CONDITION MONITORING SYSTEM FOR ROTATING EQUIPMENT IN A CANDU POWER PLANT.

This paper deals with the design and development of an on-line, computer managed condition monitoring system for major pumpsets in a CANDU nuclear generating station using vibration analysis. In total 124 pumps are monitored with 508 sensors. The monitoring system automatically performs baseline comparisons, generates trend plots, and performs vibration signature analysis to provide diagnostic information. The diagnostic function is implemented through a knowledge-based system. The diagnostic logic incorporated in this knowledge-based system automates the decision-making process that a vibration analyst would follow in evaluating a set of vibration signatures.