US4064392A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Engineered safeguards systems and method in nuclear power plant training simulator
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1974-10-31
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Granted: 1977-12-20
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Expires: 1994-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for simulating the dynamic real-time operation of a nuclear power plant wherein a plurality of remote control devices provide input data to a digital computer to calculate physical values corresponding to plant operation to operate indicating devices for monitoring the physical operation of the plant. The simulation includes an electrical network calculation technique for solving a complex fluid flow network whereby non-linearity is applied by coefficient variation at subsequent time steps. Several engineered safeguards systems, including the accumulator system is disclosed. The safety injection system simulation is further characterized by a different network for each path that can be utilized in operation. The residual heat removal system is modeled to provide a path through each of the heat exchangers including the bypass around pumps for warming up pumps during start-up. The simulation of boron regulation in the reactor includes a fast rate of boration, a slow rate of deboration and uniform boration in the reactor and is characterized by modeling the boration for reactor and entire reactor coolant loop as one tank, with delay incorporated into the boration at the rector portion for indicating the delays in the boric acid input of the safety injection system. The chemical and volume control system simulation is characterized by several functional subdivisions for letdown and charging. The seal flow system for reactor coolant pumps incorporates in the simulation time delays caused by temperature changes during reverse flow through pump seals. The component cooling system simulation is characterized by several continuous flow loops with the amount of surge flow dependent on change of density of the component cooling water.
Inventors
- 👤 Adewunmi A. Desalu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:19
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21D; G21D3/00; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An automated training simulator for the real-time dynamic operation of a nuclear power plant having an engineered safeguards system which includes a non-linear fluid flow network, comprising a control console having command devices operable to generate input data values; calculating means including sequence controlling means having the following components, a. means responsive to the input data to generate a data value relating to flow in the fluid flow network in accordance with a linear equation and a stored constant, b. means to generate a data value relating to a non-linear coefficient in accordance with the generated data value relating to flow; and indicating means governed by the generated flow data value to indicate a physical value for the fluid flow network.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
An automated training simulator for the real-time dynamic operation of a nuclear power plant having an engineered safeguards system which includes a non-linear fluid flow network, comprising a control console having command devices operable to generate input data values; calculating means including sequence controlling means having the following components, a. means responsive to the input data to generate a data value relating to flow in the fluid flow network in accordance with a linear equation and a stored constant, b. means to generate a data value relating to a non-linear coefficient in accordance with the generated data value relating to flow; and indicating means governed by the generated flow data value to indicate a physical value for the fluid flow network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A simulator according to claim 1 wherein the calculating means further comprises means to add a data value relating to fluid inertia to the non-linear coefficient data value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A simulator according to claim 1 wherein the fluid flow network corresponds to a residual heat removal system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A simulator according to claim 1 wherein the fluid flow network corresponds to a safety injection system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
A simulator according to claim 4 wherein the safety injection system includes plant components common to other fluid networks in the plant and provides a plurality of different paths for different components in accordance with the operational state of the plant, said calculating means further including, means to generate data values for a selected path of the safety injection system, and means to select a safety injection path in accordance with the operational state of the plant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A simulator according to claim 1 wherein the fluid flow network corresponds to a chemical and volume control system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
A simulator according to claim 6 wherein the chemical and volume control system includes a regulator for operating a predetermined valve for controlling the volume of fluid, said value being in parallel connection with a predetermined valve, said calculating means further including means to generate a predetermined minimum admittance valve for the parallel connected valve for generating a data value relating to the closed position of the predetermined valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A simulator according to claim 7 wherein the calculating means is structured in a programmed digital computer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
139 words
A simulator according to claim 1 wherein the calculating means further comprises, c. means to generate a data value relating to pressure for each of a predetermined number of locations at the downstream side of valves in the network in accordance with a data value relating to the admittance of each valve, d. means to generate the admittance data value of each valve in accordance with data values relating to specific volume and flow through a respective valve, e. means to compare the pressure data value at the inlet location of the network to the generated pressure data value at the outlet location of the network, and f. means to generate iteratively data values relating to flow in the predetermined locations until the pressure data value at the outlet is equal to the pressure data value at the inlet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A simulator according to claim 9 wherein the generated data values relating to pressure are calculated sequentially from the inlet to the outlet in the direction of fluid flow, and the iterative calculation of flow data values is sequential from the outlet to the inlet counter the direction of flow.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
A simulator according to claim 10 wherein the iterative calculation of the flow data value is in accordance with the formula W = G(ΔP)/Vw where W is the flow data value, G is the valve admittance data value, Δ P is the pressure difference, and Vw is the specific volume of the fluid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A simulator according to claim 9 wherein the fluid flow network corresponds to a residual heat removal system and includes a flow feedback path in parallel with a residual heat removal pump connecting two pressure locations on opposite sides of the pump.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A simulator according to claim 9 wherein the calculating means is structured in a programmed digital computer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A simulator according to claim 1 wherein the calculating means is structured in a programmed digital computer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
181 words
An automated training simulator for the realtime dynamic operation of a nuclear power plant having an engineered safeguards system including a reactor vessel connected to a reactor coolant loop into which boric acid is capable of being injected from a boric acid tank, comprising a control console having command devices operable to generate input data values; calculating means including sequence controlling means having the following components, a. means to generate a data value relating to reactor coolant loop flow and data values relating to nuclear reactor operation, b. means to generate data values relating to boron concentration in the reactor coolant loop in accordance with generated data values relating to reactor coolant system flow into and out of a reactor coolant system, c. means to generate data values relating to boron concentration for governing the data values relating to nuclear reactor operation, d. means to delay the data values relating to a change in boron concentration in accordance with the data value relating to reactor coolant loop flow; and indicating means responsive to the generated data values to monitor plant operation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
181 words
An automated training simulator for the realtime dynamic operation of a nuclear power plant having an engineered safeguards system including a reactor vessel connected to a reactor coolant loop into which boric acid is capable of being injected from a boric acid tank, comprising a control console having command devices operable to generate input data values; calculating means including sequence controlling means having the following components, a. means to generate a data value relating to reactor coolant loop flow and data values relating to nuclear reactor operation, b. means to generate data values relating to boron concentration in the reactor coolant loop in accordance with generated data values relating to reactor coolant system flow into and out of a reactor coolant system, c. means to generate data values relating to boron concentration for governing the data values relating to nuclear reactor operation, d. means to delay the data values relating to a change in boron concentration in accordance with the data value relating to reactor coolant loop flow; and indicating means responsive to the generated data values to monitor plant operation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A simulator according to claim 15 wherein the calculating means is structured in a programmed digital computer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
144 words
An automated training simulator for the realtime dynamic operation of a nuclear power plant having an engineered safeguard system including a surge tank for cooling plant components, comprising a control console having command devices operable to generate input data values; calculating means including sequence controlling means having the following components, a. means to generate a data value relating to average temperature of the fluid in the component cooling system in accordance with a mixing equation, b. means to generate a data value relating to the specific volume of the fluid, c. means to generate a data value relating to a change in specific volume in accordance with said generated values, d. means to generate a data value relating to surge flow in the tank in accordance with the generated specific volume data value; and indicating means operative in accordance with the generated data values.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
144 words
An automated training simulator for the realtime dynamic operation of a nuclear power plant having an engineered safeguard system including a surge tank for cooling plant components, comprising a control console having command devices operable to generate input data values; calculating means including sequence controlling means having the following components, a. means to generate a data value relating to average temperature of the fluid in the component cooling system in accordance with a mixing equation, b. means to generate a data value relating to the specific volume of the fluid, c. means to generate a data value relating to a change in specific volume in accordance with said generated values, d. means to generate a data value relating to surge flow in the tank in accordance with the generated specific volume data value; and indicating means operative in accordance with the generated data values.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
72 words
A simulator according to claim 17 wherein the surge tank is divided by a baffle into two sections and the surge flow is generated for each part of the tank, wherein the calculating means includes, means to generate a data value relating to the mass of water in each tank section, and means to generate a data value relating to overflow across the baffle in accordance with the generated mass data values.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A simulator according to claim 18 wherein the calculating means is structured in a programmed digital computer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A simulator according to claim 17 wherein the calculating means is structured in a programmed digital computer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
160 words
An automated training simulator for the realtime dynamic operation of a nuclear power plant having an engineered safeguard system that includes a seal flow system for the reactor coolant pumps, comprising a control console having command devices operable to generate input data; calculating means including sequence controlling means having the following components, a. means to generate data values relating to pressure drop across the pump seals in accordance with generated data values including reactor coolant system flow data values, b. means to generate data values relating to return flow from the pump seals in accordance with data values related to bypass flow, c. means to generate data values relating to seal temperatures in accordance with generated data values relating to reactor coolant system temperature, d. means to generate data values relating to seal water temperature at a predetermined rate at times when the inlet flow data is below a predetermined amount; and indicating means governed by the generated data values.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
160 words
An automated training simulator for the realtime dynamic operation of a nuclear power plant having an engineered safeguard system that includes a seal flow system for the reactor coolant pumps, comprising a control console having command devices operable to generate input data; calculating means including sequence controlling means having the following components, a. means to generate data values relating to pressure drop across the pump seals in accordance with generated data values including reactor coolant system flow data values, b. means to generate data values relating to return flow from the pump seals in accordance with data values related to bypass flow, c. means to generate data values relating to seal temperatures in accordance with generated data values relating to reactor coolant system temperature, d. means to generate data values relating to seal water temperature at a predetermined rate at times when the inlet flow data is below a predetermined amount; and indicating means governed by the generated data values.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
A simulator according to claim 21 wherein the calculating means is structured in a programmed digital computer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
233 words
An automated training simulator for the realtime dynamic operation of a nuclear power plant having an engineered safeguard system that includes an accumulator system having at least one accumulator tank for automatically discharging coolant water into the reactor coolant loops when the pressure in the loop is below a predetermined amount, comprising a control console having command devices for generating input data values; calculating means including sequence controlling means having the following components, a. means to sense a data value relating to pressure in the accumulator tank, b. means to sense a data value relating to liquid mass in the accumulator tank, c. means to generate data values relating to valve admittances in accordance with a predetermined minimum mass data value, d. means to generate a data value relating to accumulator system pressure in accordance with a generated data value relating to accumulator tank pressure, e. means to generate a data value relating to accumulator system flow in accordance with generated data value relating to pressure and a fluid inertia data value, f. means to generate a data value relating to accumulator tank pressure in accordance with a vapor pressure data value, g. means to generate data values relating to the open condition of accumulator system valves when the reactor coolant system pressure is less than the accumulator system pressure, and indicating means governed by the generated data values to monitor plant operation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
233 words
An automated training simulator for the realtime dynamic operation of a nuclear power plant having an engineered safeguard system that includes an accumulator system having at least one accumulator tank for automatically discharging coolant water into the reactor coolant loops when the pressure in the loop is below a predetermined amount, comprising a control console having command devices for generating input data values; calculating means including sequence controlling means having the following components, a. means to sense a data value relating to pressure in the accumulator tank, b. means to sense a data value relating to liquid mass in the accumulator tank, c. means to generate data values relating to valve admittances in accordance with a predetermined minimum mass data value, d. means to generate a data value relating to accumulator system pressure in accordance with a generated data value relating to accumulator tank pressure, e. means to generate a data value relating to accumulator system flow in accordance with generated data value relating to pressure and a fluid inertia data value, f. means to generate a data value relating to accumulator tank pressure in accordance with a vapor pressure data value, g. means to generate data values relating to the open condition of accumulator system valves when the reactor coolant system pressure is less than the accumulator system pressure, and indicating means governed by the generated data values to monitor plant operation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
A simulator according to claim 23 wherein the calculating means is structured in a programmed digital computer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3061945A
Cited
US3237318A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-19 | 1981-06-20 | 1981-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-19 | 1985-06-20 | 1985-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-19 | 1989-06-20 | 1989-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |