive Shannon Entropy estimator and on Noise Assisted Empirical Mode Decomposition variants is presented. This methodology was developed for real-time implementation of a stability monitor. This methodology was applied to a set of signals stemming from several NPPs reactors (Ringhals-Sweden, Forsmark-Sweden and Laguna Verde-Mexico) under commercial operating conditions, that experienced instabilities events, each one of a different nature


2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petr Pospíšil

Abstract Some commercial nuclear power plants have been permanently shut down to date and decommissioned using dismantling methods. Other operating plants have decided to undergo an upgrade process that includes replacement of reactor internals. In both cases, there is a need to perform a segmentation of the reactor vessel internals with proven methods for long term waste disposal. Westinghouse has developed several concepts to dismantle reactor internals based on safe and reliable techniques, including plasma arc cutting (PAC), abrasive waterjet cutting (AWJC), metal disintegration machining (MDM), or mechanical cutting. Mechanical cutting has been used by Westinghouse since 1999 for both Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR’s) and Boiling Water Reactors (BWR’s) and its process has been continuously improved over the years. The complexity of the work requires well designed and reliable tools. Different band saws, disc saws, tube cutters and shearing tools have been developed to cut the reactor internals. All of those equipments are hydraulically driven which is very suitable for submerged applications. Westinghouse experience in mechanical cutting has demonstrated that it is an excellent technique for segmentation of internals. In summary, the purpose of this paper will be to provide an overview of the Westinghouse mechanical segmentation process, based on actual experience from the work that has been completed to date.


Author(s):  
F. Wehle ◽  
A. Schmidt ◽  
S. Opel ◽  
R. Velten

Power oscillations associated with density waves in boiling water reactors (BWRs) have been studied widely. Industrial research in this area is active since the invention of the first BWR. Stability measurements have been performed in various plants already during commissioning phase but especially the magnitude and divergent nature of the oscillations during the LaSalle Unit 2 nuclear power plant event on March 9, 1988, renewed concern about the state of knowledge oN BWR instabilities. The appropriate representation of the physical processes in the non-linear regime requires typically time domain stability analysis. The objective of this paper is to present a physical model, applicable for stability analysis in the non-linear regime, which extends to high amplitude oscillations where inlet reverse flow occurs. The application of this model gives a deeper insight into the physical reasons for the prevention of the uncontrolled divergence of BWR oscillations. The mechanisms that have a stabilizing effect are demonstrated.


2017 ◽  
Vol 828 ◽  
pp. 812-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc A. Regan ◽  
Krishnan Mahesh

The stability of low-speed jets in cross-flow (JICF) is studied using tri-global linear stability analysis (GLSA). Simulations are performed at a Reynolds number of 2000, based on the jet exit diameter and the average velocity. A time stepper method is used in conjunction with the implicitly restarted Arnoldi iteration method. GLSA results are shown to capture the complex upstream shear-layer instabilities. The Strouhal numbers from GLSA match upstream shear-layer vertical velocity spectra and dynamic mode decomposition from simulation (Iyer & Mahesh, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 790, 2016, pp. 275–307) and experiment (Megerian et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 593, 2007, pp. 93–129). Additionally, the GLSA results are shown to be consistent with the transition from absolute to convective instability that the upstream shear layer of JICFs undergoes between $R=2$ to $R=4$ observed by Megerian et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 593, 2007, pp. 93–129), where $R=\overline{v}_{jet}/u_{\infty }$ is the jet to cross-flow velocity ratio. The upstream shear-layer instability is shown to dominate when $R=2$, whereas downstream shear-layer instabilities are shown to dominate when $R=4$.


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