Systems and methods for monitoring a power-generation module assembly after a power-generation module shutdown event

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to providing a user interface (UI) that streamlines and simplifies the process of monitoring critical power-generation module (PGM) parameters after a PGM assembly is shutdown. The UI displays, in real-time, indicators corresponding to one or more post-shutdown PGM parameters. The UI provides indications of whether the post-shutdown PGM parameters meet post-shutdown criteria of the PGM assembly. When a post-shutdown PGM parameter does not meet the post-shutdown criteria, a user alert is provided to the user. A protocol may additionally be provided to the user. In some embodiments, the protocol may enable the user to return the PGM assembly to a condition that satisfies the post-shutdown criteria. The protocol may be a safety protocol and/or an asset protection protocol.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A method for monitoring one or more power-generation module (PGM) assemblies:
 detecting an event corresponding to a shutdown of the one or more PGM assemblies, wherein the one or more PGM assemblies generates at least one of post-shutdown heat, pressure, or radioactivity;   in response to the event, receiving, by a computer device, one or more signals from the one or more PGM assemblies, wherein the one or more signals corresponds to one or more PGM parameters associated with at least one of the post-shutdown heat, pressure, or the radioactivity generated by the one or more PS assemblies;   employing the computer device to provide the one or more PGM parameters; and   employing the computer device to provide one or more user alerts based on the one or more PGM parameters and one or more corresponding parameter thresholds.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 employing the computer device to provide one or more user selections based on the one or more user alerts;   employing the computer device to receive one or more selections of the one or more user selections; and   employing the computer device to provide one or more protocols based on the one or more selections by the user.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 employing the computer device to provide a containment isolation window, wherein the containment isolation window displays at least a first PGM parameter indicating a pressure within a containment vessel of the one or more PGM assemblies, a second PGM parameter indicating a configuration of a valve coupled to the containment vessel, and one or more user selections.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 employing the computer device to provide a reactivity control window, wherein the reactivity control window displays at least a first PGM parameter indicating an effective neutron multiplication factor associated with a core of the one or more PGM assemblies, a second PGM parameter indicating a configuration of one or more circuit breakers associated with one or more actuators that position a plurality of control rods within the core, and one or more user selections.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 employing the computer device to provide a core cooling window, wherein the core cooling window displays at least a first PGM parameter indicating a pressure within a stream generator of the one or more PGM assemblies, a second PGM parameter indicating a temperature within the steam generator, and a third PGM parameter indicating a configuration of a valve regulating a flow rate of a coolant through a heat exchanger of the one or more PGM assemblies.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more signals are generated by one or more diagnostic sensors included in the one or more PGM assemblies and the one or more signals are received, by the computer device, from a module protection data hub. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more user alerts include a first user alert indicating a current risk factor associated with an asset of a power plant that includes the one or more PGM assemblies. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 employing the computer device to provide a safety protocol, wherein the safety protocol is directed towards mitigating the current risk factor associated with the asset of the power plant.   
     
     
         9 . A processor readable non-transitory storage media that includes instructions for monitoring one or more power-generation module (PGM) assemblies, wherein execution of the instructions by a processor device performs actions, the actions comprising:
 detecting an event corresponding to a shutdown of the one or more PGM assemblies, wherein the one or more PGM assemblies generates at least one of post-shutdown heat, pressure, or radioactivity;   in response to the event, receiving one or more signals from the one or more PGM assemblies, wherein the one or more signals corresponds to one or more PGM parameters associated with at least one of the post-shutdown heat, pressure, or the radioactivity generated by the one or more PS assemblies;   providing the one or more PGM parameters; and   providing one or more user alerts based on the one or more PGM parameters and one or more corresponding parameter thresholds.   
     
     
         10 . The media of  claim 9 , the actions further comprising:
 providing one or more user selections based on the one or more user alerts;   receiving one or more selections of the one or more user selections; and   providing one or more protocols based on the one or more selections by the user.   
     
     
         11 . The media of  claim 9 , the actions further comprising:
 providing a containment isolation window, wherein the containment isolation window displays at least a first PGM parameter indicating a pressure within a containment vessel of the one or more PGM assemblies, a second PGM parameter indicating a configuration of a valve coupled to the containment vessel, and one or more user selections.   
     
     
         12 . The media of  claim 9 , the actions further comprising:
 providing a reactivity control window, wherein the reactivity control window displays at least a first PGM parameter indicating an effective neutron multiplication factor associated with a core of the one or more PGM assemblies, a second PGM parameter indicating a configuration of one or more circuit breakers associated with one or more actuators that position a plurality of control rods within the core, and one or more user selections.   
     
     
         13 . The media of  claim 9 , the actions further comprising:
 providing a core cooling window, wherein the core cooling window displays at least a first PGM parameter indicating a pressure within a stream generator of the one or more PGM assemblies, a second PGM parameter indicating a temperature within the steam generator, and a third PGM parameter indicating a configuration of a valve regulating a flow rate of a coolant through a heat exchanger of the one or more PGM assemblies.   
     
     
         14 . The media of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more signals are generated by one or more diagnostic sensors included in the one or more PGM assemblies and the one or more signals are received from a module protection data hub. 
     
     
         15 . A system for monitoring one or more power-generation module (PGM) assemblies, the system comprising:
 a memory that stores at least instructions; and   a processor device that executes instructions that perform actions, the actions comprising:
 detecting an event corresponding to a shutdown of the one or more PGM assemblies, wherein the one or more PGM assemblies generates at least one of post-shutdown heat, pressure, or radioactivity; 
 in response to the event, receiving one or more signals from the one or more PGM assemblies, wherein the one or more signals corresponds to one or more PGM parameters associated with at least one of the post-shutdown heat, pressure, or the radioactivity generated by the one or more PS assemblies; 
 providing the one or more PGM parameters; and 
 providing one or more user alerts based on the one or more PGM parameters and one or more corresponding parameter thresholds. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , the actions further comprising:
 providing one or more user selections based on the one or more user alerts;   receiving one or more selections of the one or more user selections; and   providing one or more protocols based on the one or more selections by the user.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , the actions further comprising:
 providing a containment isolation window, wherein the containment isolation window displays at least a first PGM parameter indicating a pressure within a containment vessel of the one or more PGM assemblies, a second PGM parameter indicating a configuration of a valve coupled to the containment vessel, and one or more user selections.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , the actions further comprising:
 providing a reactivity control window, wherein the reactivity control window displays at least a first PGM parameter indicating an effective neutron multiplication factor associated with a core of the one or more PGM assemblies, a second PGM parameter indicating a configuration of one or more circuit breakers associated with one or more actuators that position a plurality of control rods within the core, and one or more user selections.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , the actions further comprising:
 providing a core cooling window, wherein the core cooling window displays at least a first PGM parameter indicating a pressure within a stream generator of the one or more PGM assemblies, a second PGM parameter indicating a temperature within the steam generator, and a third PGM parameter indicating a configuration of a valve regulating a flow rate of a coolant through a heat exchanger of the one or more PGM assemblies.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more user alerts include a first user alert indicating a current risk factor associated with an asset of a power plant that includes the one or more PGM assemblies.