Core monitoring system and core monitoring program

Abstract

To provide a reactor core monitoring technology comprising a screen display function having excellent overview and operability even on a small screen such as a portable terminal.SOLUTION: A reactor core monitoring system 10A comprises: a first registration unit 15a that registers position coordinates 11 defined in a coordinate system that represents a horizontal cross section of a reactor core 20; a collection unit 16 that collects characteristic values 14 that represent an internal state of the reactor core 20 by linking it to the position coordinates 11; a selection unit 17 that selects the position coordinates 11 based on a user operation; a second registration unit 15b that registers a display type 12 that defines a display format of the selected position coordinates 11; a designation unit 18 that designates the display type 12 based on the user operation; and a first generation unit 21 that generates a block image 23 that gradation-displays the characteristic values 14 at the position coordinates 11 based on the designated display type 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a core monitoring technology suitable for operation by a portable terminal.

Background Art

[0002] In a nuclear power plant, the nuclear characteristic values of in-core structures are collected through physical analysis by output distribution calculation, and the core state is monitored. This monitoring of the core state is carried out by displaying the nuclear characteristic values in accordance with the coordinate system representing the arrangement of in-core structures on a screen.

[0003] The core of a 1.1 million kW nuclear power plant is composed of 764 fuel assemblies, and core monitoring is performed by displaying the respective nuclear characteristic values on a screen. Specifically, 764 images are either displayed on a large-screen monitor to show the entire core or divided into several parts and displayed on multiple monitors so that they can be clearly visible, including character information and the like.

[0004] In a conventional core monitoring system, the above-described large-screen monitor or multiple monitors and an operation terminal with a fixed installation position are introduced in a central control room or a computer room. On the other hand, in on-site work such as fuel pattern adjustment or startup, portable terminals such as tablets and smartphones are used. These portable terminals are expected to be used not only for terminal operations at any location but also for monitoring the core state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Incidentally, conventional core monitoring systems, which used large-screen monitors to display the entire core or multiple monitors for split-screen display, displayed a large amount of information. However, portable terminals have small screen sizes, so the area of ​​interest is displayed in detail, making it difficult to immediately recognize whether the selected area is correct. As a result, the screen display function lacked overview and operability.

[0007] The embodiments of the present invention have been made in consideration of these circumstances, and aim to provide a core monitoring technology equipped with a screen display function that offers excellent overview and operability even on small screens such as those of portable terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The core monitoring system according to the embodiment includes: a first registration unit that registers position coordinates defined in a coordinate system representing the horizontal cross-section of the core; a collection unit that collects characteristic values ​​representing the internal state of the core and associates them with the position coordinates; a selection unit that selects the position coordinates based on user operation; a second registration unit that registers a display type that defines the display format of the selected position coordinates; a designation unit that specifies the display type based on user operation; and a first generation unit that generates a block image in which the characteristic values ​​at the position coordinates are displayed in grayscale based on the designated display type. The display type is defined such that the selected position coordinates are expanded over an m × n region. ru. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention provide a core monitoring technology equipped with a screen display function that offers excellent overview and operability even on small screens such as those of portable terminals. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing a core monitoring system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing a core monitoring system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3](A) Overall image of the horizontal cross-section of the reactor core, (B) Block image with a defined display format so that the selected position coordinates are expanded to an m x n area. [Figure 4] (A) Overall image of the horizontal cross-section of the reactor core, (B) Block images in which the display format is defined by multiple position coordinates selected at different intervals, and (C) Block images in which the display format is defined so as to further expand one position coordinate selected from the block images (Figure 4(B)) to an M×N area. [Figure 5] (A) Overall image of the horizontal cross-section of the divided reactor core, (B) Block images in which the display format is defined by the position coordinates of a group of divided sections. [Figure 6] A flowchart illustrating the algorithm for a core monitoring program according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a core monitoring system 10A(10) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. When such a core monitoring system 10A(10) is built on a portable terminal, the operation unit 25 and the display unit 26 are also realized as part of the functions of the portable terminal.

[0012] Thus, the core monitoring system 10A includes a first registration unit 15a that registers position coordinates 11 defined in a coordinate system representing the horizontal cross-section of the core 20, a collection unit 16 that collects characteristic values ​​14 representing the internal state of the core 20 and associates them with the position coordinates 11, a selection unit 17 that selects the position coordinates 11 based on user operation, a second registration unit 15b that registers a display type 12 that defines the display format of the selected position coordinates 11, a specification unit 18 that specifies the display type 12 based on user operation, and a first generation unit 21 that generates a block image 23 in which the characteristic values ​​14 at the position coordinates 11 are displayed in grayscale based on the specified display type 12.

[0013] The coordinate system may be defined by the position coordinates 11 of fuel bundles, fuel rods, or neutron monitors located in the core 20, but is not limited to these; it can also be defined by the position coordinates 11 of other in-core structures. In addition, in a coordinate system defined by the position coordinates 11 of fuel bundles, the position of an in-core structure may be defined by position coordinates 11 that surround it on all four sides, such as a fuel rod. Furthermore, the first registration unit 15a can register position coordinates 11 in coordinate systems of multiple horizontal cross-sections defined at intervals along the axial direction of the core 20. This makes it possible to register position coordinates 11 defined in a three-dimensional coordinate system as well as a two-dimensional one for the interior of the core 20.

[0014] Characteristic values ​​14 mainly include the output values ​​of detectors (not shown) placed in the core 20, such as the fuel power distribution and thermal limit distribution, and the results of calculations performed on these values. Specifically, these include the linear power density of the fuel bundle, the void fraction of the four fuel bundles surrounding the inserted control rod, and the excess reactivity of the fuel bundle. Such characteristic values ​​14 have a two-dimensional or three-dimensional distribution inside the core 20. Furthermore, characteristic values ​​14 may also indicate the attributes or state of in-reactor structures such as fuel bundles, fuel rods, or neutron monitors. Specifically, for fuel bundles, they may indicate attributes such as being MOX fuel made from recycled spent nuclear fuel, and for fuel rods, they may indicate the state such as the amount inserted.

[0015] The collection unit 16 collects characteristic values ​​14 that are distributed chronologically from the operating reactor core 20, linking them not only to the position coordinates 11 of the reactor core 20 but also to the time information. Characteristic values ​​14 collected in this way along with the time information are stored in the storage unit (not shown). On the other hand, characteristic values ​​14 that do not change chronologically (such as attribute information) can be collected and stored in advance by the user.

[0016] In the coordinate system of the horizontal cross-section of the core 20, the position coordinates 11 can be represented by discretization using the unit grid 27 (Fig. 3(A)). The display type 12 is set to define how to cut out the unit grid 27 in order to extract the block image 23 from a partial region of the coordinate system. Multiple patterns of the display type 12 are registered in the second registration unit 15b according to the shape and size of the block image 23 extracted from the horizontal cross-section of the core 20. Regarding the patterns of the display type 12 of the block image 23, they will be described later in Fig. 3(B), Fig. 4(B)(C), and Fig. 5(B), but the types of these patterns are not limited to these.

[0017] The selection unit 17 selects one or more position coordinates 11 from the coordinate system of the horizontal cross-section of the core 20 based on the user operation on the operation unit 25 of the portable terminal. Further, the operation unit 25 designates the display type 12 from the second registration unit 15b to the designation unit 18 to determine the display format of the block image 23 at the selected position coordinates 11. Further, in the designation unit 18, the area size of the block image 23 is also designated.

[0018] Specifically, centering on the unit grid 27 of the selected position coordinates 11, a plurality of surrounding unit grids 27 are combined to determine the display format of the block image 23. Alternatively, by the user operation of the operation unit 25, the block image 23 can be created and designated in a new display type 12 without being restricted to the existing display format.

[0019] The first generation unit 21 gradationally displays the characteristic values 14 corresponding to the respective position coordinates 11 for the unit grids 所27 constituting the block image 23. The block image 23 generated in this way is displayed on the display unit 26 of the portable terminal.

[0020] In this way, focusing on the in-furnace structure to be monitored, the position coordinates 11 and the area size of the coordinate system of the horizontal cross-section of the core 20 are set, and the block image 23 is generated. As a result, in the horizontal cross-section of the core 20, only the partial region to be compared and studied can be extracted, and the characteristic value 14 can be easily confirmed, realizing an improvement in the quality of core monitoring.

[0021] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a core monitoring system 10B (10) according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3(A) is an overall image 24 of a horizontal cross section of the core 20. The coordinate system of this overall image 24 is defined by the position coordinates 11 (unit grid 27) of a 30×30 fuel bundle. In FIG. 2, parts having the same configuration or function as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. [[ID=**6**]]

[0022] [[ID=**7**]] [[ID=**8**]]The core monitoring system 10B of the second embodiment further includes a second generation unit 22 in addition to the configuration of the core monitoring system 10A of the first embodiment. This second generation unit 22 generates an overall image 24 of a horizontal cross section of the core 20 in a coordinate system and displays it on the display unit 26. By generating the overall image 24 in this way, even with a small screen size such as a portable terminal, the overview of the entire core 20 can be maintained, and the screen of the monitoring area of interest can be enlarged and displayed by switching to the block image 23. [[ID=**9**]] [[ID=**10**]]

[0023] [[ID=**11**]] [[ID=**12**]]The core monitoring system 10B of the second embodiment further includes a third registration unit 15c in addition to the configuration of the core monitoring system 10A of the first embodiment. This third registration unit 15c registers setting conditions 13 for determining the position coordinates 11 and display type 12 for generating the block image 23 based on the collected characteristic values 14. Such setting conditions 13 can be set based on user operations on the operation unit 25 of the portable terminal. [[ID=**13**]] [[ID=**14**]]

[0024] [[ID=**15**]] [[ID=**16**]]Specific examples of such setting conditions 13 include determining the position coordinates 11 and display type 12 of the top 10 fuel bundles (in-core structures) with high line output density (characteristic value 14), determining the display type 12 for displaying the void fraction (characteristic value 14) at the position coordinates 11 of the 4 fuel bundles around the inserted control rod (in-core structure), determining the display type 12 for displaying the excess reactivity (characteristic value 14) at the position coordinates 11 of the fuel bundles exceeding the LPRM alarm limit value, and the like. [[ID=**17**]]

[0025] Furthermore, these setting conditions 13 can be set not only in a coordinate system of a common horizontal cross-section where the axial height of the reactor core 20 is set, but also in a coordinate system of multiple horizontal cross-sections separated by this axial distance. In addition, as setting conditions 13, in-reactor structures can be associated with a unit grid 27 of the coordinate system, or in-reactor structures that are sandwiched or surrounded by multiple such unit grids 27 can be associated. Moreover, in addition to using a coordinate system to which discrete position coordinates 11 such as the unit grid 27 are applied, a coordinate system to which continuous position coordinates 11 are also used.

[0026] Next, we will continue the explanation by illustrating various display types 12. According to the display type 12 applied in Figure 3(B), the block image 23a(23) is defined in a display format that expands the selected position coordinates 11 by an m × n region (m=n=3).

[0027] Specifically, the position coordinates 11 of the fuel bundle located at the center of the reactor core 20 are assumed to be (15,15). Then, assuming that the area size of the block image 23a is 3x3, a unit grid 27 of 9 points is specified: (14,14), (15,14), (16,14), (14,15), (15,15), (16,15), (14,16), (15,16), (16,16). The specified 9-point unit grid 27 is displayed as a single block image 23a on the display unit 26.

[0028] The block image 23a shown in Figure 3 allows the distribution of characteristic values ​​14 in the overall image 24 to be understood by displaying the characteristic values ​​14 in grayscale on the unit grid 27. Furthermore, by extracting the block image 23a from the overall image 24, the user can reliably and intuitively grasp the characteristic values ​​14 of the area they wish to check. In addition, by selecting position coordinates 11 from an overall overview of the reactor core 20, the block image 23a can be extracted, reducing misidentification of the reactor core 20's position and operational errors.

[0029] Figure 4(A) is an overall image 24 of the horizontal cross-section of the reactor core 20. According to the display type 12 applied in Figure 4(B), the display format is defined by multiple position coordinates 11 (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e) that are spaced apart from each other, resulting in a block image 23b. Here, the characteristic values ​​14 of the fuel bundles located around the control rods are displayed in grayscale.

[0030] According to the display type 12 applied in Figure 4(C), the block image 23c is created by defining the display format to further expand one position coordinate 11e selected from the block image 23b in Figure 4(B) to an M×N area.

[0031] In this way, based on user operations on the control unit 25 of the portable terminal, a portion of the area size of the block image 23b in Figure 4(B) can be expanded and displayed on the display unit 26. The expanded area size can also be further expanded or reduced.

[0032] The display type 12 applied in Figure 4(B) allows for the arbitrary extraction of a specific region of interest as a block image 23b, enabling more intuitive monitoring of the reactor core 20. However, areas outside the range of the extracted block image 23b are not displayed, which can hinder reactor core monitoring. Therefore, as shown in Figures 4(B) to 4(C), by requesting an enlarged block image 23c that includes the selected position coordinates 11e from within the block image 23b, the functionality of reactor core monitoring can be ensured. Furthermore, this helps the user intuitively understand the coordinates they are viewing, and simple screen operation is achieved while maintaining an overview of the reactor core 20.

[0033] Figure 5(A) is an overall image 24 of the horizontal cross-section of the divided reactor core 20 (divided into 5x5 sections in the illustration). Figure 5(B) is a block image 23d in which the display format is defined by a group of divided position coordinates 11 (unit grid 27). In the selection unit 17 (Figure 1), the coordinate system of the horizontal cross-section of the reactor core 20 is divided into a grid of block images 23. Then, a representative value of the characteristic value 14 is displayed for each of the divided block images 23. The representative value displayed may be the maximum, minimum, or average value of the characteristic value 14 at multiple position coordinates 11 that make up each block image 23, but there are no particular limitations. Figure 5(B) selectively displays the block image 23d with the largest representative value of the characteristic value 14 among the divided blocks.

[0034] According to the display type 12 applied in Figure 5, the selection unit 17 divides the overall image 24 into a grid rather than selecting a unit grid 27. This allows for comprehensive monitoring of the reactor core 20 rather than pinpointing specific points. Although various display types 12 have been illustrated above, the display types 12 applicable to the present invention are not limited to these, and while the example shows operation using a portable terminal with a small screen size, it can also be operated on a monitor with a larger screen size.

[0035] The algorithm for the core monitoring program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on the flowchart in Figure 6 (see Figure 2 as appropriate). First, position coordinates 11 defined in a coordinate system representing the horizontal cross-section of the core 20 are registered (S11). Then, characteristic values ​​14 representing the internal state of the core 20 are collected and linked to the position coordinates 11 (S12). Furthermore, a display type 12 that defines the display format of the selected position coordinates 11 is registered (S13).

[0036] Next, the position coordinates 11 are selected from the coordinate system based on user input (S14). Furthermore, the display type 12 is specified based on user input (S15). Then, a block image 23 is generated by grayscale displaying the characteristic value 14 at the position coordinates 11 based on the specified display type 12 (S16), and displayed on the display unit 26 (S17, END).

[0037] According to the core monitoring system of at least one embodiment described above, by generating block images with a specified display type from a horizontal cross-section of the core displayed in grayscale using characteristic values, it becomes possible to provide core monitoring technology with a screen display function that offers excellent overview and operability even on small screens such as portable terminals.

[0038] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents.

[0039] The core monitoring system described above comprises a control unit with highly integrated processors such as a dedicated chip, FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or CPU (Central Processing Unit), storage devices such as ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory), external storage devices such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), display devices such as a display, input devices such as a mouse or keyboard, and a communication interface. It can be implemented using a standard computer hardware configuration. Therefore, the components of the core monitoring system can be implemented using a computer processor and operated by a core monitoring program.

[0040] Furthermore, the core monitoring program may be provided pre-installed in ROM or similar media. Alternatively, this program may be provided as an installable or executable file stored on a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, memory card, DVD, or flexible disk (FD).

[0041] Furthermore, the core monitoring program according to this embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided for download via the network. Alternatively, the core monitoring system can be configured by connecting and combining separate modules, each independently performing its respective function, via a network or dedicated line. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0042] 10 (10A, 10B)...Core monitoring system, 11 (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d)...Position coordinates, 12...Display type, 13...Setting conditions, 14...Characteristic values, 15 (15a, 15b, 15c)...Registration unit, 16...Collection unit, 17...Selection unit, 18...Designation unit, 20...Core, 21...First generation unit, 22...Second generation unit, 23 (23a, 23b, 23c, 23d)...Block image, 24...Overall image, 25...Operation unit, 26...Display unit, 27...Unit grid.

Claims

1. A first registration unit that registers position coordinates defined in a coordinate system representing the horizontal cross-section of the reactor core, A collection unit that collects characteristic values ​​representing the internal state of the reactor core and links them to the position coordinates, A selection unit that selects the position coordinates based on user operation, A second registration unit registers a display type that defines the display format of the selected position coordinates, A designation unit that specifies the display type based on user operation, The system comprises a first generation unit that generates a block image in which the characteristic values ​​at the position coordinates are displayed in grayscale based on the specified display type, The aforementioned display type is a core monitoring system in which the display format is defined such that the selected position coordinates are expanded over an m x n region.

2. In the core monitoring system according to claim 1, The display type is a core monitoring system that defines the display format such that the block image is composed of a plurality of position coordinates selected at intervals from each other.

3. In the core monitoring system according to claim 2, The aforementioned display type is a core monitoring system that defines the display format so as to further extend one of the position coordinates selected from the block image by an M x N region.

4. A first registration unit that registers position coordinates defined in a coordinate system representing the horizontal cross-section of the reactor core, A collection unit that collects characteristic values ​​representing the internal state of the reactor core and links them to the position coordinates, A selection unit that selects the position coordinates based on user operation, A second registration unit registers a display type that defines the display format of the selected position coordinates, A designation unit that specifies the display type based on user operation, The system comprises a first generation unit that generates a block image in which the characteristic values ​​at the position coordinates are displayed in grayscale based on the specified display type, The aforementioned display type is a core monitoring system in which the display format is defined by a group of position coordinates obtained by dividing the coordinate system.

5. In the core monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A core monitoring system comprising a second generation unit that generates an overall image of the horizontal cross-section of the core in the aforementioned coordinate system.

6. In the core monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A core monitoring system comprising a third registration unit that registers setting conditions for determining the position coordinates and display type for generating the block image based on the collected characteristic values.

7. On the computer, A step to register position coordinates defined in a coordinate system representing the horizontal cross-section of the reactor core, A step of collecting characteristic values ​​representing the internal state of the reactor core and linking them to the position coordinates, A step of selecting the position coordinates based on user operation, A step of registering a display type that defines the display format of the selected position coordinates, A step of specifying the display type based on user operation, The procedure involves generating a block image in which the characteristic values ​​at the position coordinates are displayed in grayscale based on the specified display type, The display type is a core monitoring program in which the display format is defined such that the selected position coordinates are expanded over an m x n region.

8. A computer, A step to register position coordinates defined in a coordinate system representing the horizontal cross-section of the reactor core, A step of collecting characteristic values ​​representing the internal state of the reactor core and linking them to the position coordinates, A step of selecting the position coordinates based on user operation, A step of registering a display type that defines the display format of the selected position coordinates, A step of specifying the display type based on user operation, The procedure involves generating a block image in which the characteristic values ​​at the position coordinates are displayed in grayscale based on the specified display type, The aforementioned display type is a core monitoring program in which the display format is defined by a group of position coordinates obtained by dividing the coordinate system.

Images