Disturbance Analysis in Nuclear Power Plants

Abstract

For the purposes of this paper, disturbance analysis is any systematic procedure which helps an operator answer the question "What has failed?"

This paper describes the typical information currently provided in our CANDU plants to help the operator respond to a disturbance. It presents a simplified model of how an operator could get into trouble. It briefly reviews development work on computerized disturbance analysis systems for nuclear power plants being done in various countries including Canada. It also identifies some concerns associated with the design of disturbance analysis systems.