Developing an Algorithm for Determining Malfunctions in the Measuring Channels of the Acoustic Leak Control System

Abstract

Nowadays Russian and foreign NPP operate systems for monitoring coolant leakage at the primary circuit based on measuring the dispersion of generated acoustic signals (acoustic waves) propagating over the metal surface. In the acoustic leak monitoring systems provision are made to self-diagnosis of measuring channels, as well as an adaptive algorithm is applied that allows automatic readjusting to the use of neighboring measuring channels instead of those that have failed. At the same time, there may be such malfunctions in the system technical means that do not automatically diagnose the malfunction of the measuring channels, which may lead to the failure of the system function to determine the magnitude and coordinate of the leak of the primary circuit coolant. That is why, the task of developing algorithms for determining the malfunction of the measuring channels of the acoustic leak monitoring system, implemented using software without making changes to the technical means of the system, is urgent. An algorithm is proposed for determining the malfunction of the measuring channels of the acoustic leak control system using a test signal of increased duration. An analysis of the applicability of the algorithm was performed on a representative sample of signals from measuring channels of the acoustic leak monitoring system of campaign 2018--2019 Novovoronezh NPP-2 рower Unit no. 1. The proposed algorithm has been implemented in the testing mode at power Unit no. 1 of Novovoronezh NPP-2 since the start of a new campaign in July 2019