Title: Time response measurements of the Angra 1 nuclear power plant using direct and indirect methodologies

Authors: Iraci Martinez Pereira, Roberto Carlos Dos Santos, Wagner Jose dos Reis Lopes, Olivio da C. Napolitano

Addresses: Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares (IPEN/CNEN – SP), Av. Professor Lineu Prestes 2242, 05508-000 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. ' Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares (IPEN/CNEN – SP), Av. Professor Lineu Prestes 2242, 05508-000 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. ' Eletrobras Termonuclear S.A – Eletronuclear, Rodovia BR 101 Km 522, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. ' Eletrobras Termonuclear S.A – Eletronuclear, Rodovia BR 101 Km 522, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Abstract: Estimation of sensor response characteristics is necessary to satisfy requirements on allowable response time for nuclear power plants. The methodology currently used includes direct and indirect measurements, each of them having its advantages and disadvantages. The objective of this work is to compare the time response measurements of temperature and pressure sensors which the Brazilian Angra 1 nuclear power plant obtained using direct and indirect methodologies. Direct methods give more precise results but need special equipment to be carried out and they interfere with the reactor operation. Indirect methodology is most practical to perform; it does not interfere with the reactor operation because the sensors do not have to be out of operation. On the other hand, since the parameter identification depends on the noise characteristics, there are cases where indirect methodology is not suitable to predict time response.

Keywords: time response measurements; temperature sensors; pressure sensors; loop current step response; LCSR; nuclear power plants; nuclear energy; Brazil; nuclear reactors.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNEST.2010.030305

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology, 2010 Vol.5 No.1, pp.41 - 51

Published online: 14 Dec 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article