Intelligent Condition Monitoring for Civil Nuclear Structures

860e2710-f4a8-4329-9f0e-312f95acbde8

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EPSRC
EPSRC
EPSRC
EPSRC
EPSRC

£605,430

June 16, 2013

May 26, 2016

Building on its successful feasibility study, where a potential 25% time-saving for machine fault diagnosis was
demonstrated, the consortium aims to achieve Intelligent Condition Monitoring (ICM) for the civil nuclear industry. This
project will enable Beran and EDF Energy to extend health monitoring to a wider range of machinery, structures and new
civil nuclear plants.
The technology adopted is derived from a physical understanding of non-linearities arising from degradation of
components, utilising expertise in prognostic algorithms from the University of Bristol. The analysis tools will utilise methods
already used extensively in the aerospace and medical sector, which will be adapted for use within nuclear power plant
systems. Industry benefits include increased accuracy, reliability and safety, greater availability of plant through predictive
maintenance, improved operator intelligence, resulting in enhanced plant performance and reduced operating costs.

Potential Impact:
This project will develop new technologies to support UK business in the civil nuclear industry and strengthen the supply
chain. The previous TSB-supported feasibility study demonstrated an EDF-endorsed potential 25% time-saving for
vibration condition monitoring. The technology developed during this project will be embedded within new and existing off- line and on-line monitoring instrumentation for structural health monitoring.
Economic Impacts -
The project will provide additional skilled employment and job security within the rural Torridge community (Tier 3 status),
consisting of 1.5 new engineers at Beran Instruments Ltd during development, and an additional 12 new employees 5
years following project completion (Appendix A of TSB Application). Both EDF and Beran will benefit from increased levels
of R&D within their organisations, with increased SME R&D spend estimated at 10%. Beran will be ideally placed to apply
these new techniques and equipment within a short timeframe, through its existing business with EDF Energy, where its
On-Line Vibration Monitoring Systems are currently being utilised to assess and maintain the health of plant assets,
including Turbines, Main Boiler Feed Pumps, Gas Circulators and Reactor Fuel Channel Components. The new ICM
product will form a spearhead for Beran's export development, contributing ongoing economic growth as part of the UK's
Manufacturing Export Strategy.
Economic benefits to the nuclear industry include:
1) Reduction in the number of unplanned plant outages;
2) Maintenance cost savings, as defective components are replaced before catastrophic damage occurs;
3) CM benefits to the smaller BOP market, where operators previously could not make a business case due to the
additional administration / cost burden associated with continuous monitoring.
Societal Impacts -
ICM as part of the Nuclear Industry's overall strategy will positively enhance the public perception in terms of EDF Energy's
operational safety. Indirectly, the new ICM product will help reduce the risk of blackouts, along with the resulting impact to
consumers in the wider economy.
The results of the project will also be proposed as part of the Royal Society Summer Exhibition, to demonstrate the
importance of the energy sector and its effect on society.
Environmental Impacts -
ICM's advanced anomaly detection will reduce the risk of catastrophic plant failure and pollution, where the consequences
of mechanical break-up are serious and costly to repair. The solutions prognostic capabilities will allow informed decisions
to be made about maintenance cycles and plant life extensions, helping optimise fuel usage and minimise waste.
Diversification of the technology within the Fossil Fuel and Renewables industries will help reduce CO2 emissions.