Charting and analysis of turbine maintenance procedures for increased safety in a nuclear power plant

Abstract

This project focuses on the development and analysis of the maintenance procedures for the gas power turbine in a PBMR nuclear power plant through the use of radiation-adjusted process flow diagrams. Potential hazards are exposed by applying radiation modelling to individual tasks in the process flow diagram. The identification of parallel tasks also reduces total task times resulting in shortened radiation exposure periods for maintenance staff. Radiation zones were applied to the flow diagrams to create a visual indicator of the degree of radiation hazard. By calculation of total exposure based on task times and radiation doses it is possible to calculate the manpower requirements for safe task completion and compare the feasibility of different maintenance approaches. Radiation safety equipment requirements are used to identify tasks which require review and recommendations are made for the mechanisation of certain tasks to improve safety and ergonomics.