Integrated Risk-Informed Condition-Based Maintenance Capability and Automated Platform

ABSTRACT:

The primary objective of this proposed research project is to integrate advancements in online monitoring and data analytic techniques with advanced risk assessment methodologies to reduce operating costs and enhance the reliability of commercial nuclear power plants (NPPs).

One of the major contributors to the total operating costs today is the O&M costs which include labor-intense preventive maintenance (PM) program. The PM program involves manually-performed inspection, calibration, testing, and maintenance of plant assets at periodic frequency and time-based replacement of assets, irrespective of its condition. This has resulted in a labor-centric business model to achieve high capacity factors. It’s time to transition from this labor-centric business model to achieve optimal maintenance program. To enable this transition, a reliable method is needed based on available advanced technologies to support assessing the condition and risk of equipment failures. This transition will also enable nuclear plants in achieving capacity factors greater than 95%. Fortunately, there are technologies (advanced sensor, data analytics, and risk assessment methodologies) that can enable transition from a labor-centric business model to a technology-centric business model. The technology-centric business model will result in significant extension and reduction of time-based maintenance activities; thereby driving down the costs due to rising labor costs and declining technology costs. This approach will lay the foundation for real-time condition assessment of plant asset; allowing plants to undertake condition-based maintenance to enhance safety, reliability, and economics of operation.

The project outlines a comprehensive approach for successful research, development, and demonstration of an integrated risk-informed condition-based maintenance capability. This will enable risk-informed condition-based decision making to schedule maintenance activities without impacting plant operation; thereby reducing preventive maintenance frequencies and driving down costs. The pilot demonstration of the capability will be undertaken with Public Service Enterprise Service and Group (PSEG) Nuclear LLC at their Salem Nuclear Generating Station, and at the Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station.