Abstract

The analysis of open phase conditions (OPC) at nuclear power plants represents an analytically complex industry challenge. As part of Sargent & Lundy’s ongoing efforts to advance research to improve detection and mitigation analysis for all OPCs, the firm is pleased to release a white paper summarizing an analytical approach for modeling and analysis of nuclear plant auxiliary systems under OPCs on plant auxiliary transformers.

In the following white paper, Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Functional Requirements are addressed, with specific focus on the requirement stipulating that if the offsite power circuit is degraded due to the OPC, the affected safety-related buses should be automatically transferred to a reliable alternate power source, while ensuring that no equipment is damaged or tripped. Test cases are presented to demonstrate the behavior of transformers and induction motors under OPCs.

An open event can impact a plant during any operating mode, including non-operational plants if fuel is still in the spent fuel pool. Sargent & Lundy is the leader in identifying, designing, and installing comprehensive solutions to address the OPC issue.

Authors: Michael Urbina, Jusuf (Joe) Krvavac, Alicia Allen, Eric Hope, Jan Wisniewski

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White Paper: Fast Bus Transfers For Open Phase Analysis at Nuclear Power Plants