On-Line Vibration Monitoring and Analysis System at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant

摘要

For over forty years, gaseous diffusion has been the primary method of enriching uranium for power generating nuclear reactors and national defense. The Department of Energy enrichment facility in Paducah, KY uses a unique hard-wired vibration monitoring and analysis system for gaseous diffusion equipment. The axial flow and centrifugal flow compressors used in uranium enrichment range in size from 6 feet in diameter to less than one foot in diameter. These compressors must operate smoothly and safely, without breech of containment, since the working fluid of gaseous diffusion is gaseous uranium hexafluoride, a harmful reactive substance. The condition of 1,925 compressors is monitored by use of the 2,500 point vibration analysis system. Since the failure mechanisms of the compressors are well known and documented, only one accelerometer per machine is needed for most machines. The system is completely automated and can generate spectra or broadband levels in either acceleration or velocity units. Levels are stored for historical review. The analyst can, via a custom telecommunications link, view and analyze data from all monitored points with an office PC.