Goal Oriented Methodology and Applications in Nuclear Power Plants: A Modern Systems Reliability Approach

By Yi Xiao-Jian, Shi Jian and Mu Hui-Na

Goal Oriented Methodology and Applications in Nuclear Power Plants: A Modern Systems Reliability Approach presents the latest data and research on the modern system reliability approach by GO methodology to improve the quality and reliability of nuclear power plants (NPP). Quality and reliability are two key factors which are critical to the economic success of NPPs, hence this book provides a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the latest data and research illustrated through the provision of examples and solutions, applications and problems to test comprehension. Authors Xiao-Jian, Jian and Hui-Na systematically illustrate reliability modeling, analysis, optimization allocation and assessment, and their applications in NPPs.

This book, without assuming prior knowledge, presents all required information in an accessible and easily applied style. It will be particularly valuable to engineering and reliability professionals, nuclear engineering graduate students, reliability engineering specialists and nuclear energy researchers.

• Presents the latest research and data in one resource, eliminating the need to consult many diverse sources
• Includes examples and solutions that provide practical applications
• Combines principles, applications and examples within NPPs to provide a very thorough understanding of the technological aspects presented

• Language: English
• Publisher: Academic Press
• Release date: Oct 29, 2019
• ISBN: 9780128165874

Yi Xiao-Jian

Dr. Xiao-Jian’s research interested include complex systems reliability analysis, reliability optimization design, and reliability assessment. He has published more than 40 papers, 5 patents, and been responsible for 10 national projects for nuclear power plants, aerospace systems, and defence systems particularly in China.

Book preview

Goal Oriented Methodology and Applications in Nuclear Power Plants

A Modern Systems Reliability Approach

Yi Xiao-Jian

Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, P.R. China

Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China

Shi Jian

Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China

Mu Hui-Na

Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, P.R. China

Table of Contents

Cover image

Title page

Copyright

Dedication

Preface

1. Introduction

Abstract

Chapter Outline

1.1 Historical developments in nuclear power plant reliability

1.2 Need for improving reliability in nuclear power plants

1.3 Nuclear power plant reliability facts and figures

1.4 Terms and definitions

1.5 Useful information on nuclear power plant reliability

1.6 Scope of the book

References

2. Goal-oriented methodology

Abstract

Chapter Outline

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Basic concept of the goal-oriented model

2.3 Basic concept of the goal-oriented operation

2.4 Comparison with other methods

2.5 Problems

References

3. Reliability modeling and analysis method for nuclear power plants by the goal oriented method

Abstract

Chapter Outline

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Reliability modeling by the goal oriented method

3.3 Reliability analysis by the goal oriented method

3.4 Reliability modeling and analysis process of the goal oriented method

3.5 Problems

References

4. Reliability optimization allocation method for nuclear power plants by the goal oriented method

Abstract

Chapter Outline

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Reliability optimization allocation model by the goal oriented method

4.3 Intelligent algorithms for solving the optimization allocation model

4.4 Reliability optimization allocation method by the goal oriented method

4.5 Problems

References

5. Reliability assessment method for nuclear power plants by the goal oriented method

Abstract

Chapter Outline

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Reliability data analysis method for the unit

5.3 Point estimation of mean time to failures based on the goal oriented method

5.4 Reliability confidence lower limit assessment based on the goal oriented method

5.5 Availability confidence lower limit assessment based on the goal oriented method

5.6 Problems

References

6. Reliability software design based on the goal-oriented method for nuclear power plant

Abstract

Chapter Outline

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Architecture design of integration software on the goal-oriented method

6.3 Function module design of integration software for the goal-oriented method

6.4 Problems

References

7. Applications of reliability modeling and analysis by the goal oriented method

Abstract

Chapter Outline

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Case study I

7.3 Case study II

7.4 Case study III

8. Application of reliability optimization allocation by the goal oriented method

Abstract

Chapter Outline

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Case study

9. Application of reliability assessment by the goal oriented method

Abstract

Chapter Outline

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Case study

9.3 Result analysis

Index

Copyright

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Dedication

This book is affectionately dedicated to all members of my team for their continued support.

Preface

Yi Xiao-Jian, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China

With the development of technology, the structure and function of nuclear power equipment have become more and more complex, and the cost and lifetime of nuclear power equipment have also become higher and longer. The high number of fatal accidents and high lifecycle costs in the nuclear power industry make nuclear power plant reliability an important issue throughout the world. Quality and reliability are key attributes of the economic success of a nuclear power plant because they result in an increase in productivity at little cost and are vital for business growth and an enhanced competitive position. The reliability modeling method, reliability analysis method, reliability optimization method, and reliability assessment method based on goal oriented (GO) methodology are an efficient system reliability approach to adapt the above developmental need. Moreover, these methods have been applied in nuclear power plants and conventional power plants, and their applications have achieved remarkable results. In future, a large number of new nuclear power plants will be built around the world, including in China.

Over the years, a large number of journal and conference proceeding articles on reliability in nuclear power plant systems have appeared, but to the best of the author’s knowledge, there is no book that covers both GO methodology and its application in nuclear power plant systems. This poses a substantial obstacle for those seeking information on the subject, because they have to consult a number of different and diverse sources.

Thus the main objective of this book is to combine reliability technology based on GO methodology, and its applications in nuclear power plant systems into a single volume, eliminating the need to consult a number of different and diverse sources in obtaining the desired information, and providing up-to-date information on the subject. The source of most of the material presented is given in the references at the end of each chapter. These will be useful to the reader if they desire to delve deeper into a specific area.

The topics covered in this book are treated in such a manner that the reader requires no previous knowledge to understand the content. At appropriate places, the book contains examples along with their solutions, and at the end of each chapter, there are numerous problems to test the reader’s comprehension in the specific area covered. An extensive list of publications dating from 1977 to 2019, relating directly or indirectly to reliability technology based on the GO method in nuclear power plant systems and other engineering systems, is provided at the end of the book to give readers a view into the intensity of developments in the area.

This book consists of nine chapters. Chapter 1, Introduction, introduces the background and information about this book in order to give readers an understanding of the topic of the book. Chapter 2, Goal-oriented methodology, provides a basic concept of the GO method in terms of historical development and further of the GO methodology, GO model, GO operation, and comparisons with other methodologies, especially fault tree analysis and Monte Carlo simulation. In Chapter 3, Reliability modeling and analysis method for nuclear power plants by the goal oriented method, the reliability analysis method for complex nuclear power plant systems with complex characteristics based on the GO method is illustrated in terms of reliability modeling by the GO method, reliability analysis by the GO method, and the reliability analysis process of the GO method, respectively. Furthermore, reliability optimization allocation by the GO method, and reliability assessment by the GO method are proposed based on reliability modeling and analysis by the GO method, making this chapter the theoretical basis of Chapters 4–6. In Chapter 4, Reliability optimization allocation method for nuclear power plants by the goal oriented method, the reliability optimization allocation method for complex nuclear power plant systems based on the GO method is illustrated in terms of the reliability optimization allocation model by the GO method, intelligent algorithms for solving the optimization allocation model, and the process of using this method. In Chapter 5, Reliability assessment method for nuclear power plants by the goal oriented method, the reliability assessment method for complex nuclear power plant systems based on the GO method is illustrated in terms of reliability data analysis of units, reliability confidence lower limit assessment, mean time to failures assessment, and availability confidence lower limit assessment based on the GO method, respectively. In Chapter 6, Reliability software design based on the goal-oriented method for nuclear power plant, the design idea of the integration software tool on reliability technologies based on the GO method, which are presented in Chapter 2–5 for complex nuclear power plant systems, is described in terms of software architecture and function modules. Chapter 7, Applications of reliability modeling and analysis by the goal oriented method, presents three cases to illustrate use of the method of reliability modeling and analysis based on the GO method for nuclear power plant systems with characteristics, which are an AC power system for a single unit with two 100% capacity divisions considering multilevel standby structure, the power structure of a control rod drive mechanism with three-state electrical units, and a hoisting mechanism considering multifunction and common cause failure, respectively. Taking a hoisting mechanism in a nuclear power plant as a case study in Chapter 8, Application of reliability optimization allocation by the goal oriented method, the method of using reliability optimization allocation based on the GO method is illustrated. Taking the electronic control system of the hoisting mechanism (ECSOHM) in a nuclear power plant as a case study in Chapter 9, Application of reliability assessment by the goal oriented method, the method of using the reliability assessment method based on the GO method is illustrated. The mean time to failures of ECSOHM is also evaluated in this case.

This book will be useful to many individuals, including engineering and reliability professionals working in the nuclear power industry, nuclear power administrators, nuclear power engineering undergraduate and graduate students, reliability engineering undergraduate and graduate students, researchers and instructors in the area of nuclear power, and reliability specialists-at-large.

I am deeply indebted to many individuals, including Hou Peng (Beijing Institute of Technology), Song Kai (Academy of Mathematics and System Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Xie Yongcheng, Liu Gang, Lu Mingchao (Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research & Design Institute), Jo Collett, Narmatha Mohan, M. Convey, Vijay Bharath (Elsevier), and others. I am also thankful for support from the National Natural Science Foundation (71801196), National Major Project from Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research & Design Institute (2017ZX06002006), Open Research Program from CAS Key Laboratory of Solar Activity in National Astronomical Observatories (KLSA201803), China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2018M631606), and National Science Key Lab Fund project (6142212180308).

1

Introduction

Abstract

This chapter introduces the background to nuclear power plant reliability and information about this book, including terminology used and the book’s scope.

Keywords

Nuclear power plant reliability; history; terms and definitions; scope

Chapter Outline

Outline

1.1 Historical developments in nuclear power plant reliability 1

1.2 Need for improving reliability in nuclear power plants 5

1.3 Nuclear power plant reliability facts and figures 5

1.4 Terms and definitions 6

1.5 Useful information on nuclear power plant reliability 7

1.5.1 Organizations 8

1.5.2 Journal and magazines 8

1.5.3 Books 9

1.5.4 Conference proceedings 10

1.5.5 Data information sources 11

1.6 Scope of the book 11

References 12

This chapter introduces the background to nuclear power plant reliability and information about this book, including terminology used and the book’s scope.

1.1 Historical developments in nuclear power plant reliability

Electricity was generated by a nuclear reactor for the first time on September 3, 1948, at the X-10 Graphite Reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in the United States, which was the first nuclear power plant to power a light bulb. After the Second World War, the major goal of nuclear research in the mid-1950s was to show that nuclear energy could produce electricity for commercial use. Therefore, a second, larger experiment occurred on December 20, 1951, at the EBR-I experimental station near Arco, Idaho, in the United States. This marked the beginning of the development of nuclear power. From 1960 through 2011, the world’s nuclear capacity grew from barely 1 GW to over 350 GW. The reasons behind this massive expansion were the growth of electricity consumption, a political desire to move away from oil dependency following the oil crisis of the 1970s, and protection of the environment.

At the same time, the growth of interest in nuclear power resulted in increased concern by both power plant utilities and the general public about their operational reliability. Public opinion grew more critical of nuclear power in the mid-1970s. There was a fear of accidents and uncertainty as to the handling of radioactive waste. Criticism was heightened on March 28, 1979, when the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in the United States suffered a series of technical errors which resulted in a partial meltdown. One reactor was destroyed, however no radioactive material leaked out and no people were injured. Even so, the accident had a major impact on the public debate and policy development. A serious nuclear accident occurred at Chernobyl in northern Ukraine in 1986. The uranium fuel became overheated and melted, the surrounding graphite ignited and large portions of the power plant exploded due to the heat and the reaction between graphite and steam. Radioactive material spread over large parts of Europe. One reason for this was that the Chernobyl reactor did not have a leak-proof containment structure surrounding the reactor, something that all existing power plants have today. Thirty people were immediately killed in the accident and 134 people received acute radiation injuries. Increased incidents of thyroid cancer have been discovered in nearby areas in the former Soviet Union and have been linked to the Chernobyl accident. Pressure around the world to phase out nuclear power increased after the accident, and Italy had closed down all of its four reactors by 1990.

Demand for electricity decreased and concern grew over nuclear issues, such as reactor safety, waste disposal, and other environmental considerations. Therefore there is a great incentive for achieving high reliability. First, and most importantly, the safety requirements of nuclear power plants are of paramount concern. Also, the very high cost of designing and constructing a nuclear power plant and the high cost associated with plant downtime (as much as $800,000 per day in power replacement cost alone) provide a strong economic incentive toward designing-in, or improving, equipment reliability. Furthermore, failures are highly visible and, if they are serious enough or occur frequently, they can affect the whole industry. For these reasons, the nuclear industry is making a heavy commitment to safety with a special emphasis on the acquisition and operation of high-reliability systems and equipment.

At present, the answers to these questions are sought through the application of a relatively new engineering discipline, usually referred to as reliability engineering, which attempts to discover causes of equipment failures and to provide information to plant designers and operators on how these causes can be eliminated. A statistical approach to equipment failures and methods of system analysis, which are pertinent to reliability engineering, provides a means to evaluate the reliability of nuclear power plant systems and to contribute to increased plant safety and availability.

With the development of nuclear power plants, reliability engineering has evolved through three main stages.

The first period was from 1954 to 1974. About seven reactors were started construction each year until 1965, but by 1970, the construction of nuclear power plants was accelerated, and the following year construction on as many as 37 reactors had started. At the same time, the first oil shock