Assessment of the quality of operation of equipment of nuclear power plants

What is it about?

The article explores strategies to guarantee the reliable performance of power equipment as part of the efforts to ensure the safety of energy complexes during the "green transformation" period. It analyzes the necessity of energy resources, particularly nuclear energy, as a form of renewable energy, and examines its role in facilitating the "green" transformation. Based on this analysis, it concludes that achieving an effective "green" transformation requires ensuring the operational safety of energy equipment. This can be accomplished by developing science-based approaches for technically diagnosing the condition of power systems and individual equipment. The article proposes a methodology for conducting studies on the technical condition of power equipment, employing mathematical models to assess their state under varying load conditions. Additionally, it presents the outcomes of experimental studies conducted on the pipeline systems of the main circulation circuit of a nuclear power plant. The experiments included determining the seismic loading and the resulting stresses experienced under different conditions, such as normal operation, design earthquake, and maximum design earthquake. The combined findings from the calculated and experimental studies demonstrate that the stress distribution in the investigated pipeline systems adheres to standard parameters, ensuring both quality and safety for future operations.

Featured Image

Photo by Nicolas HIPPERT on Unsplash

Photo by Nicolas HIPPERT on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The article proposes to assess the quality of functioning of power equipment of nuclear power plants based on the diagnostics of the technical condition. Conducting a comprehensive systematic technical diagnostics of power equipment, taking into account the load of various nature, makes it possible to ensure safe operation within the design and over-design terms, and to ensure a sustainable "green" transition to a circular economy. To assess the technical condition, mathematical models for determining the accumulation of fatigue damage under different load conditions are proposed. The seismic safety margin of the power unit pipelines was calculated in accordance with the IAEA recommendations and the results of the study of the seismicity of the South Ukrainian NPP area. Calculations were performed for seismic impacts under different modes and loads and it was found that the largest induced stresses arising in the sections of the main circulation pipeline and the pipeline connecting the volume compensator with the "hot" thread of the main circulation loop do not exceed the permissible ones. The maximum calculated earthquake under the same conditions, taking into account the fact that the peak ground acceleration has increased almost 2 times compared to the beginning of operation, allows the operation of this group of pipelines.