Development of experimental metal sphere-mass map of reactor vessel scale models

Abstract

Loose parts in coolant systems of a nuclear power plant (NPP) can damage structural integrity of the systems and loose part signals monitoring systems (LPMS) are installed in most of NPPs. LPMS detect impact signal of a loose part and generate alarm if amplitude of the signal is over preset level. If impact signal detected, mass estimation of the loose part must be carried out in order to see the effect of the part impact on structural integrity. A metal sphere-mass map, which shows relations between amplitude and center frequency of impact signals according to mass, is essential in mass evaluation of a loose part and the map built for US NPPs has been used so far. For the purpose of precise impact analysis suitable for Korean NPPs, this work discusses the development of a mass map of Korean Standard Nuclear Power Plant (KSNP) based on experimental data for scale models of a KSNP reactor vessel as tests for real NPP vessels under operation is actually impossible. Impact tests were carried out for scale models by using metal sphere with various mass and velocity. Amplitudes and center frequencies of impact signals were investigated based on time-frequency analysis and the mass map for each models were constructed based on the results. Blind tests were additionally implemented with metal sphere with unknown mass and velocity and verified feasibility of the proposed metal sphere mass map.