The application of radiation detection noise as an in situ method of surveillance and performance verification of nuclear instrumentation channels for reactor protection systems

Abstract The monitoring of “detection noise” as a method of surveillance of power plant nuclear instrumentation has been theoretically and experimentally evaluated. The evaluation employed simulated degradations and malfunctions of the neutron sensor and the signal cable to assess the change in the high frequency power spectral density of the random fluctuations in the current signal from the neutron sensor. The experimental measurements were completed with plant instrumentation channels installed in The Ohio State University Research Reactor and in an operating Pressurized Water Reactor. The results of this research demonstrate the feasibility of using detection noise “signatures” to detect degradation and malfunctions in power plant nuclear instrumentation.