Analysis of newly proposed setpoint methods

J. Wesley Hines, Don W. Miller, Steven A. Arndt

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

A new methodology for evaluating the operability of safety critical instrumentation has been proposed. Common to the prior method, a limiting trip setpoint (LSP) is determined to protect the analytical limit by considering uncertainties inherent in the measurement process. Channel operability is assured by periodically performing a channel operability test (COT) which compares the as-found trip point to the previous as-left trip point and evaluates the deviation. Licensees can include an additional conservative margin which results in a nominal trip setpoint (NSP) versus the LSP. If the setting tolerance is small as compared to the deviation limit, an alternate operability test can be applied that compares the as-found trip point to the LSP (or NSP as applicable) rather than the as-left trip setpoint. This method does not provide the actual channel deviation for operability determination so a penalty term may be appropriate. This paper provides an analysis of the alternate channel operability test and provides recommendations for setting a penalty term to reduce the non-conservativeness of the alternate channel operability test to a pre-defined value so as to preserve the required confidence level of the uncertainty analysis.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication5th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Plant Instrumentation Controls, and Human Machine Interface Technology (NPIC and HMIT 2006)
Pages1131-1138
Number of pages8
StatePublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes
Event5th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Plant Instrumentation Controls, and Human Machine Interface Technology (NPIC and HMIT 2006) - Albuquerque, NM, United States
Duration: Nov 12 2006Nov 16 2006

Publication series

Name5th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Plant Instrumentation Controls, and Human Machine Interface Technology (NPIC and HMIT 2006)
Volume2006

Conference

Conference5th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Plant Instrumentation Controls, and Human Machine Interface Technology (NPIC and HMIT 2006)
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAlbuquerque, NM
Period11/12/0611/16/06

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